Page 187 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
“Don’t let Elias cook,” I teased. “That’s all the thanks I need.”
“Thank you, Alastor,” Brenton said. “I’d kiss you too, but I don’t think our friendship is there yet.”
“I’ll save the kiss for a different occasion.” Alastor smirked.
Brenton laughed.
Alastor and I headed for the door while Elias and Brenton walked to Hayden, who unfortunately was witnessing far too much of our personal lives. Not that I didn’t like him. I did. I just didn’t like that he was there to see so much. Especially this with Brenton.
Already, Brenton felt horrible. Hell, it wasn’t that long ago he’d called himself pathetic. He didn’t need those he wasn’t comfortable around seeing him in such a vulnerable state.
When Finley screamed again, I stilled at the door. Widening my eyes, I turned to Alastor.
“I think you should knock,”I told him, using his mind-speak magic.
Alastor pushed me closer to the door.“You should knock.”
“Alastor—”
“You’re the queen,”he argued, grinning far too wide.
“Don’t give me that shit.”
I tensed when Finley and Etienne started shouting over each other. Alastor lifted my hand and although I fought him, he used my knuckles to knock. I kicked his shin, making him laugh.
“You’re my least favorite cousin,” I hissed when I heard someone coming to the door.
He dropped his arm on my head. “Same.”
Finley faltered when she opened the door, but she put a fixed smile on her face while she ran her fingers through her dark black hair.
“Teddy, Alastor,” she said a bit higher than necessary. “We weren’t expecting you.”
Etienne came up from behind her to open the door wider. “I’m sure you heard the argument we were having.” He set his lips in a thin line. “I hope Brenton left before?—”
“It’s safe to say he heard most, if not all of it,” I said.
“I’m sorry.” He dropped his forehead to the door. “He shouldn’t have to deal with any of this.”
I stared at Finley when I said, “I agree.” I turned to Etienne. “That’s actually why we’re here.”
She edged back. “Do you want to come in?”
As we stepped inside, Leah came up behind us. We followed them through the house, and Finley flinched when we reached a shattered lamp on thefloor.
“I apologize,” she said weakly. “Sometimes when I get angry, my magic?—”
Etienne took her by the shoulders and pressed her to his chest. “Don’t apologize for having emotions or for your magic.”
When we reached their living room, we all stood in front of the couches without sitting.
“Teddy and I believe our magic can help you with your convulsions,” Alastor told Etienne before he turned to Leah. “The magic won’t require much from her and will not affect the babes, but we’d like you present to monitor them if Etienne agrees to allow us to cast the spell.”
Leah nodded and took a seat on the edge of the couch.
“The spell won’t heal you entirely, but with the help of the medicine you’re taking, it should dramatically decrease how many seizures you’re having,” Alastor said.
“Etienne, I’m sure you’re a good male,” I said, “but after tonight, I don’t want either of you contacting Brenton for anything.” I ignored the way Finley stiffened. “He has gone out of his way to help you. He’s done far more than anyone else has, all because he loves his mate. You said it yourself. This is killing him, so I’m putting a stop to it.”
