Page 114 of Magic's Dawn

“Yeah, and they warded the clinic and the shops on Main Street, too.” Haut pulls up next to the front steps. “But the clinic wasn’t as secure. They couldn’t limit who entered, only ill intent.”

“Well, Mrs. Smith got back in, so they failed.” I unbuckle and reach for the door handle, then when Haut growls in warning, I release it without opening the door.

With a huff, I settle back in my seat to wait like a good invalid while he hurries around to my side.

Haut yells toward the house before he opens the car door. He reaches inside to scoop me out, then dips me backward. “Grab your food.”

“Can’t I just leave it in the car?” When that earns me another growl, I grab the bland takeout and my Jello bag.

Haut straightens and carries me up the steps, where the front door opens, and Jesse steps out to hold the screen door.

The courtesy earns him a grunt, and Haut sets me safely inside. He turns me to face him and cups my cheeks, tipping my head back.

My pulse quickens, and my eyes close as I pucker up.

“Don’t step a single foot outside the house,” he growls.

I crack open one eye. “No kiss goodbye?”

His lips crush mine, making up for leaving me hanging. Then he steps back, points at me, points outside, and shakes his finger.

“Yeah, okay, I got it.” I shove him out the door. “Go be manly and hunt bad guys while Jesse and I super enjoy this dinner.”

“Bland food only,” Haut warns as he backs down the stairs.

“Rowe’s House has no rules!” I slam the door and thrust the bags at Jesse. “Make this edible before Barron arrives.”

Chuckling, Jesse heads for the kitchen. “Let’s see what we’re working with.”

I follow and perch on the edge of a kitchen chair while Jesse whips up a teriyaki glaze to make my dinner more palatable. It’s not French fries or pie, but it’s better than what I’ve been eating the last couple of days.

The food fills me up far faster than expected, and I close the lid with half the rice and chicken still left.

As I place it in the fridge, I catch Jesse looking at the clock, and frown. “What time was Barron supposed to arrive?”

“Five minutes ago.” Jesse finishes putting the dishes away. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

Despite the words, worry fills his voice.

“Call him while I get out blankets for the movie.” I head toward the archway. “You’ll feel better knowing where he is.”

“Yeah, I’ll just be a minute.” Jesse pulls his cell from his pocket. “He probably just got distract—”

The phone tumbles from his hand, clattering to the floor. He lunges for it, stabs at the screen, and the blood drains from his face.

My gut tightens as visions of Barron maimed flood my mind. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“He had some kind of relapse from the silver poisoning.” Jesse lurches for the door. “I need to go to the clinic.”

At the door, he freezes with his hand on the knob to turn back to me.

“Go.” I wave at him. “I’m safe behind the wards here. Let me know what you find out.”

When he continues to hesitate, I open the door for him and point at his car. “Go now. Your mate needs you.”

Jesse stumbles down the porch steps, making me worry about him driving, but the clinic isn’t that far.

I close and lock the door, then putter around the kitchen, pulling out ingredients for hot chocolate. If I’m babysitter-free, no one can stop me from getting dessert, and I need the comfort of the familiar while I wait for news.

---