Page 33 of Elf

“Who is the oldest?”

“We’re pretty sure it’s Xavier, but he will never admit to just how old he is. The other oldest person I know is my father at over a millennium.”

“Wow. Is it hard to know humans with our shorter lifespans?”

Alaric was silent a few moments before he sighed. “My best friend is in her eighties and dying, so yes, it is.”

Ezra lifted his head to look at Alaric. “I’m so sorry. Have you been friends long?”

“Sixty-five years. You’d like Sammy. She’s never been afraid to be herself, and now, I think she’s holding on just for me. She’s in constant pain from arthritis and other ailments, and seeing her suffering kills me.”

“You can’t heal her?”

“I can’t reverse what age is doing to her, I can only help her with the pain at this point. I do what I can, heal what I can, but she’s progressed beyond my capabilities. It’s because of her I haven’t let myself become attached to another human. Guess you’ve changed that.”

Ezra grinned. “You’re attached?”

“Very,” Alaric murmured. “I don’t know how you did it with that snide attitude of yours, but you got past my walls.”

“I have those walls, too, Alaric.”

“Which makes sense with your family.”

“Did you mean it? About dating me after this is all over?”

“I did.” Alaric tugged him up higher and kissed him. “This will be new for me so if I’m terrible at it, I apologize in advance.”

“It’s not like I have much more experience. I had two boyfriends before Brian, and both of those relationships were disasters. I was in college before—dropped out to get married—and I did date this one guy for a few months. Turned out he was just interested in someone to pay his bills. Surprisingly, the sex was decent, but nothing like it is with you. You’ve got a magic touch.” He winked.

“Ezra,” Alaric said softly. He seemed to be thinking pretty hard about what he was about to say, then he shook his head andchuckled quietly. “Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow, we’ll dig back into that paperwork and find some answers, okay?”

He really wanted to know what Alaric had planned to say, because it was obvious he’d changed his mind. It was in his nature to dig, but something told him now wasn’t the time. “I need to go and talk to my mother. I don’t want to, but she may have the answers we need.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do, and I’ll be there for you, okay?”

“Thanks.” He settled in against Alaric. Surprisingly, it didn’t take him long to fall asleep.

Chapter Twenty

Alaric

Alaric was worried as he drove down the driveway to the house where Ezra had grown up. All his magical senses were on full alert, but he was more concerned about Ezra, who’d grown increasingly more silent with every mile. Alaric didn’t blame him. His family was messed up. And every protective instinct he had made him want to turn the vehicle back around rather than expose someone he’d come to care about to their obvious disdain.

The home came into view, and he raised a brow. Imposing gray brick surrounded a three-story mansion that even boasted turrets. Solid double doors were at the top of the longest set of front porch stairs he’d ever seen. Beautiful trees surrounded the eyesore, like nature was doing its best to cover up the ugly in its midst.

He glanced at Ezra to find him staring pensively at the house, sweat shining over his upper lip. If Alaric had a choice, Ezra would never step foot in this house again. But he had to agree with the man. His mother would probably know more, and they desperately needed answers.

Ezra let out a heavy sigh. “Just like with Ezekiel, be ready and guard yourself. My mother is not friendly unless your last name fits in with her idea of proper high society. She’s from the dark ages, just like this house she chose.”

“I’m more concerned with you. We don’t have to do this.”

Ezra gave him one of those rare, sweet smiles that made Alaric’s heart flutter. “Yeah, we do. I don’t want to spend my life running from the invisible man. We have important dating to do after all.”

Alaric couldn’t resist leaning over the console to give Ezra a kiss. “Just remember, I’m with you.”

They got out and walked up the ridiculous number of stairs, only to have the front door open as they reached it. A properly suited butler ushered them inside. He said nothing as he took Ezra’s coat.

“How are you, Edward?” Ezra asked as he blew on his cold hands and rubbed them together.

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