Chapter 4 #3
She wanted to sink into that gaze and lose herself forever. Which was why she turned for her drink. She was afraid to commit only to find herself in murky depths.
The people around them scattered as Aljoe reached the newly vacated seat next to Tristan.
Nessa flared her hands, leaning forward to see around Tristan to Aljoe. “I was trying to show off my new skills, and you just waltz in and overshadow everything by tossing people around.”
“Sorry about that.” He adjusted his seat, facing a little more toward Tristan so he could see Austin and Jessie better. “We’re all settled. Do it now.”
She stared at him for a moment, making sure he meant that she should try to influence him. She didn’t want to make a misstep and get thrown across the room like that gargoyle.
Aljoe gave her a nod of encouragement.
She shrugged. “Okay.”
Her magic curled through the air, tendrils of energy carrying her bidding.
She’d done this subconsciously most of her life, she’d realized, using mostly unknown magic to coax people.
It hadn’t had the same focus, though, lacking in power and complexity.
After studying, she had a much better grasp. Now she just had to practice.
The energy surrounded Aljoe, softly pushing at him, then harder. It infused his person. Leave your chair.
His eyes sparked—he was clearly feeling it. Resisting it.
She pushed harder, trying to block out the decadent feel of Tristan’s presence thrumming beside her. The magnetic pull of his body. The handsome man currently focused intently on her.
Her core tightened as her body heated.
“No.” Aljoe shook his head. “Not enough push, especially after feeling Jessie trying to goad me.”
“I wasn’t trying to goad you.” Jessie took a sip of her wine. “I was trying to free you. You’re welcome.”
A knowing smirk curled Tristan’s lips, and it was then that Nessa noticed her energy had splintered.
Before she could regain her focus, Tristan said, “You’re not advanced enough to tell him to leave and tell me to lean closer to you—not at the same time.” He barely paused. “Shall I get you a refill?”
She frowned as he turned for the bartender and yanked her energy back. It was annoying that he was right.
“What did you want to talk about?” Jessie asked Niamh, looping her arm around Austin’s so she could rest her hand on his forearm.
A strange sense of longing tightened Nessa’s chest. She turned away for a moment, trying to get her bearings.
“You shouldn’t be able to see my energy,” she said softly—albeit accusingly—only wanting Tristan to hear. “Not without having the sort of magic I do. A couple books made that point clear.”
“Following that precedent, I also shouldn’t have glowing amber eyes.” His gaze traced her face. “But I do.”
“It’s all sorted,” Niamh said, answering Jessie. She waved the comment away.
“What’s all sorted?” Jessie asked.
“Aljoe has been having a problem with the gargoyles in the territory.” Phil glanced behind him at someone who kicked his chair.
A garhette laughed, apologized, and patted him on the shoulder.
“He wasn’t sure how to handle them, and asked Jasper and Ulric for help.
They told Niamh. Niamh planned to tell you, giving suggestions.
But now it’s fixed. I can’t wait to go to battle with him. Very fierce.”
“That first part was supposed to be a secret,” Aljoe said without inflection.
“It was a secret,” Phil replied. “But now it’s fixed, so it doesn’t need to be a secret.”
“Oh, are those the rules now?” Aljoe asked.
“Those were always the rules. You just didn’t know them,” Phil replied.
“Be yourself here,” Austin told Aljoe seriously.
“You’ve seen how Tristan and Sue posture.
The basajaunak are aggressive when they need to be.
The legendary creatures stroll around. Everyone has a different way of coexisting.
We’re well able to roll with all the big personalities within this territory.
Just follow the rules…even when you don’t know them. ”
Aljoe turned to survey Austin for a long moment. “In moving here, I was trying to shift my mindset.” He reached for one of the snifters he and Tristan had been delivered, along with a refresh of Nessa’s drink. “Trying to blend in.”
“You were not trying very hard,” Phil said.
Nessa and Niamh snorted.
“Why?” Jessie asked. “You don’t seem like a guy who has ever wanted to blend in.”
Aljoe studied his drink for a moment. “I think it’s that I still don’t understand all this.
I don’t understand how it works. I can’t fathom Austin’s being comfortable with me posturing like an alpha, not with my power and experience leading a large pack.
” He shook his head. “All I’ve known is the role of an alpha.
And then I wanted nothing to do with it.
There was never supposed to be a middle ground. I’m…not acclimating well.”
“In case yis couldn’t tell, he nearly choked on those words coming out,” Niamh said, taking her freshened cider.
Aljoe looked over at her slowly, death lurking in his eyes.
“Oh no, you weren’t ever going to blend in.” Nessa laughed.
“You’re used to structure,” Austin told him.
“You’re used to creating it and enforcing it.
Ivy House doesn’t have any structure, and I think that’s what’s not making sense.
You don’t know where you fit, so you’re trying to act like you don’t fit anywhere.
” He paused for a moment. “Let’s make you a beta.
Maybe you lead more than just shifters so that it doesn’t feel like a pack. ”
“Take Jasper and Ulric,” Tristan said. “You need fliers, and as we’re getting more guardians in, they’re getting lost in the shuffle. They aren’t as big or fast as the other guys. They are great at stealth, though, and they know the Ivy House team. A special unit would be a good place for them.”
“Take them all, if you want.” Jessie shrugged. “Maybe you can get them in a line.”
“I…” Aljoe froze. His gaze zipped to Niamh. “Let’s take it one step at a time.”
“And other clichés and stuff,” Nessa said, and winked at Jessie.
Tristan jerked, his gaze snapping to her.
His eyes glowed brightly but he didn’t comment.
Jessie gave her a soft smile, and suddenly Nessa wondered what she’d missed.
And how long she would be able to ignore the effect Tristan had on her when he looked so intently at her like that.
Or leaned just that little bit, as though he couldn’t help reacting to her orbit.
“I think for now,” Austin said, “we’ll start with a beta title, Aljoe. That’ll give you permission to toss stubborn and curious gargoyles out of your way. It’ll help you integrate better, I think.”
Austin waited for Aljoe’s nod before going on.
“You’ve seen our lineup. Sue and Tristan will remain in their placements. You will form a line behind the Ivy House crew, putting them in the middle of a triangle. Jess and I will be at the head of that triangle. The basajaunak, who are taller, will gather behind you.”
“And then the Ivy House crew won’t need a line because they’ll be corralled.” Nessa gave Jessie a thumbs-up. “Voilà.”
“Is it too late for regrets, or…” Aljoe lifted his brow at them.
Nessa nodded slowly. “Sadly, yes. Sorry, it’s like the Hotel California, and you’ve already checked in. You’re here for good.” She snapped her fingers. “Speaking of, when do your sisters come to get lessons on their swagger? Maybe we can induct your whole family.”