Ever Marked (Mystics of Mercy Ridge #1)

18. Arson

Chapter 18

Arson

T he front door shuts, and I glance over from my post on the wall as Ledger appears a minute later, pulling up short as he takes in the scene in his living room. His nostrils flare, and I can only imagine how annoying that ability is. Imagine walking into a brothel, or down near the fishing docks. Some things you just can’t unsmell, and after knocking over a bottle of rum a little bit ago, this place smells like a distillery.

“Are they drunk?” Ledger demands, glowering at me for whatever reason.

“One hundred percent sloshed, yep.”

The wolf pulls the strap of his messenger bag over his head, setting it aside with a furrowed brow. “Do I even want to ask what you three have been up to today?”

“Probably, it’s a really interesting story. But that’s not important right now; look at ‘em.”

Myles and Ever have transformed the living room floor into a nest of pillows and blankets. Empty snack wrappers and popcorn surround them as they lie curled up in the center. Ever’s head is resting on Myles’s chest with her hand up his shirt, watching the movie with her blinks getting longer and longer each time she closes her eyes. Myles has his face buried in her hair, breathing in her sweet scent as he clutches her in his sleep after passing out a little bit ago.

Ledger stares at them with a wistful expression I know far too well. “Damn, I can’t even be mad you let them get trashed. That's adorable.” He pulls out his phone to take a picture.

“Aren't they? And Vic said I sucked at sharing. Look at me now, sharing my girl with my brother; I'm fucking great at sharing.”

“Brother?” He tucks his phone away to give me his full attention. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Told you it was an interesting story.” At his pointed glare, I roll my eyes. “That’s why I left the guild. I wanted to find my baby brother that was given up for adoption.” I gesture at Myles. “Assassins are great at hide and seek. See? Found him.”

…And Ever likes him better. Why wouldn’t she? My brother’s crazy talented, and understands all of the techy stuff she’s into. They have more in common, and she didn’t hesitate to kiss the hell out of him earlier, either.

I stroke one of the more brutal scars riddling my left arm, glancing at the right and realizing it’s not in much better shape. Pulling my shadows closer to my body, I turn to Ledger. “I should put her to bed. Keep an eye on him for me?”

“Just crash here tonight. I’m not going to be able to sleep unless I can keep an eye on her until she sobers up anyway.” Without waiting for my assent, he strides over and carefully plucks her out of the sea of blankets. “Come on, beautiful, let’s get you to bed.”

She groans, curling into his chest and slurring, “Just ding dong ditch me on the doorstep, Casper’s stabby.”

I snort. At least even drunk she knows not to bring guys home.

Ledger chuckles. “Guess you better stay here then.”

Ever hums, eyes closed. “It’s your funeral.”

My lips twitch as I watch Ledger carry her down the hall and up the staircase. Once they’re out of sight, I pick up Myles, using a few shadow tendrils to shake off some stray popcorn. He doesn’t so much as twitch, snoring away with his glasses askew and dead to the world, completely vulnerable. I don’t think I’ve slept that deeply in my entire life; my world was too cruel to completely drop my guard. That’s something Ever and I share that he’ll never really understand.

He can be her light, and I can be her shadow. It doesn’t have to be a competition. Together, we can give her everything she needs.

“I’m going to be the best brother you could ask for,” I promise, wincing as his head hits the doorway. “Starting now.”

Then maybe someday I’ll finally have a family that doesn’t look at me like I’m a monster.