Chapter Grayson #2
Even though they didn’t know why she’d done it, they’d thought it had been just observing him in hopes of catching him talking about his Affinities—to facilitate discovery of his Time Talent.
But this seemed, as Ignatius implied, to have a more subversive reason, given the use of Mind Manipulation to lower Grayson’s defenses.
“I’ve not had it happen before, though. Why wait until today? I’ve been her student for weeks. What has changed that she’s willing to use it now?”
There’s only silence as they try to imagine what would push a teacher to manipulate a student for the results of a mere test.
“Regardless, I don’t think Jay is the best choice to accompany you tomorrow. He’d be just as susceptible as you are,” Nimue says.
It takes all of ten seconds for Grayson to catch on to Nix.
“No,” Jay says from the doorway. “Absolutely not.”
Nix growls under his breath, so softly Grayson hopes their guests don’t hear it. Mostly because he’d feel terrible about embarrassing their Pack Alpha in front of non-pack. Their omega had taken the rules and customs of Were conduct to heart.
“He is the only one not affected by magic,” Luca chirps from under Jay’s arm. He’s holding a tea-towel, having abandoned his dish-drying duty to be sure he doesn’t miss out on The Big Plans.
“Right? I’m immune. I want to go, Jamie. I said as much this afternoon. Besides, she’s a teacher in a school with a hundred children, and teachers who, by all accounts, are stronger than she is. What’s the worst thing she can do?”
Gideon’s groan can be heard from the kitchen, and Grayson agrees: they should know better than to tempt Fate by now.
Jay’s shoulders slump a little, not enough that he appears defeated, but he’s acknowledging there is no alternative. “And what excuse are we giving? As Alpha, I have the right to oversee your education, Gray.”
“Didn’t Antonio say that Were customs were first law where Gray is concerned?” Finn drops his chin into Jay’s shoulder until their Alpha steps aside. “So, as Grayson’s soulmate and under medical advice, they shouldn’t be separated for Nix’s—our omega’s—health.”
“Ooooh, I have a doctor’s note, right?” Nix claps his hands and then high-fives Ignatius.
It’s a little concerning that the two have bonded since the Floridian contingent arrived. They share a common curiosity, pursuit of joy, and a love of sheer chaos.
“Besides, doesn’t that ‘do no harm to Omegas’ thing under the Human/Were Alliance still apply? Magic users are humans, so if that bitc—”
“Ro,” Gideon’s disembodied voice wafts out from the kitchen, where the water is running, and the clink of glassware means he’s still washing dishes and no doubt planning a coup.
“Sorry. What I meant to say is that if she tries anything, then Jamie can challenge her and boom, splat, aahhhhhhh.” He ends his high-pitched sound effects with jazz hands and then a thumb across his throat.
“Why do I even try?” Gideon says again, slamming a pot on the counter.
Elysia chuckles, whispering in her partner’s ear. “I feel the same way sometimes.”
Cracking his neck to relieve the tension that sits there every waking and sleeping moment, Jay finally agrees. “Okay. But I want regular check-ins. And I want your phone on when you’re around her, recording everything. Better yet, if you can avoid it, try not to be alone with her at all.”
“Hopefully, that won’t be necessary.” Finn opens his email.
“Antonio is arranging for a joint Were-Magical review based on our concerns that his schedule is intense and keeping Grayson from his family and other obligations. He’ll file a motion with the school’s administration first thing, and let them know Nix is coming. ”
“Excellent.” Ignatius grins, rubbing his hands together.
Grayson is fast learning that the action means he is relishing some drama, about to drop a bomb—metaphorical or literal—or just warming his hands for a masterful feat of magic.
He hopes to be that underestimated when he’s in his sixties, because despite the 1940s gumshoe suits and wild Albert Einstein hair, Ignatius Parvolio is a fucking badass.
With colored sparks from his fingers lighting up his gleeful face, he looks at Nix, his new best friend and partner-in-crime. “Shall we have fireworks now?”
“No!” All voices but Nix and Ignatius fill the quiet. Even Luca shakes his head, disappearing back into the kitchen like a frightened squirrel.
Nix settles for a game of Sparkler Charades once Luca finishes the dishes and Leo digs a pack of sparklers out of his birthday party supplies.
Grayson doesn’t tell the others that his mentor is cheating, the wily man prolonging his glowing words longer than the light would otherwise last, so he and Nix win.
Leo and Luca, who—for as much as they can write a perfect lyric and melody—can’t agree on the correct spelling of avalanche and don’t score a single point, finally devolve into a chase that tips them both into the heated pool, clothes and all.
Nimue and Elysia don’t comment on the cheating—which they can surely see—or the shrieking, already accustomed to the Rhodes Pack chaos. They’re absorbed in deep conversation with Finn and Jay about the hospital and record label.
Rowan, tired of being a man, lies with his wolfy head on Jay’s bare feet, occasionally drooling and twitching, asleep even with all the noise. Grayson thinks it’s so Jay will rub his ears and give him the attention he always craves but can never ask for.
For his part, Grayson sits quietly, absorbing the night of laughter with his found family, wondering if tomorrow will turn into the absolute shitshow his intuition says it will.
Or if by some Goddess-divined miracle, they’ll make it home in time to bathe his kids, read them a story, and maybe, if he’s lucky… he’ll get lucky.