“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
Rafe doesn’t respond, just looks up at Jesse. “Can you do anything? To…tell if he’s still in there?”“If who’s still in…where…” Alvez murmurs, raising a hand to his forehead and pressing it over his eyes like he has one hell of a headache.I watch, completely still in Jackson’s arms, as Jesse’s shad
Three hours later, everything has changed.We’re still in the room, having sent word to our professors that we’re all…indisposed for the day. But mom is sitting on a cushion on the floor with Rafe’s dark head in her lap, softly stroking her favorite’s hair as he lays on a series of soft blankets tha
“All right,” Tony says, smiling back, and then turning back towards the room, dropping Cora’s hand to follow Ben and Luca as they walk in.“Actually,” Cora says, watching Tony walk into the room as she swings the door shut. “We want you to come to class, not lunch. And since neither of you are enrol
Jackson and I look up at Tony at the same instant, realizing that we’ve made a mistake. Cora and Jesse grin, picking up on things instantly as they sit down next to each other on the armchairs.“I thought Ariel Sinclair was mated to Luca Grant,” Tony says, grinning at me and nodding to the door wher
“Nope,” my mom says, beaming around at all of us. “Cora and I are going to take over your magic class! Isn’t that great!? We’re going to be your new professors!”We all look around at her, our mouths open, because…How on earth is this ever going to work?Silence reigns in the room, even as mom beam
The rest of us burst into laughter as Jesse skitters like a wet cat, panting as he looks down at himself, soaked to the skin with freezing water.“Anyone else?” Cora asks, grinning around at the group of us. We all just keep laughing, shaking our heads no, I think all kind of thrilled at the change
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