Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
I collapse back in the chair in bliss, then my kiss-addled brain starts firing, and the words, “Your dad gave me a heads up; he had an interesting conversation with our friend, Mac. Your coven will arrive any minute,” finally sink in and echo around my brain.
Oh no.
No-no-no. My eyes widen. I bend forward and wrap my arms around myself as dread fills me. My mum and dad are coming. They are coming and my time to get a grip on this situation has run out.
Bloody Mac. That damn shifter has gone and dobbed me in to my dad.
My mum is going to flip out. She is going to be a thing of nightmares.
I sink back into the chair and my hands shake as I imagine her face when she found out about my new, shiny magic.
Not from me, oh no, but from one of my dad’s associates.
I cringe. She’s had time to work herself up into a frenzy, and now they are coming to visit.
Yay.
“What is wrong?”
“Nothing,” I whisper.
“Tell me what you are thinking that has such a sad, frightened look on your face.”
“They are my thoughts,” I grumble in a petulant tone.
What is it about our parents that can reduce us from perfectly normal functioning adults back to little kids?
“I am fine.”
Owen chuckles, making me feel even more silly. His grey eyes narrow, and he places his hands on my desk and leans toward me. Our faces are so close, my eyes cannot help but drop to stare at his beautiful full lips.
Crikey, the man is beautiful.
“You are a terrible liar.” He taps his nose. “The fear wafting from you burns.”
“Oh.” Oh crap. I look down at my hands and cringe. “I’m sorry.” I don’t want his sensitive shifter nose to have to deal with my stink.
I try to roll the chair away, but the frustrating hellhound just follows me, concern and determination written all over his face. He grabs hold of the chair and wheels me back towards him as he sinks to his knees. He is trying to make himself smaller. My tummy flips.
I take in a deep breath and blow out a series of short breaths to gain control. My knee bounces.
Somehow, I know he will respect my privacy and let this go. But he’s earned an explanation. Am I brave enough to be honest? I’ve never told anyone. He is going to see my coven in action for himself. There will be no hiding it.
Forewarned is forearmed, I guess.
But then… she’s always so lovely around strangers, and even with my coven, she hides her nastiness so well.
They see me as the bad penny. I’m her scapegoat.
If I tell him and she acts all loving, then he’s going to think I’m a liar.
I don’t want to see the distrust or distaste in his eyes.
It would break me further. This is why I don’t let anyone close.
I chomp on my lip, and then the words blurt out.
“I’m worried about what she will say, what with the whole host thing…
” My voice trails off and Owen’s eyes soften.
I drop my voice to a bare whisper. “She can be a bit much, my mum.” I twist the cashmere fabric of my dress and thread it through my fingers.
“It’s stupid, but she can be scary. I-I didn’t ring her when I should have and now Mac—”
“Hey. Hey, Flash, I got you.” His humungous hand comes up and his thumb brushes away the stupid tears that are trickling down my face. No, he doesn’t.
“You are only here ’cause my dad asked you.”
“Is that what you think? I’m not staying ’cause your dad asked me.
Tuesday Larson, you intrigue me. I have an overwhelming urge to be around you.
” The hellhound smiles down at me. I lean into his hand and close my eyes for a second.
“I am on your side. I will always be on your side. If you want me to, I can meet them and send them back on their way. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.
I’ve got big shoulders; I can deal with your mum. I can be your rock, your shield.”
Wow.
No. One. Has. Ever.
“Or if you don’t want me as a shield, I’ll be here to pick you up, dust you off if you ever fall.”
Oof, my heart just doubled in size, then exploded. I am done for.
“T-thank you,” I rasp. The hellhound kisses my forehead, and I turn my head and kiss his hand that was holding my face.
I am so in love with this man. I don’t care if it’s only been a few days. Soul-deep, I feel overwhelming love. He is mine. I might not be his, but I don’t care, even if it makes me a fool. He is worth it.
“What you need is to stick with people who pull the magic out of you, not the madness.” I blink at him and sniffle.
“I hate magic,” I whine.
Owen chuffs. “It is a quote, and I meant it figuratively. You need to be around people that bring out the best in you, not people who drive you crazy or frighten you.”
“She is my mum.”
“Doesn’t matter,” he says gruffly. “You hate your magic? Huh. Really? From what I can see, you were made for this. Your use of magic is effortless. For you, it is as easy as breathing. Do you think the other hosts find it so easy? Do you think I’ve seen anyone do what you do?
Forrest told me how you dealt with the warriors.
How you bossed them all about.” His eyes twinkle.
“How you saved Sebastian and healed me. You are so incredible, unique, and so damn brave. Stop doubting yourself. I believe in you.”
I sniff again, and my lips curl up into a tiny smile. Owen is super old. He must know what he’s talking about, right?
“Are you going to be okay?”
I nod. “I think I am.”
“Good. Okay, I am gonna go have a little chat with Mac,” he growls.
The hellhound kisses my forehead and prowls out of my office to go deal with his friend who Owen thinks is still loitering in reception.
I think, from his expression, he is also planning to put Mac in a headlock and punch him a few times in the face.
Ha. I want to put Mac in a headlock and see if I can punch him in his face.
I’m so mad at him. I knew the shifter was a dick.
I didn’t know the extent of his dickishness.
If I had, well, I would have charged him for the use of the hotel. I huff and get up from my chair.
I rub my arms. I need to think of a way to get Owen the hell out of here, at least for a few hours.
I don’t want the man I love being brought into my coven shit.
We have this special thing going on. We’ve had our first kiss and now…
Now my mum, my dad, and whoever else from my coven are coming to ruin everything.
Ah shit.
My hands flutter as I firmly tug and then smooth out the fabric of my dress.
From what I can see, it looks immaculate.
I tuck a loose strand of violet hair behind my ear and sigh up at the ceiling.
I’m a horrible person. I know it’s not Mac’s fault, and he isn’t a dick. I shouldn’t blame him for my mistake.
It’s my fault. I should have told my coven before anyone else had the opportunity. This is on me.
I’m glad then that Mac has already left the dimension with the last of the elves, including Forrest, and her brother.
“Come on Daisy Duco, our pain in the arse coven is coming.” Daisy gets up from the desk with a stretch and an enormous yawn.
She waves her wing at me, her way of asking me to carry her.
I roll my shoulders, scoop her off the desk, and shuffle into reception.
With a flick of magic, I drop the barrier around the front of the hotel and—
Gosh, everything inside me wants me to lock the portals down and run.
I love my coven, but I don’t want them here. This entire situation is going to end up being an embarrassing mess. Different versions of this moment have played out before. It always ends with me the loser.
Owen’s phone rings. “Hello. Yes, sir. I will ask her.” He puts the phone to his chest. “It’s your dad. He asked for you to send the portal. He has tried asking for sanctuary without success.”
No, they don’t need sanctuary; they never have. It’s me that has needed it from them. Get a grip, Tuesday, I mentally snarl. Other people have it worse and your witch girl problems aren’t even that bad. I need to count my blessings.
I picture my dad in my mind and visualise opening the portal at his location. With a snap of magic that crackles the air and makes the little strands of hair on my nape raise, there’s the familiar warning tingle, and then, with swirling green magic, the portal rips open into my realm.