31. Evelyn
31
Evelyn
L ife felt strangely normal after the showdown with Eris despite the flood of supernaturals wanting to join our cause. With my Phoenix powers unlocked—and a new side of Lucien making my nights interesting—I could finally relax.
Our days were spent strategizing and training, preparing for the fight ahead, while our evenings were filled with laughter. We played games, shared stories, and made the most of the rare moments of peace.
I was in the mood for a movie and popcorn tonight, but as usual, choosing one turned into an ordeal.
“Movie night!” I announced, clapping my hands together. “We all need a break after today’s training session.”
The guys perked up, but the debate had already begun.
Chad bounced on the couch, grinning. “Oh man, we gotta watch ‘Zombie Cheerleaders from Mars.’ It’s hilarious, and there’s some pretty epic explosions!”
I cringed. “That sounds…interesting.”
“How about ‘Eternal Love’s Embrace’?” Rafe suggested softly, his eyes hopeful. “It’s a beautiful story of-”
Chad groaned dramatically, cutting him off. “Bor-ing!”
Lucien rolled his eyes. “I propose ‘The Rise of Potion Making’ - a twelve-part documentary series.”
“Are you trying to kill me?” Chad clutched his chest in mock horror.
“I vote for a period drama,” Alister suggested.
“No way,” Chad protested. “We need something with explosions!”
Ryker mumbled, “How about horror?”
I bit back a laugh.
These guys were ridiculous, but I loved them.
“How about we compromise? Action-adventure with a touch of romance?” I looked to Ryker, a small smile playing on my lips. “Maybe no horror this time. I feel like we’ve got enough of our own coming soon.”
There were groans, but eventually, they all agreed.
“Great! Now, who’s on snack duty?”
We bustled around, popping popcorn and gathering an assortment of treats that could make a dentist weep.
Finally, we settled onto the sofas to watch, and I found myself squished between Chad and Lucien. The latter held my hand and traced soft circles against my palm, making my heart flutter.
As the opening credits rolled, Alister commented, “I do hope this film has proper etiquette. The lack of manners in modern cinema is appalling.”
Chad snorted. “Lighten up, Count Fancypants. It’s all about the explosions!”
“If you say ‘explosion’ one more time, I’ll turn you into a toad,” Lucien grumbled.
“You wouldn’t really do that, would you?” Rafe asked.
“Nah,” I reassured him. “Lucien’s just extra grumpy because we vetoed his boring documentary.”
“I heard that,” Lucien muttered, but I caught the hint of a smile on his lips.
As the movie played, Chad provided a running commentary. “Oh, come on, that sword fight is so fake!”
Rafe was completely enthralled, gasping at every plot twist. When a lead character was presumed dead, I caught him wiping away a tear.
To my surprise, even Lucien seemed invested. When the big reveal came, he muttered, “That’s actually a decent twist. Predictable, but well-executed.”
Alister leaned forward, critiquing the historical flashback accuracy of the costumes. “That’s not how we dressed in the 18th century.”
“Shh,” Rafe whispered, engrossed in the story.
I felt warmth spreading through my chest. This was what family felt like—chaotic, loud, and absolutely perfect. I smiled to myself. Maybe movie nights should become a regular thing.
As the credits rolled, I realized moments like these made everything worthwhile, no matter what challenges we faced. My eyes swept over my mates, and I knew I’d fight heaven and hell to keep this family safe.