Games & Gabbing
Zyra and her husband, Theodore, prove to be very generous hosts.
My mate’s sister wraps me into a hug the moment we’re exiting the car.
“I swear I am a nice person! I thought this was all work-related. If that rascal had told me he was bringing his mate, I would have prepared an appropriate welcome for you!”
Jackal carries our bags.
“It technically still is mission-related, sis. Even if it’s not technically work. We’ll have to explain.”
“You really don’t have to go to any trouble. I just hope we aren’t putting you out too much,” I hurry to add.
Zyra and Theodore throw together dinner in the kitchen while the rest of us work on preparations in the den. Lottie sits on the floor playing with Pickles. The whole thing is cozy, even if my nerves are still frayed from the earlier parts of the day.
Discussions of our weekend at the manor are interrupted with puppy and Lottie shenanigans a few times, but it’s a welcome distraction and mood-lightener. At one point, the young hyena shifter even declares we have to take a break long enough to play her favorite board game.
It’s a quick one, where all you have to do is draw cards and move places.
The result is technically predetermined based on what’s in the deck, but no one spoils it for her.
Exos wins, with Lottie coming in second, and the two high-five.
The size difference between his massive palm and her tiny hands is almost comical.
After dinner, her parents usher her to her room, and she is absolutely thrilled when I agree that a yawning Pickles can accompany her and sleep on a blanket next to her bed.
“A puppy sleepover!” she says as they traipse up the stairs.
“I’ll go get her tucked in,” Theodore volunteers, leaving the rest of us to chat.
“Now then”—Zyra throws a towel over her shoulder as she finishes wiping down a counter—"I think I should know what my brother has gotten himself into this time.”
“That would actually be my fault,” Starla says.
“And mine as well,” I add.
“It’ll be easier if we just explain,” Jackal says. He launches into as quick a version as possible of the events we’ve faced over the past several months and how they’ve led us to England and a forced visit to Starla’s estranged father.
“You’re telling me that Starla made a deal with Councilman Taylor to get his help intervening with a rogue coven?
A rogue coven that had been working alongside Leon Stone—the very man responsible for the pet and supernatural kidnappings and murders in Carolina Beach.
But he was only able to complete his experiments because of ideas given to him by an unknown supernatural.
And, on top of everything else, Leon also developed a special interest in Leena?
” Zyra recaps our information, and we nod.
For me, as much as we’ve gone over and over it, it’s helpful to have it simplified by an outside party.
“And now,” she continues, “you’re here to see the deal with Starla’s father through.
But her grandmother also predicted that while here you’ll somehow come into information on breaking the curse attached to Leena’s siren power.
Which she cannot use without magical and physical consequences, and if she doesn’t solve the issue she could kill herself and all of you if you’re in close proximity?
And on top of that, you’re also watching for hints of Leon’s mysterious backer, who may somehow also be tied to these answers. ”
“Yep!” Ji-hwan pops the ‘p’ at the end of the word.
“It seems to me the situation is further complicated by you lot having no clue just how you’re meant to get all these answers,” Zyra finishes.
“Other than attending the winter ball Councilman Taylor is hosting,” Jackal clarifies.
“And of course the fact that my father considers attempted kidnapping to be the same as offering me a ride to his home,” Starla says.
“Not to mention I will still have to show up tomorrow afternoon with a smile on my face, acting as though I’m totally fine spending the weekend with the same men who tried to shove me into a car. ”
Zyra taps her chin, clearly lost in thought.
We’ve already strategized our entrance to the winter weekend festivities.
We’ll enter together, although we’ll separate into the crowd to get more coverage for whatever clues we’re supposedly going to intercept.
I imagine Starla’s time will be largely filled with social introductions to eligible men, but the rest of us will be looking for clues.
The entire endeavor is far too lacking in details for comfort.
The sheer vagueness of it all would send Hugh into a tailspin.
As Never’s right-hand man and the individual who does all her vampire mansion paperwork, he’s the person I’d most like to have handling our current issue.
But while Grammy said to trust our instincts, mine didn’t consider inviting him.
“I think we have a good plan in place,” Jackal says, stretching with a yawn.
“Yes. Thanks to your sister’s hospitality, we have a secure base of operations,” Exos adds.
“And we’ll ensure we are careful on our way to and from the manor each day so they don’t track us back here,” Ji-hwan adds.
Zyra’s eyes glow, and she flashes fangs.
“If they do make their way here, they will be sorry. I do not have a deal in place with the councilman, and he’s not welcome here. I remember how he treated Jackal when we were younger.”
Starla shrugs.
“If he sends someone here, I’ll send a shock through them myself.”
Jackal pats his sister’s shoulder.
“We’re going to take every precaution. I’d never risk you two, or Lottie. We’ll keep at least one person near Starla throughout the duration of the events, and the others will spread out to engage with the other guests and find out anything we can regarding sirens or witch curses.”
Ji-hwan smirks.
“It’s like the undercover Spelled By You dating event all over again. Which is good for the rest of you, because you all get an opportunity at redemption.”
“Hey! I was doing just fine until Leon’s other cronies barged in on my date and hauled me away.
The guy I was talking to hadn’t suspected a thing.
His buddies were just a bit smarter than he was and recognized that there was no way a woman was showing that much interest in such a jerk without an ulterior motive. ” Starla puts her hands on her hips.
Possible. Or it’s possible Starla’s mouth absolutely got the better of her at some point in the exchange. But tomorrow presents a fresh chance for her to try a different strategy as well.
Zyra gets rid of her hand towel and comes to take a seat in the living room.
Ji-hwan offers his chair and moves to sit on the floor.
Zyra leans forward, elbows on her knees.
“You have to impress these people. They’re snobs. You need to fit in enough to not draw negative attention but stand out enough to be of interest, so they’ll want to approach you.”
“Exactly,” Starla says.
“Then I know what we need to do,” the hyena shifter says.
Jackal turns to her.
“All ears, sis. You have a good head for strategy.”
Zyra leans back, a smirk on her face.
“We’re going to go shopping.”
Starla gives an excited squeal.