Page 107 of Dead End

The Night Mallt raised her head, eyes blazing. “Your fight has always been my fight, annwyl. That is what it means to be family.”

My heart swelled. To hear those words from her… It meant more to me than she would ever know. “Thank you, Matilda.”

She straightened and adjusted her cloak. “Now, do you have a plan?”

I smiled. “Always.”

We returned to the Castle as a group that included both werewolves and hunters. For once I was grateful for five thousand square feet of house and a huge yard. Claude pounced on Matilda, and I felt a little choked up as I witnessed their sweet reunion.

Kane intercepted me in the foyer. “I think we should order food. Two boxes of elbow macaroni and a tin of crushed tomatoes isn’t going to cut it.”

“We’ll order pizza. A large pie in every option they have.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Even Hawaiian?”

I grimaced. “That’s not a fight I’m willing to lose. No pineapple on pizza on my watch.”

“Noted.”

Josie peeled away from the shadows. “I’ll make the call. You two organize the troops.”

I’d never seen such a full house. “Why is everyone here? We aborted the signal.”

Kane hesitated. “Actually, West may have inadvertently hit send. He didn’t want to be the one to tell you.”

The alpha poked his head between us. “Anna bumped myarm, and my finger slipped.” He continued into the kitchen, his favorite place in my house.

The Castle was teeming with energy. With life. It both heartened me and frightened me. The chances of every one of us making it back to this house alive... I stopped the negative thoughts in their tracks. All we could was our best.

“Did somebody order a nature mage?” a voice shouted.

My heart fluttered as I stepped into the foyer. “Brody?”

The nature mage opened his arms wide. “Would I leave ye in the lurch? Lorelei calls and Brody comes running.” He wrapped me in a warm embrace. “I like this version of Lorelei who hugs. A vast improvement, lass.”

I pulled back from him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Brody patted the quiver strapped across his shoulder. “A little birdie told me we might be facing off against a pack of angry gods.”

“There’s no ‘might,’” I said. “It’s definitely happening. The only question is when.”

“Then I’m glad I made it in time … for pizza.” His eyes widened as Josie began to distribute the piping hot boxes.

A paper plate found its way into my hand, along with a slice of pepperoni. I felt seen and understood as I tucked in.

Brody nodded his head toward the library. “Your man Ray has been busy since my last visit. The woodwork is spectacular.”

“Ray and Nana Pratt chose to cross over. They’re no longer attached to the property.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” He regarded the library. “Well, Ray did a very fine job on those shelves. I reckon he was very proud of his handiwork.”

“I think he was satisfied with his legacy.”

“Probably why he opted to leave on a high note. I know I would.”

It felt good to see Brody again and to know that he cared enough to return to Fairhaven, even knowing the risks.

“Tell me the plan,” Brody said, cramming a slice of pizza into his mouth like he hadn’t seen food for days. Maybe he hadn’t.

---