Page 6 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

That’s where things start to go wrong with Constantine.

Then again, our relationship was never exactly smooth sailing. After he took me in during the worst of the Winter shit, I felt indebted to him and it’s why I haven’t been able to shake loose from his grasp. It’s become a vicious cycle - he does something nice for me, and I feel like I owe him something in return. And so when he asked for intimacy tonight, I couldn’t bring myself to say no, even though deep down I knew it wasn’t what I truly wanted.

Sighing heavily, I step into the steamy shower and start scrubbing away at my skin, hoping to wash away the uncomfortable feeling along with the dirt and grime. But even as I cleanse myself, my mind is still twisting around this problem, trying to find a solution before it becomes an even bigger issue.

It’s moments like these when I hate being so damn fair-minded. My sense of fairness and obligation often leads me down paths that make me want to vomit afterwards. How do you fix something like that, I wonder, as I wrap a towel around myself and start drying off my wet hair.

Suddenly, I feel a tug deep inside me, letting me know that Taurus is back at our place. A smile stretches across my face for the first time in hours, pushing away the unease and discomfort that had been gnawing at me. Despite my desire to go to him immediately before he decides to just beam me up without permission, I know I need to check on things here first.

Using my magick, I close my eyes and reach out to sense the energy in the house. To my relief, it’s quiet - the boys are downstairs playing pool in the game room and the girls are engrossed in a game of Hearts. Rafe is still holed up in his studio, probably working on some new piece of art. After the debacle at the Beltane meeting last week, Sari and her coven have been surprisingly subdued today, with the exception of a mysterious text about a visitor they received earlier. But for now, it seems like everyone is keeping to themselves.

In this moment, I feel free—free from Constantine’s grasp and free to be myself without feeling obligated or indebted to anyone.

It’s a rare and precious feeling for someone like me, who has always struggled with boundaries and fulfilling others’ needs at the expense of my own. As I slip into my clothes and prepare to join Taurus at our home base, I can’t help but wonder how long this freedom will last before someone else comes along needing something from me.

For now, I’ll enjoy this brief respite before diving back into the endless cycle once again.

The Cat Retreats to the Birdhouse

DELILAH

Grabbing my phone, I hit the button and pop into our room. I smile when I see him. He’s snoozing, sprawled on the couch with the stuffed panther tucked in the crook of his arm. His hand is resting on the bird on his bare tummy, and he looks deliciously comfortable.

My lips curl and I pounce on him, nipping his jaw. “Why, hello there, handsome. How are you?”

He opens his eyes, grinning slyly. “Not bad.”

I arch a brow, crossing my arms over my chest as I sit on his hips. “That expression makes me suspicious.”

“I always said you were a bright one.”

“What mischief have you been up to?”

“I was seeing a lady about a twig.”

“Oh, shit.” I blink, something clicking inside. “That’swhy she’s been quiet.Youwere her visitor.” I try not to let the instant panic rippling through my chest make it hard to breathe. What did she tell him? Doesn’t he know that any contact with her is asking to be drawn into her web of pain? She’ll be after him like the coyote she is now.

Damn, damn, damn.I can’t let him see me panic. He looks proud of himself, so he doesn’t know about any of the bad stuff. She kept her fucking mouth shut foronce.

“Moi?” he asks, trying to look innocent.

He must think that going to Sari to build a bridge will make me happy. That’s a fair assumption, but only because I haven’t told him the depth of our issues. I can’t crush his insanely stupid surprise. “I’m very pleased,” I manage, trying to smile despite the fear of her meddling welling in my chest.

His eyes glow with emotion. “That’s why I did it.”

Oh, Goddess. You jumped straight into hell and dragged the demon out, that’s what you did. I hug him tightly, because I know what it cost him to do it. Dropping a kiss on his jaw, I murmur hoarsely, “Thank you.”

“There’s not much I wouldn’t do for you, love of mine. I suppose she filled you in on what went down. What did she do, tackle you before you got here?”

I shake my head. “No, she didn’t. She mentioned a visitor in passing when she texted to cancel our weekly dinner. You probably rocked her world view, and she needs time to deal with that. I’m sure I’ll be told tomorrow all about the meeting of the two titans.”

“I would have laid money that she wouldn’t keep her yap shut. Huh,” he muses.

“Only one person tackled me today—which is significantly less than usual when I get home.” My face darkens briefly at the memory, but I pull it back, schooling myself before he catches it.

“You’re a loved woman, heart of mine.”

“Sari’s… well, Sari. She’ll fret and analyze and worry wort as if some major smack down will happen because you tried to offer an olive branch.”

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