Page 42 of The Buck Stops Hare

“Took to what?” I released a rather unmanly yelp when Buck pulled me off the fence and hefted me in his solid arms. Being held bridal-style was not on my list of things I ever wanted, but it was nice.

“Your godbeast. It was beautiful, but never attack Rayne again if you can help. Storm wasn’t too keen on it.” Buck ended his warning and leaned in for a soft kiss.

“I needed it.” Rayne nudged Storm and took Vida from his arms. “Sorry.”

“If anyone would know you, it’s him. Are you better now?” Storm offered Rayne a hopeful smile.

“A bit. Cliff kicked some sense into me, and I kicked the godbeast into him. We even?” Rayne glanced at Buck and grinned, turning his affectionate gaze back to Storm.

“Fat chance.” I laughed as Buck gave me a squeeze.

“I’d say so.” Buck rubbed his chin on my head with a firm scruff, making me squirm and laugh.

I wasn’t sure what sort of life I’d walked into, but I was certain I’d found home.

Chapter Nineteen

Buck

When after a few weeks, their mother had neither returned a call or shown up, we settled into our new life together, myself and my studious mate.

Traveling to the old witch’s house, who I’d come to know as Dani rather than Cliff’s affectionateMrs. Pemberlin, gave me much time to bond with Cliff, riding land and roads that hadn’t called to me since ever. Since they imported humans from other countries to build lines of iron across the landscape. Though, the time I spent there had become boring, spending my time traversing the godless lands around the area while he handled school, finances, and the like, felt mostly wasted. It was fortunate that Dani kept me company as much as I her, spending cool evenings on the porch with Jacque nibbling weeds about the yard.

Fog lights in the dim evening caught my vision long after the rattling hum of Cliff’s engine, returning from yet another day of labs.

He’d gotten clearance to finish his last semester remotely, but he had to come in for labs once a week, and I found myself unwilling to allow him to make the journeys or spend the night away alone. And any time he had not dedicated to schooling or designing those houses for Sy and the business they were setting up, he was in bed with me, making up for all the sex he’d not had. I couldn’t get enough of him, personally, and I’d never complain.

“There’s your boy,” Dani said. She waved as the lights switched off and he came to a halt in front of the garage.

“Looks like it.” I threw a hand up in a wave, earning a less-shy but still-sweet smile.

“I got a text earlier from Brook!” he shouted as he exited his SUV, slamming the door with a sharp creak of metal.

“What’s he want?” I stood and stretched, a needless action that made something in me warm.

“Wanted to know if he and River can come over, if Mrs. Pemberlin is okay with it. I don’t want to drag gods over unannounced. Said something about wanting to hang out before…stuff.” He approached, thumbs hooked in his pockets. The unsaidstuffbeing his impending heat. I could scent it on him faintly. Instead of a kiss, a hug, or anything physical, he raked me up and down from head to toe in a slow, appreciative sweep. I could almost feel the heat in his gaze.

“Is this the Drowning River I’ve heard of?” Dani twisted her lips, the wrinkles at the corners of her mouth going taut. “I guess it would be rude of me to say no.”

“Tell him it’s okay, and to bring Dani a boon fit for a witch.” I grinned at Cliff, who buried his gaze onto his phone screen to reply.

“I don’t know why. They don’t have to bring me nothing. Just don’t bring trouble to my doorstep.” Dani scoffed and leaned back in her rocking chair. “The Buckling Stone here already saw to a gift enough for me.”

“I did nothing but pretend to be an old man for an evening.” I waved my hand dismissively.

“Well, now he’s dead and gone and that old mistress of his doesn’t get his savings. I can make sure our kids get it.” She reached for her drink and took a long sip.

“I didn’t know you had kids.” Cliff settled down on a rail next to Buck and hesitated when her face went wooden.

“Yeah. They don’t come around much, but it’s hard to really stick around when your kids are different. I’m a witch. Chuck was a latent. Three latent kids and none of them were happy with me about it. Sometimes they have it, sometimes they don’t.I think Chuck hated me a little for not giving him demi or active kids. It was his blood as much as mine, maybe more. Honestly, I don’t think he was a latent at all. I think he was too far gone from the line.” She wheezed out a long breath and leaned back. “So, I chased them off halfway when I found out he was seeing some witch on the other side of town and yeah… Buried him out back and the kids never have to hear his abuse again. Better they hate me than suffer.”

I nodded sagely, and Cliff sagged, visibly discontent with my mom, yeah? She hid all this from all of us. You should tell them.”

“That I murdered their father?” She snorted. “Best to let them think I’m a cunt than a murderer.”

“Why not both? There are worse things to be than a murderer, especially if he deserved it.” I adjusted my hat and settled back in my chair, rubbing my arm against Cliff’s side as I did so, soaking in a little touch in a sweet and innocent sort of way.

“I’ll think about it. Damage is long done though.” She waved us off as Cliff brightened at a text.

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