Page 36 of Blood of a Huntsman

As usual, Bash felt a mixture of pride in his brother and resentment that he couldn’t be there when Paul returned.

But that was stupid. He wouldn't have been in Brighton even if he hadn't been bitten.

So, he just let go and smiled. Genuinely smiled at his sister.

"You look good, Sebastian. Anything happened?"

He shrugged. "I feel better, yeah. A little."

Emilia proved far too perceptive again. "It's a girl, isn't it?"

Bash groaned. "I'm twenty-eight, sister. I don't do girls."

"A woman, then. Vamp or huntsman? No, wait. It's a witch, right? Is that how you managed to do magic the other day?"

"There's no girl. No woman. No witch. I don't have time for—"

"Don't bother lying, I'll meet her this summer. Anyway, Paul's mission is tonight. Call him after ten, all right? And don't worry. I'll shadow him to make sure he doesn't get into any actual trouble."

Bash had to laugh. That was an unspoken tradition. Whenever a kid went on a first solo, one or two seasoned warriors followed discreetly. Bash's parents had trailed him at sixteen, then Bash and Jack trailed Emilia five years ago. She'd never needed them, but they would have been there if she had.

"I'm glad you're there for him."

"As you were there for me. I have to review my mission. Catch you later, Sebastian."

"Next weekend," he promised.

And for once, he might actually stay the entire weekend.

Might. He wasn't about to push himself and put his siblings in harm’s way. But if he did improve over the next ten days, he could always try. As long as Luke was there to stop him in case he lost it.

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