Page 39 of Blood on the Ice

That’s when I discover why Nana is silent—she’s definitely too busy.

“Fuck, they’re such absolute assholes,” I groan as I turn to lie down. “Why were either of them even present at some dirty rich people's party in London that got busted by every law enforcement agency in existence, I don’t know. They got detained by human authorities, too.”

“That’s going to be sticky,” Morgana murmurs. “Especially if they were… indiscreet because of… influences.”

I snort. “You can say if they ran their mouths because they were high, you’re right, and it wouldn’t be the first time. I think if Nana wasn’t who she is, the Society would have neutralized them ages ago.”

Her nose wrinkles and she curls up against me, flicking the TV on. “Fucking rich people.”

“Indeed,” I agree, smiling to myself as I hold her.

We can argue social justice later—for now, I’m happy to let her win.

somebody’s watching me

Lucas and I fell asleep on the couch watching crime shows, which made me stupidly happy. I have a weakness for human detective shit and though it’s clearly never been something he was interested in, my new mate dove in with his typical enthusiasm. He decided we should watch all my favorite shows, which will be lengthy. I’m pretty serious aboutmy addiction to mysteries, both British, and American versions, and I’ve got an entire arsenal of shows to enjoy watching him experience for the first time.

When I woke up, I threw together a quick breakfast with what I had on hand and yet again, realized I have to leave campus to stock the kitchen with more than junk food and empty take-out containers. I don’t want him to be alone, though, and I’m also not taking Channing away from her job cleaning house at my office. The emails she sent me confirming the staffing changes and reorganization of duties were spot on—I’d even missed some gaps in coverage in certain areas of the Dean’s purview.

So once we finish eating, I turn to him, trying to assess on sight whether he’s strong enough to join me on a quick trip to the superstore. His color is decent and his appetite was good, so I think he’d be okay as long as we take breaks if he gets tired. In fact, I’m pretty certain that?—

“Why are you eying me like you’re fitting a coffin, Morgana?”

His casual quip makes my heart jump into my throat and I smack his knee in retaliation. “Don’tsaythat!”

“Okay, okay!” Lucas laughs, giving me a sheepish look. “Bad choice of words; I get it. But youarestaring at me like I’m a bug under a microscope. What gives?”

Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “Making breakfast showed me I need to hit the store foractualfood, especially with a hulking monster staying here. We both have big appetites and shouldn’t eat takeout all week.”

Blinking, he looks thoughtful, then nods. “I agree. We need more food and we should make healthier shit, so I don’t fuck up my training diet. I’m always bulky and muscular because of my bear,but I need to out-skate smaller dudes. I can’t pack it on during the season.”

“I don’t want to take you out if you’re not well. You look like you’re doing okay now, but that seems to change on a dime. I don’t want to hurt you further,” I explain. “So yeah, I was kind of examining you.”

His lips curve, and he reaches out to stroke his fingertips along my jaw. “I think I can handle a quick trip to Wally World, Morgana. If I get tired, I’ll tell you.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

I roll to my feet, holding my hand out to him. “You’ll have to prove it by making it up the stairs to the shower. We’re ripe and we cannot go out in public without showering. Think you can handle it still?” My eyes dance as I wait for him.

The giant hockey player takes a deep breath and hefts himself out of my cushy couch, standing for a moment to make sure he’s solid. “As long as you’re willing to wash my back, I think I’ll manage.”

Gee, I can’t imagine why he’d say that.

“Get your tight ass upstairs first and we’ll see about that.” Winking, I turn on my heel and head for the stairs. I want to see him make it on his own without keeling over before I even consider taking him in public. Between the two of us, infamy is our middle name, and I don’t want people posting shit about us online if we cause a scene.

“If I do well, can we go get a coffee at Slade’s shop afterwards?” His eyes are pleading and I snort. Lucas is hooked on sugarycoffee concoctions—one thing I’ve learned during the time we’ve had to talk in the past two days.

“Fine. But I’m not helping you up the stairs!” I call behind me as I climb them and head for the main bedroom of doom.

Surprisingly,my poisoned bear got himself up the stairs and through the shower without toppling. We didn’t fool around—much—under the hot spray, so we’re out and dressing in a few minutes.

I definitely looked at every inch of him, though.

Once we’re comfortable and ready to rock, I let him take the lead as we go downstairs to grab our phones and shit. Lucas looks a little better after the clean-up and though I know it won’t last, it makes my chest loosen a bit. I know he’s drifting in and out of his symptoms randomly and it’s hard not to let that make me worry he won’t recover from this shit.

Stop, Morgana. Iggy is on this.

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