Page 73 of Jacinth

The Crone leveled a finger directly at Orion, then moved into the dining area and took a seat at the table. Orion opened his mouth a time or two, then obeyed the order with a bemused expression.

“I made that breakfast for you three. It was supposed to be sex fuel, damn it,” Jace muttered.

With very little idea of what to do next, we all followed the Crone’s lead and seated ourselves for a meal.

Jacinth was not a good cook. I surreptitiously spat my egg into a napkin and hid it beneath my plate, wondering how the Fates were sitting in my dining room, and more importantly, how they seemed to be enjoying food that was likely poisonous.

“Do you need more eggs?”

I shook my head quickly and smiled at my mate. “No, I’m good, thanks.”

On the other side of the table, I could see Skyler trying to convince Dagny to take his toast.

When a golden retriever wouldn’t eat it? You knew you had problems.

“Now, Skyler. I know you had intercourse with the girl last night. Is it you she is choosing?” the Crone asked casually.

Orion choked on his mouthful of tea, and I watched Skyler’s face turn an interesting shade.

I was 90% positive Sky had handed in his V card last night, and no one wanted to think about an old woman knowing what they were up to. Even if she was the one writing the story.

“Ummm...” Jacinth tried to take the heat, but stalled out.

“Not even close. Niko was first. I was there. He rocked her world,” Harley piped up.

“Ummm...” Jace tried again.

“I counted four orgasms with the boy last night. Good effort with no experience. The virgin was very giving. Good match.”

Holy shit, by this point, I was blushing on Skyler’s behalf. The Crone looked like someone’s Nonna. She should not be talking about sex.

Why was she talking about sex, anyway?

Why couldn’t I stop thinking the word sex in mixed company?

“I’mnotchoosing.” The words came out of Jace in a rush, and it took a moment for the Fates to process. Harley let out a whoop and pumped a fist in the air.

“Yeah, girl. You gotta catch ‘em all!”

“But then how do we know who wins?” The Mother’s voice caused everyone to pull a double take.

“Win what?” I asked.

“The bet, obviously.”

Blank stares from my brothers and Jace, a slightly guilty look from Harley.

“And I know you two cheated, so I feel like I should win,” the Mother continued with a haughty lift to her chin.

“We didn’t cheat. We could provide guidance using their abilities,” Harley said.

I thought about the timing of her arrival in my life.

Her forcing me on a path that took me to Jace again and again. I thought of her sabotaging my spell. Shit. She had saved my life in more ways than one, hadn’t she?

“Thank you.” I meant it too.

The affectionate grin Harley threw my way made me think she may have also come away a little changed.

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