Page 85 of Marked By Night

“All right, hmm…” I pause, tapping my Converse against the nice hardwoods in my borrowed room. They’re nothing like the ones from our old duplex, these are nice and there’s not a scuff in sight.

All the names that pop into my head are silly like Baxter and Buddy and Bandit. My familiar is worthy of a strong name.

“Maxwell?” I ask, then shake my head. “No, that’s too cliché…”

“Agreed.”

A flash on the TV catches my attention. I left it on as background noise last night because I couldn’t stand being left alone with my thoughts. Chris Hemsworth glides across the screen, looking totally badass in one of the Avengers movies with his infamous hammer in hand.

I gasp. “Hemsworth!” What better way to honor the God of a man himself?

He looks over to the TV and back to me. “Hmm. I don’t hate it.” I swear I see amusement dancing in those little dog eyes. “Hemsworth it is.”

Did I name my familiar after Chris Hemsworth?

Yes, yes, I did.

Hemsworth stands up on his back legs, giving me a dog version of a people hug. My heart swells.

“Come on, we don’t want Vin to leave without us.”

When we round the corner, we find Ash talking on her phone. Her mouth is moving a million miles a minute, but when she sees me, she smiles and hangs up instantly.

“Hey, babe!” She saunters toward me, sporting a black tank top and a pair of jeans today, paired with the same boots from the concert.

“Hey,” I say, leaning in to give her a quick hug.

When I pull away she gives me a devious smile. “You’re glowing, you know.”

“I’m what? Shit, is my magic doing funky stuff again?” I ask turning around in confusion like I can actually see myself.

She smacks her forehead. “No, you dunce. You and Kaos totally fucked, didn’t you? How was it? Tell me everything!”

A laugh bursts from my lips. “I’ll admit. It was fucking amazing. Kaos is so attentive.” I break off when she starts fanning herself with her hand.

“Mhm, and are you happy you waited, or do you wish you’d done it sooner?”

I shrug. “Honestly, I don’t see why it’s lorded over women’s heads their entire life, but with Kaos it was meaningful, so yes. I’m glad and,” I lean in to whisper, “I think I’m slightly addicted. I tried to jump his bones in the hallway today, but Elian interrupted us. The fucking prick.”

“He’s quite the asshole, isn’t he? Good thing he’s exactly your type.”

“Jeez, way to call me out, Ash,” I say, smacking her arm. “Enough with my sex life. Today is the day you’re heading back home, right?”

“Yeah. I’m waiting on the staff guy who’s supposed to drive me.” She runs a hand through her brown locks, fixing a flyaway.

I frown. “For the record, I don’t like this. I think you need to stay here, where it’s safe.”

She props a hand on her hip, cocking it to the side. Typical Ash. “You know how much they mean to me. I can’t—I haven’t missed a month since they died. I need to do this.”

“I know I can’t stop you and I wouldn’t try, but please promise me you’ll be careful and stick with your driver, okay? I’m sure he doubles as a guard. Don’t talk to anyone you don’t know and keep your mace handy.”

She nods, shooting me a sneaky smirk. “I’m hoping my chauffeur will be a hot one. Maybe I can seduce him on the way back. Have a quickie in the car.”

I stare at my best friend in awe. “You’re too fucking much sometimes, Ash.”

She laughs and the lines around her eyes crinkle. “True, but you love me too much to ditch me.”

“You’re right. I do.” I tug her into another hug, watching her driver approach. I know it’s time to let her go, but a part of me isn’t ready. “Be safe, okay? I’ll see you when you get back.”

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