Page 77 of Blood & Betrayals

“All right. But you’ll keep updating me on your brothers’ romantic escapades?”

Connor shifts and lays down, pulling me with him. “Well, Zach is definitely dating someone, and he thinks no one knows, but he’s so embarrassingly obvious about it.”

I can hear his mom shifting, probably settling in to listen. “Tell me everything.”

Connor runs his fingers through my hair. “Well, the last couple of days, he’s been coming home in the morning wearing the same shirt as the night before. He’s also been sneaking out of the house but in the loudest way possible.”

“Uriel!” his mom exclaims. “Zach is dating! We need another binder!”

His dad’s laugh is so similar to Connor’s that I can’t help but smile. “Is it serious? I told you we only make them for serious relationships now.”

“He’s not telling people about her, Uriel! Of course, it’s serious.”

“I’m the only one who’s in a serious relationship, Mom.”

I pull back, lifting an eyebrow at him.

“But we’re taking it slow, aren’t we, babe?” Connor continues.

“She’s there?! Uriel! She’s there!” Farrah is practically shouting in excitement.

“You’ll just scare her, Mom. She’s a little nervous about how perfect I am.”

I can’t stop the laugh that escapes, and his mom gasps at the sound.

“Oh! Such a pretty laugh! I wish I could put that in the binder. Uriel, can you believe Connor thinks we’ll scare her off?”

His dad chuckles. “Ridiculous. We’re so charming!”

Connor smiles contentedly and continues to stroke my hair. “For the rest of us, no one of interest is showing up.”

“Hmm,” Farrah hums softly. “Okay, go spend time with my future daughter-in-law. If you need help with Rafe, we’ll be there.”

“I can handle Rafe. Don’t worry, Mom.”

“I love you, my Con. I miss you terribly.”

Connor pauses for a second, his hand stilling in my hair. “Mom?”

“Yes, my darling?”

“One of my feathers… turned.”

“Already?” Her voice is a little more tentative now. “Uriel, did you hear that?”

“You’re so young,” Uriel says, sounding strained.

“This is… wonderful news!” his mom begins, and I glance up at Connor. His face is more serious than I’ve ever seen it. “It doesn’t change anything, Con. It just means that, well,” her voice breaks, “you’re so, so special. Even more incredible than we already thought!”

“Farrah.” Uriel says her name with such tenderness, and I realize I have heard the same in Connor’s voice when he says mine. “Connor, I’ll talk to Uncle Michael. Maybe the Almighty has spoken to him about this.”

“We love you, Connor.”

“Give our love to your brothers,” Uriel says, ending the call for Farrah.

I look up at Connor. “Your family is pretty close, huh?”

“We are.”

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