Page 18 of Back in the Hunt

Suddenly, it all made perfect sense to Everly. “That was me! I was ready to give up but Bryn found me! I can be Bryn’s purpose and protect him too.”

“That’s right, buddy.” Nox offered his fist and Everly bumped it back. “Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something, just because you’re small or were born with just a little bit of magick.Intention will always make the difference and if you let love guide you, there’s no way you can fail.”

“Awesome! How long until I won’t turn into an incubus? I think Bryn would love me more, and see that I’m his purpose too, if we could have sex.”

Nox whistled as he nodded. “Been down that road as well with Nelson. But I found out that there are so many ways for me to love that man that don’t include sex. So many beautiful ways and sometimes, they’re better than sex. I learn more about him and myself at times like that and it’s an incredible turn on for me.”

They were interrupted when Fletcher returned, waving his notebook. “Just got off the phone with the ME out in Richmond. He may have a case like Everly.” He gave Nox a serious look and coughed.

“I’ll go outside and practice,” Everly said as he took out his matchbook and backed toward the terrace doors. “I don’t think I want to know about any of that.”

“Smart man,” Nox said, then jumped to grab Everly but he clipped his hip on the corner of the desk.

“That’s fine!” He shrugged it off and turned, smacking his elbow on the door. “Didn’t feel it!” Everly waved over his shoulder beforecarefullyskipping down the back steps to practice in the early autumn sun.

Six

Everly was the embodiment of “right as rain” when he came down the stairs the next morning and joined everyone for breakfast in the kitchen. He smiled nonstop and asked one question after another, as ravenous to learn as he was for bits of cheese, fruit, and oatmeal.

No one minded, though, and Bryn appreciated Nelson’s patience and how charmed Nox and Merlin were by Everly’s curiosity. There was no denying that Nox and Merlin took their roles as educators and mentors seriously, never shunning a question no matter how obvious it might seem.

“Can I come and watch you teach?” Everly asked as he followed Nox to the door, skipping and hurrying to help the professor with his scarf and messenger bag.

“Whenever you want, buddy!” Nox had said, but canted toward him. “Afterwe fix that creep who tried to hurt you,” he reminded Everly softly.

“Oh! Right!” Everly nodded quickly and watched at the window as Nox left for school with Nelson. “That’s a cool car!”

“I think we can convince Nelson to take us for a ride when he gets back,” Merlin mused. “He won’t be long. The university’s just up the street.”

“Really?” Everly turned from the window, hopping and tripping toward Merlin in his excitement. He was so adorably clumsy, Brynhad tohold onto Everly’s hand or keep an arm around him to keep him out of danger.

Merlin laughed and did his best to calm Everly. “What’s the harm in a little outing as long as we stick together? I was thinking I’d have Nelson take me to Adelphi when he gets back so I could check in with a friend. Howard owns Bippity Boppity Books and tends to stay abreast of magickal news and gossip,” he informed them and was describing the bookshop when Nelson returned.

“You’re going to Bippity Boppity Books?” he asked and Merlin nodded.

“If you’d care to take me. Jeff is having the Bentley detailed this morning.”

“I’d love to,” Nelson said as he offered Merlin his arm.

Merlin raised his brows at Bryn and Everly in invitation. “Up for a field trip? I think you’ll both enjoy Howard and the store is quite safe. He’s an old white witch and the shop is heavily warded and filled with lovely crystals and healing energy.”

Everly brightened. “I want to go! I’ve never been to an occult shop and Howard sounds nice,” he begged as he tugged on Bryn’s sleeve.

“Alright! It’s a beautiful, sunny day and I can’t see the harm as long as we stay together,” Bryn conceded and they gathered on the curb next to Nelson’s Continental for the short ride to Adelphi.

Never one to drool over cars, Bryn was begrudgingly impressed with Nelson’s baby. It rumbled like a big kitten, its sleek black exterior was polished to a mirror-like shine. Everly giggled at their reflections as Bryn opened the back door and they both groaned at the immaculate white leather interior.

“I feel like someone important!” Everly whispered to Bryn as he snapped his seatbelt, making Merlin chuckle from the passenger seat.

“You are very important, Mr. Wells. Did you know this is the same car the Secret Service used to transport presidents in?” he said with a wink for Bryn.

He put an arm around Everly and gave him a squeeze. “See? I’m not the only one who thinks you’re special,” he said as he kissed Everly’s hair, causing him to beam out the window as they drove over the bridge into Maryland.

Once they arrived, Merlin turned so he could see them over his seat, his eyes twinkling at Everly. “As I said, Howard is an old witch so I thought we’d enlist him for a bit of practice.”

Bryn’s hackles were nearly engaged. “What kind of practice?” he asked warily, but Merlin waved him off.

“Nothing that will harm Everly, I promise,” he said, then paused to consider before shaking his head. “No harm should come to Everly, but I have explained the situation to Howard and asked that he protect himself as if he were about to encountera muse.” He widened his eyes at Bryn, allowing him to guess his intentions. He smiled warmly at Everly. “All I want is for you to try to contain your desire to be loved by Howard.”

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