Page 31 of Magic's Rise

“No caffeine.” He tweaks a wet curl to make it bounce. “You can nap in the car.”

Haut joins us, carrying a cooler in one hand. His dark brown locks are mussed, but his moss-green eyes are sharp as they sweep over me. “Ready?”

A thump comes from the top of the stairs, and I turn to see Owen coming down with a suitcase.

Haut frowns. “How much did you pack for her?”

“Two weeks of clothes.” He stops next to me at the bottom. “Better safe than stuck with dirty socks.”

“You’re my hero.” I glance around. “Where’s Rosebud?”

“Gassing up the van.” Haut peers out toward the driveway. “He should be back any minute.”

As he speaks, tires crunch on the gravel outside and headlights shine through the window.

“Speak of the vampire.” Tris bounces to the front door, the dog tag he wears jingling with evert step.

As he opens the door, cold air sweeps inside, and I pull my hood up to cover my wet hair, the bunny ears on top flopping forward to hang on either side of my face.

I tug the ties to cinch it tight around my face. “How are you both so chipper?”

Tris smirks at me over his shoulder. “Maybe you’d be more awake if you went to sleep at a reasonable hour instead of boinking all night.”

“Worth it,” I say into my hot chocolate, and Owen leans in to nuzzle me with a pleased rumble.

I wait for Tris and Haut to go out first before I step away from Owen. Despite spending the night in his arms, I’m going to miss him.

We walk outside to the first blush of dawn lightening the sky. Barron’s van sits in the driveway, Ros hopping out from behind the wheel. We had asked to borrow it last night, since Barron won’t be leaving town during the festival, and the giant Sheriff decal on the side of Haut’s SUV draws too much attention.

Owen carries my suitcase to the back to load it while Ros sweeps me up into his arms.

He buries his nose in the crook of my neck and breathes in deep. “Keep yourself safe, baby.”

I squeeze him tight. “I will.”

“And no picking up new mates.” His hands drop to my ass, and he lifts me onto my toes. “You’re all full up.”

“But…what if there’s a super adorable cat shifter—” I cut off with a laugh as he starts carrying me back toward the house. “Okay, I promise! No matter how cuddly cat shifters are, I won’t bring one home!”

“If she tries, I’ll eat them.” Haut settles the cooler in the back seat before climbing behind the wheel. “Come on, bad puppy, or we’re not going to stop until bedtime.”

Ros turns and, hands still on my ass, carries me to the front passenger side. “Dream about me every night, baby.”

“Will do.” I wrap one arm around his neck, juggling my cocoa in the other, and pull him down for a kiss. “No biting anyone while we’re gone.”

“What if I get hungry?” When I nip his lower lip, he chuckles. “I’m good for a bit, and there’s a freezer of bagged blood if I get peckish.”

Expression stern, I look over his shoulder at Owen. “No orgies!”

“I’ll somehow resist.” He crosses his heart. “Promise.”

Ros deposits me in the passenger seat and buckles me in, the worn leather of the seat warm beneath my butt. “Keep your phone charged.”

When I pat my pockets, I find them empty. “Wait, I left it…somewhere.”

“On the kitchen island.” Haut points to the glitter-covered case sitting on the center console, plugged into a car charger.

“And I have your wallet.” Tris, now in one of the middle bucket seats, waves it in the air. “Lunch is on me.”

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