Page 61 of Home to the Hollow

“I love the face you make when you’re forced to say that name. I wish Doyle was around to see it,” Edgar says, giving me a wink. “I’ll see if I can charm her.”

“Alright, team. Break!” I clap my hands like Teddy does at practice and everyone groans.

What? I thought it was cute.

* * *

“Jolene!You look lovely, as always. They have transformed the space since I last visited,” Mayor Cornelia Sykes says, sipping her champagne delicately. She’s looking rather resplendent in a brightly colored caftan and sandals, her long hair threaded with colors and swinging at her waist.

I smile brightly, tugging at the lapels of the black satin Armani tux jacket. Seer had her way with some pieces of the couture that belonged to my mom last week, and she insisted this suit paired with the five inch Louboutins would blow the faces off my critics. I’m not so sure, given that she tailored the jacket with boning and forbade me to wear a shirt underneath.

“Thank you, Nelia. It’s a hand-me-down from my mother, and she always encouraged my art. I feel it’s a nice tribute for this evening.”

Nelia arches her brow at me. “Jolene Whitley, I knew your mother and if anyone encouraged your artistic side, it was Andrew. But I appreciate your manners in not saying so. Eloise had a stunning wardrobe for official events and I’m pleased to see it serving you well.”

Zareb tosses his mane next to her, and I watch him. He walks forward, bending at the front paws and putting his head down at my feet. What the hell? I look at Nelia in a panic, but she only laughs. Edgar chooses that moment to walk up behind me and place his enormous hands on my shoulders. His proximity calms me, and I take a slow breath.

“Don’t worry, Miss Whitley. Zareb is only showing you he won’t harm you. In fact, this position shows deference. I’ve never seen him do it for anyone but me before.”

I gape at the Mayor, unsure what to say to that. Why on earth would her companion show me deference? Jekyll and Hyde stroll up, brushing my fingertips on either side, dropping into a similar position facing Zareb.

Okay, this is getting weird.

“Looks like we’ve found allies,drugar,” Teddy says, his chest rumbling against my back. “I’d never turn down such a gracious offer, Mayor, nor would my lovely girlfriend.”

Is there a shock quotient for less than five minutes? I may be at mine. I hear a gasp from across the room, then the buzz of people talking in the crowd. Teddy just dropped a gossip bomb in the loudest, clearest voice possible. The animals stand, and Euryale screeches from the perch Wolfie made for her high in the corner across the room. Kali and Hecate join the animals crowded around us with a low ‘woof’, and I feel claustrophobic.

A loud whistle sounds from the door to the back room, and I see Prez wink. For someone so quiet, he seems to always have a bead on how I’m feeling. I give him a grateful smile, watching the cats and dogs wind their way to the back for treats.

The Mayor smiles at me, her eyes knowing. “I see you’ve found admirers. That’s good—a lady should never be without a cadre of trusted associates who would burn the world for her.”

I tilt my head, studying her for a moment. “You seem to do well on your own, Nelia.”

Her laugh is rich as her eyes twinkle. “My polycule is never far, but seldom seen. They move with the shadows, so no one mistakes my femininity with weakness. Perhaps I will invite you to dinner one night once you’ve assembled your consorts.”

“Her what?” Teddy cuts in, his hands tightening on my shoulders.

“Young Boone, you may have a name, money, and a title, but you’d do well to remember who I am.” Her reproachful stare makes him shrink the tiniest bit, but I don’t comment on it. “However, I understand not everyone present knows the same amount of information as me, so I’ll forgive your impertinence—this time.”

With that, she swishes away with Zareb in tow, and I watch her with interest. I swear, I didn’t think there was a person alive who could make Edgar Olivier Boone III cringe. But he’s muttering under his breath, so I turn to drop a kiss on his jaw. He calms slightly, and I wrap my arms around him.

I know there are eyes on us; I can feel them. I can’t find it in me to care what people think about my unconventional home life anymore. Teddy chuckles and presses a kiss into my hair, rubbing his cheek against it for a moment before speaking.

“You realize this is going to paint a target on your back even bigger than before? So far, the harpies have seen you kiss me, snuggle with the vet, and watched the doc tame our pets. It’s going to get around.”

I shrug. “Let them talk. It’s what people here do best.”

Laughing softly, he lets go of me. “I’ll remember you said that. For now, go schedule classes at the desk. Some ladies are lingering there with claws at the ready. Best get them settled before blood is drawn.”

“I do NOT promise to keep Eury from pecking them to death.”

“Well, as long as you have a plan…”

Good Girl

“I’d like to put all three of my children in lessons,” Ophelia Jane Longworth says.

She’s sitting on the chair primly, her knees together and a small cocktail purse balanced in her lap. Her entire demeanor is like someone who’s afraid to catch a disease from the place they’re in, and it pisses me off. Ophelia was the duchess in charge after Amy Matilda Behle, and she carried out the most heinous of the punishments when we were in high school.

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