Page 12 of Blood and Hexes

“How did everyone have time to buy gifts?” Avani mused.

Mikar chuckled. “Immortality has a way of preparing us for all eventualities. We keep a supply of appropriate presents just in case.” He had a cupboard with neatly wrapped packages, with everything from baby blankets to Cuban cigar sets.

Alexius unwrapped Seth's present, looking like a kid in a candy store. Seth Stormhale, Cat's elder brother, ranged from annoying to enraging depending on the day, but he and Alexius had hit it off from the day they’d met. Unsurprisingly.

Mikar sniggered when Alexius victoriously exhibited the present. Avani groaned. From the looks of things, Seth wanted to get bitten by a bear-size she-wolf.

He'd sent a wooden spanking bench, with black leather upholstery, and complete with soft cuffs to lock arms and legs in place.

"I'm gonna kill him," Avani announced cheerfully, while Alexius passed it around.

"Maybe we should really get married too," Levi prodded Chloe.

She slapped his shoulder and bared her fangs.

Mikar was laughing with—at?—the couple, like everyone else, when something changed in the air, catching his attention.

Levi's gaze immediately lost all humor as he turned toward the house's entrance.

Something was wrong.

Mikar caught Levi's eyes. They'd known each other for long enough to not have to exchange words. He was offering to check it out, if only to avoid alerting Avani, Chloe, or ruining the party. No one would pay attention to his leaving for a while.Levi nodded, accepting his help.

Like a shadow, Mikar glided out of the Stormhale house, to see what had disrupted the borders of Oldcrest.

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