Page 54 of Bony Bony
Nova,Zoe, andIfound a high-top table in front of a window with a view ofBostonbelow while the guys ordered drinks at the bar.
“Oh, it was awesome!”Ideclared.Igave her a playful nudge. “Perfectfor outdoor sex under the stars.”
“Uhoh,Gianna’sback.”Novashook her head and grinned. “I’mglad you’re back to being you, even if it meansIhave to suffer through listening to some sexcapades.”
Ilaughed. “Don’tworry,Iwas just teasing to get a rise out of you.Wemostly used the big king-sized bed in the hotel?—”
“Overhere.”Zoewaved to the guys to indicate our location, and likely to cut me off beforeIgot into any more sordid details.
Theywalked to us, andSebastianhanded me a glass of champagne. “Hereyou are, beautiful.”
“Thanks.”Ismiled at him as he sat across from me.
“Anyway, theAzoresare beautiful.Iwas just tellingNovaandZoeabout our vacation.”IflashedNovaa sly grin before sharing a summary of the highlights—sans the sexcapades.
“Weate and drank alot,”Sebastianadded. “Thefood was absolutely phenomenal.I’dgo back in a heartbeat.”
“Perhapswe’ll go there one day.Agroup trip,”Novasuggested.
Lucasgrunted and then chuckled. “Thelast time we went on one of those,Icame back with a few stragglers that caused more than a little mischief.”Hebrushed his shoulders as if something was perched on them—notably the sprites that had followed him home.
“You’llnever forget our wedding then,I’msure,”Iremarked and took a sip of my champagne.
“True.”Lucasagreed. “Thewedding and the trip were awesome.Thetag-a-long sprites, not so much.”Heglanced around the bar. “Thisis a pretty swanky place.Somuch nicer than some of the dive barsI’vegone for shows.”
Same.Mymost recent experience had been at the one whenI’dsung on stage withZane.Iblinked to shove that memory away and focus on the moment, being here withSebastianand my friends for a concert we were all looking forward to.Shiftingmy focus to our surroundings,Igazed over the oversized, high-back chairs and plush seating that filled the room.Whata stark difference from the bars out in the crowded walkways with vendors hawking “Coldbe-ah” in their thickBostonaccents.Therich scent of alcohol imbued the surroundings.Televisionsmounted above showcased music videos or local sports.
“Weshould have a toast,”Isuggested.
“Tokicking supernatural badass criminals, followed by a celebration at a concert?”Lucasprompted, flashing his signature wide grin. “It’sbeen a great stretch with them.TheCureand nowDepecheMode.”Heraised his beer glass.
“Howabout a toast to fewer supernatural criminals and more good music?”Novasaid.
“No, wait,”Iinterrupted, my recent bout with dark magic still fresh in my mind. “Howabout to usnotbeing enchanted, bespelled, cursed, or affected by magic against our will in any way?”
Diegogrunted. “I’lldrink to that.”Heuntwisted the vial from theGothicpendant he wore that carried blood.Hepoured it into his red wine and fastened the vial back to the necklace.
Novaglanced at him with a sympathetic expression. “Right,” she agreed.
Henarrowed his eyes and winced. “Tobe under the influence of another.”Heshuddered, as if shaking off the memory of being under his ex’s control.
Iexhaled and gripped my champagne stem.Havingsomeone control me was a nightmare, oneI’dstruggled with sinceIclashed with my overprotective father.Itook a deep breath and exhaled.Thatwas all in the past.Iwas here with my friends now, and they’d proven many times that they’d risk everything to save me, for whichIwas grateful.
“Hellyeah,”Lucassaid. “AsIrecall, it wasn’t too long ago thatIwas cursed myself—frozen as a stone statue in my backyard.”Courtesyof one of the grumbling sprites.
Diegococked his head and quipped. “Iliked having you back there.Youwere quiet for once.”
Lucasplayfully punchedDiegoin the arm. “Careful.OrImay get a witch to give you a potion to lighten up.”
“Don’teven joke about it,”Zoewarned with a sigh.
“Allrighty.”Lucasgazed atZoewith warmth.She’dhelped free him from the stone curse. “Atleast we had each other to get out of those predicaments.”
“So, to peaceful, normal lives,”Novasaid.
Iraised my champagne glass and declared, “Andbeing free from dark magic.”
“Andour friends always having our backs,”Sebastianadded.
