Page 5 of Midnight Rules
“Grandpa says you’re feeling bad again.” Regan scooted closer.
“A…l-little…b-bad.” It still amazed him how Regan took to their family as if he’d always been one of them and they hadn’t found him nearly beaten to death and hanging on by a thread.
Marric drank a little more of the tea when Miss Marie gave him the stink-eye.
“Emery needed to cuddle, but she’s sleeping now. Do you need to cuddle, Papa?”
Marric nodded, and that was all it took for Regan to get under the blankets and press against his side.
Marric put an arm around Regan. “Th-thanks.”
Regan touched his forehead, as if he were taking his temperature.
Dad covered them with another blanket.
Miss Marie took the cup away and focused on Regan. “You’re a good boy.”
Regan seemed to soak up the praise as if he hadn’t gotten a lot before stumbling into their yard.
Miss Marie narrowed her eyes at Dad. “Youaren’t a good boy. In fact, you’ve been rather stubborn lately.”
Dad growled. “Don’t start, old lady.”
“Your life would get a lot easier if you just listened to me and let the clan vote for the next alpha.”
Marric mentally pumped his fist into the air when Dad crossed his arms over his chest.
“You’ve done your job. Now get out and let Marric sleep.”
Miss Marie huffed as she left the room. “Let the voting happen and your life will instantly get better,” She yelled as she made her way down the hall.
Kinnison sat on the side of the bed. He felt Marric’s head. Something about his dad doing that made Marric feel like a child again. He could forget, for a moment, that he hadn’t spent all night trying to save Emery and himself.
“I wish I could stop it,” Regan whispered.
Kinnison cupped Regan’s cheek next. “What do you wish you could stop, Regan?”
“The curse.”
“What curse?”
“The one in Emery and Marric’s blood.”
Kinnison swore at the same time Marric sucked in a breath. It was Marric who recovered first. He tried to calm his racing heart. “How do you know it’s a curse, Regan?”
“It’s dark. My magic likes the dark.” The subject change was abrupt, but it wasn’t unusual for Regan.
“You’ve never talked about your magic before.” Kinnison tried to lighten his tone, but the accusation was still there.
Regan snuggled closer to Marric, as if wanting his protection. “I don’t want to get punished.”
“We won’t punish you, honey. We promise.” Marric kissed the top of Regan’s head.
“We don’t punish each other in this family, Regan. You know that.” They reinforced good behavior. It was practically his dad’s mantra. Marric sometimes thought his dad had to remind himself of that, especially when Emery had been feeling like a normal teenage girl instead of sick and bedridden. Teenagers sucked, especially for a single dad trying to do his best.
“Look at me, Regan.” Kinnison didn’t pull the blanket away, but Marric could tell he wanted to.
Regan peeked out from under it, uncovering his eyes.
