Page 91 of Enchanted

Rami smiled softly. “You’ve already decided to make him your new best friend, haven’t you?”

“Maybe.” I fiddled with my T-shirt. “Might be nice to bring my grand total of friends up to two.”

“Think you’ll find Sam will be very offended if he’s not already part of that number. The twins too, although fuck them. They don’t deserve to be there after their little stunt.”

The grumpiness in Rami’s tone had me laughing. “Yeah, I’m not sure offering to pose nude is the start of a great friendship.”

“Unfortunately, they will bug the shit out of you until they can be classed as your friends too. They’re stubborn like that.” He pulled up outside a townhouse and switched off the engine. “But enough about them. Are you ready to meet your new housemates?”

I fiddled with my T-shirt. “You’re awfully confident that they’re going to offer me a room.”

“They will. Come on, let’s go.”

He dashed around the car to open my door and I couldn’t help but smile. That was until my gaze slid past him to the house. On the doorstep stood three people, all watching me intently.

The woman was stunning. Delicate tattoos were visible on every inch of skin on display. Piercings glinted in the sunlight and her dark hair was dyed pink on the ends. She looked like the kind of person I’d always wanted to be friends with, but been far too intimidated to approach.

Behind her stood two men. They were both tall and lean, but that was where all similarities stopped. The one on the left was still, like a storm waiting to be unleashed. His long, dark hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail. Arms folded, he studied me so intently it almost had me wanting to hide behind Rami.

Meanwhile, the other guy was hopping up and down on the spot, his shaggy hair bobbing with the movement. There was a bowl of cereal in his hand, milk sloshing down his front. He too was staring, open curiosity in his expression.

I gulped, suddenly feeling intimidated. I reversed until my back hit Rami’s chest. His big arms looped around me immediately, lending me his strength.

Just then, the guy holding the cereal bowl gave me a wide smile. Sloshing yet more milk over the sides, he waved excitedly. “Hi! You must be Ethan.”

The woman, Dahlia, looked at him incredulously. “Who the fuck else would he be?”

Darius gave a huff, crossing his arms. “Told you all we should’ve waited inside. Coming out here creeped him out.”

Light bickering broke out between the three of them, and all the anxiety fled. A small smile tugged at my lips.

I thought I’d fit in here just fine.

Chapter 25

Rami

Ethan had no need to be nervous. He might not have known it, but this room was guaranteed. I’d made one phone call to Dahlia, telling her my mate needed somewhere safe to stay, and she’d immediately agreed.

I hated that I couldn’t just tell Ethan this and remove his anxiety. Knowing him though, he’d probably still be worried about making a good impression.

I stepped into the house after Ethan, introducing him to the three demons one at a time. Darius shook his hand briefly, offering him a tentative smile before stepping back into the shadows. Dahlia gave him a quick hug, lamenting how thin he felt under her grip. Quill, meanwhile, shoved his bowl at me then hugged Ethan like he was a long-lost family member, not someone he was meeting for the first time.

I was about to intercede on Ethan’s behalf, slightly concerned about how red he was turning, when Quill finally let him go. He held him at arm’s length, an infectious grin on his face. “We’re going to be great friends. Trust me, I know these things.”

“Only if he doesn’t eat cereal,” Dahlia drawled, her eyes meeting Ethan’s. “If you do, prepare to keep it padlocked and in your room at all times.”

Quill looked outraged. “I would never touch any of Ethan’s stuff. Don’t put him off moving in before he’s even seen the place.”

Dahlia was about to respond, but Darius stopped her by stepping forwards again. “Ignore them, Ethan. If you do move in here, you might want to invest in earplugs, because they argue literally all the time.”

“We do not!”

My lips twitched. That would’ve been more convincing if they hadn’t said it in stereo before immediately continuing to argue.

I shot an anxious glance at Ethan. Moving in here was the safest option for him, what with Gloria and that fucking vampire Damien sniffing around. This house was warded by every member of the Seraphim, plus all the demons in their circle. No one would be able to get past it all.

And even if they did? Well, they’d have to get through the combined skills of Dahlia, Darius, and Quill before getting to Ethan. That was before we even took the proximity of the compound into consideration. The entire unit would descend as soon as anyone dared cross the wards.