Page 32 of My Silent Demon

“Like what?” Wynn asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Why don’t we have a picnic? Something to get us outside.”

Wynn lit up. “I love that idea. We could practice our self defense in the park, then have food afterward. It’ll be good to practice on uneven ground.”

I looked at Osian. He nodded at me to show that the idea met his approval.

Wynn continued, “I’ll pack a picnic basket. Fried chicken sound good? What are you feeling?”

“Wynn,” I protested. “You don’t have to cook every night. We can stop by the store to get stuff for sandwiches or something.”

Wynn waved my concern away. “Onyx and Osian cook, too. They’re gourmet chefs compared to me. But I like to cook, and we don’t have classes right now. It’s no problem.”

“You need to relax. Take a night off. We’ll be fine,” I reassured her.

“Only if you’re sure...”

“I am. It’ll be fine. I’ll get dinner, you take the night off.”

Wynn smiled. “Okay, but only if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

Wynn nodded. She looked down at her Uno cards.

I shared a small smile with Osian.

Good girl,he thought.

Pride filled my chest. I liked that he approved of the idea.

I’ll reward you for your good behavior later.He winked at me.

I knew Wynn couldn’t hear him, but I still blushed.

* * *

Harder. Jab. Jab. Cross,Osian instructed. He caught each blow without using gloves or flinching.Good.

The sun was still up in the park, though a spring chill remained in the air. Wynn and I had worked up a sweat practicing, but Osian and Onyx didn’t look like they’d exercised at all.

“That’s enough for tonight. Let’s eat before it gets dark,” Onyx suggested.

“Sounds good,” Wynn panted.

Osian grasped my hand, and we all headed to the bench where the takeout bags with subs and bottles of water waited.

Onyx reached the bench first and called out the sandwiches. When we each had our food, Onyx threw the bags away.

“How about we swing?” he suggested.

“I love that idea,” Wynn said. “Let’s do it.”

Sandwiches and waters in hand, we each settled into a swing on the park’s nearby swing set. I went right back to middle school as the water bottles rested on the ground and we all acted like kids on the swing.

Onyx finished his sandwich and hopped off his swing to push Wynn.

“Higher!” she giggled and shrieked.

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