Page 16 of Flock This

By the time they finished, Kelvin had seen more of my real, human life than any other Spirit.

Hell, even Galen hadn’t met my mother and knew nothing about my family. I kept that separate for a reason, and here Kelvin was, trampling all over the nice boundaries I’d set.

And he seemed thrilled by the development, like each picture was some personal achievement for him.

“I have to say, this is a side of my dear Grey I never saw before.” He closed the photo album, then passed it to my mom, who was beaming at the fact someone had finally wanted to look at her pictures.

Well, they could just become besties, couldn’t they? I’m sure my mother would love to learn about Kelvin’s special dietary needs.

I sighed and slumped in my chair. More likely, she’d end up trying to come up with some amazing blood-friendly soup that he could have.

Dad looked between Kelvin and me, then gave me one of those conspiratorial looks he did when he had to rein in my mother for my benefit. He’d done it when she wouldn’t stop taking pictures before prom and he did it now. “Come along, Grace, let’s give them some time alone, hmm?”

Mom rose, flustered as if she’d just realized how she’d monopolized his time and the fact that that sort of behavior wouldn’t get her more grandbabies any faster. “Of course. It was wonderful to meet you, Kelvin. Please come back soon? If Grey’s being difficult, just call me and I’ll invite you myself.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds. The food alone is worth coming back for.”

My mom absolutely glowed at that, because he could have picked no better compliment than to say her food was good. Dad all but picked her up to get her moving and out of the kitchen, leaving Kelvin and I alone.

“How are you here? I thought you couldn’t come into Null zones?”

He chuckled as though he found that adorable. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t really follow rules. Going back to that other time I hauled you in, I do believe I caught up with you on wolf territory.”

I thought back and frowned. It had been at the start, before I’d recognized the boundary lines, but I had been in Galen’s territory.

He grinned. “You see? I don’t much care about boundaries.”

“Well, everyone else cares.”

“So let them worry about it. Boundaries are just to make life easier for the people in charge.”

“Doesn’t it keep war from happening?”

He snorted. “Spirits fight. It’s what we do, but it’s just a few deaths. War happens because the people in charge want more power, so boundaries are just to give them reasons to control people. See, if we’re too busy snapping at each other, if the only time we deal with each other is when we’re on high alert, we’re going to stay at each other’s throats. Trust me, I’ve seen what happens when people stop paying attention to the rules their masters tell them to.”

“So you’re an anarchist who does the bidding of those in power? Doesn’t that make you a hypocrite?”

“Not really, since I only take the warrants I want. A vampire abusing thralls? I’ll bring him in. A vampire who slaughters a kid? I’ll break a few bones on the trip.”

“And a crow shifter who’s being set up?”

“Oh, you’re my favorite thing to chase.”

“Do you think your cute banter is going to make me forget that you’re the enemy?”

“I’m not your enemy.”

“You putting me in cuffs and hauling me before your masters must have confused me.”

“I only use cuffs on my favorite people,” he said.

I stared at him, my lips pressed together, giving him my best ‘are you fucking kidding me’ face.

He was flirtatious to everyone, so I hardly took that as meaning anything. Besides, the last thing I wanted was anything to do with a vampire. I preferred romantic interludes with people who didn’t bite.

Well, that wasn’t strictly true. I didn’t mind some biting, but I wouldn’t go there with something that had fangs.

After a long moment, probably when he realized I wouldn’t play his game, he leaned back in his seat. “Fine. I prefer sexual banter to actual conversation, but if you insist—tell me what happened with William.”

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