The next morning I find myself, by some bizarre miracle…at the foot of the bed, blinking awake with my face pressed against Jackson’s chest.God, how did I even get here? I yawn and reach up a hand to rub my eyes. Did I like…crawl down here in my sleep?“We’re never doing this again,” Jackson murmur
“Okay, buddy,” I say with a grin. “Juice me up.”“Don’t call me buddy,” he mutters, “or Jacky. Or anything that ends in -ie.”“Yes, puppy,” I sigh, my grin deepening. But Jackson just rolls his eyes before he closes them and begins to concentrate again. Immediately I feel the energy fill me, a warm
We make it through our run in record time, I think each of us feeling Jackson’s nearly limitless energy flowing through us and grateful for it.“Seriously,” Jesse says, beaming at Jacks. “You should bottle this stuff. Sell it on the black market. Make millions.”“I don’t need millions,” Jackson murm
But my fingers just slip away from it even as I try to turn.What – what!?I gasp in fear and frustration, hauling on the door, trying to turn the lock – but it won’t budge, no matter how much I wrench my wrist -Suddenly arms are around my waist and I scream bloody murder as I’m hauled away from th
I scream as the boys come through the door, as Alvez hauls hard on my arm, pulling me up and spinning me around, clasping me to his chest with one arm while the other shoots out towards Jackson and Luca, who barrel forward.I feel the dark power streaming out of Alvez and heading towards the boys. D
No, they’re tangible things, wrapping hard around Alvez’s neck, his limbs, his body, extensions of Jesse’s will.“Who are you,” Jesse growls, his voice echoing in the room, bizarrely doubled so that it sounds like there are two of him – one his normal voice, one much deeper – a dark purr. “What the
“He cannot kill me,” the God says, laughing darkly as I come closer. Suddenly a hand lashes out, hitting Jesse hard in the chest and sending him sprawling down on the ground next to Rafe. But even as he falls away, Jesse’s shadows stay tight around the god before us, winding around him. “Even if th
Luca gets to me first, pulling me hard against his chest, tucking his head down against my shoulder. But Jackson’s here too, at my side, taking my chin in his hands and turning it towards him.“Ariel,” Jackson whispers, desperate, “are you…all right?”Slowly I nod, staring at him, unable to do more
Ariel bursts out laughing and gestures out to the rest of the roof. “Of all the interference to our plans, you’re going to point out this tiny, adorable, sleeping infant pup as the problem!?” Both boys look down at the little dark-haired baby, whose amber eyes flicker open to betray her mother’s w
Jesse sighs, glancing at his watch and then looking to the door, an undrunk glass of champagne in his hand. “Where the hell is your damn sister?” “Your damn cousin,” Rafe murmurs, draining his glass and then pouring himself another. “You’d better stop that,” Jesse says, turning his head to Rafe
She goes still for a moment and then laces her fingers with his, squeezes his hand. “We’re not dating or anything,” she snaps. “Just…because you got all rejected and stuff. I didn’t come running up here just because you’re single – I thought you were going to die –“ “Sure, you didn’t,” Jesse says,
“I love you, Jesse,” Midnight whispers, watching him, her little mouth trembling, her entire body feeling weak. “I love you too, Mids,” he replies. “Always.” She nods once. And then disappears. Midnight fights hard against her emotions as she flits through the castle, moving back and forth bet
“I’m saying,” Midnight says, freely crying now, cupping Jesse’s face in her tiny hands. “That I – I don’t want to have your pups, Jesse. Ever. Ever. I don’t want them.” She shakes her head, vehement. “I think I’d be a bad mom. I’d leave them at the grocery store and forget they were there. I – I jus
She has to admit though…the stars are a pleasant addition. Midnight’s wolf gives a little worried howl, sprawled out in her soul, her little legs too weak to carry her much or far these days. But Midnight smiles a little and strokes a mental hand over her wolf’s fur, pleased to see her free and cl
“What,” Jackson asks, frowning down at the little rectangular stone in his hands. “Is it like, special?” “Jackson!” Midnight hisses, standing on her toes to smack him on the chest. “They’re invaluable! This is only the second I’ve ever seen in the world! And I only know of one besides that other o
I laugh, pointing at the big plate of apple pie on the table. “Well, I’m glad to see that you’re feeling cheerful,” I say, grinning at her. “I am!” she says, happily plopping down next to Jesse and reaching for the pie, pulling it all onto her lap and digging in with a fork. “I don’t think that an
Jesse’s eyes open first, and then Midnight’s, slow and sleepy. “How do you feel?” I ask quietly, leaning towards her, able to see her better now in the dawn light that streams through the windows. “What happened?” Jackson asks. I turn to see him standing at the door and I smile, reaching out a h