No, it’s all of thatplusthe fact that Naomi ran off with Sawyer Solomon, the purebred hunter who trained JJ and Chester. Considering how strict Naomi always was about maintaining the bloodlines hierarchy, that part was a slap in the face for all of them.
Especially because they left right when JJ and his friends needed them most: during their final exams to become full members of the Sanctum. Strike Team Kappa’s mission was to kill the demons who murdered JJ’s and Chester’s families, and Chester’s?—
Well. Chester’s final exam was to interrogate JJ. But JJ really doesn’t like to think about that day.
Luckily, Chester doesn’t seem inclined to dwell on the past, either. “You would hate being married to Long even more than Bryant would,” he informs Roma bluntly.
She shudders. “And don’t I know it. But I’ll just find a side partner for myself. As long as I don’t get pregnant and screw up the bloodlines, no one really cares if you’re faithful to your spouse.”
“Yeah, that’s one thing about the Sanctum that still bewilders me,” JJ admits. “Why put so much emphasis on ‘proper matches’ if everyone just cheats on their partners anyway?”
Bryant smirks. “Well, you would know, wouldn’t you? Since you have a side piece of your own.”
Chester chokes on a piece of tuna. “Youwhat?”
“I donot!”JJ protests, scowling at her. “Will you quit it with that? I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Two words for you: metaphorical hay.”
“There’sno hay!”
“Hay?” Roma repeats, squinting suspiciously between them.“Whathay?”
JJ glowers at Bryant. She smiles innocently back. “Bryant has this ludicrous theory that I’m seeing a guy outside the Sanctum. Spoiler alert: I’m not.”
To JJ’s indignation, Roma looks skeptical. “I mean, are you sure?”
“Am I sure that I’m not seeing anyone?” he repeats incredulously. “How could I possiblynotbe sure about that?”
“Well, youhavebeen spending all your days off away from the Sanctum lately?—”
“To buytacos,Roma! I’ve had a craving!”
“—andyou’ve been spending all your money,” she finishes relentlessly.
Bryant looks thrilled. “He’swhat?”
JJ gapes at Roma, aghast. “How do you?—?”
“Our accounts are linked, remember? I see all your low balance alerts.”
Damn Roma for actually checking her alerts. JJ is pretty sure that Bryant just ignores them. “Listen?—”
“JJ,” Chester says seriously, leaning forward. “I understand why you wouldn’t tellthesetwo psychos if you’re seeing someone, but why wouldn’t you tellme?”
“I’m not—” All at once, JJ snaps his mouth shut, his thoughts racing at light speed.
Bryant’s general lunacy and lack of propriety could easily be explained away, but ifRomahas started realizing that he’s spending all his days off in town—and that he’s powerless to resist buying Desi everything her heart desires—then that’s another story. And now that Chester is primed to notice JJ’s behavior, too?—
He needs to get out ahead of this while he can. Think up a suitable cover story, one that’ll satisfy their morbid curiosity—and keep them from digging any further.
After all, if one of them followed him into town one day as a joke, he doesn’t want to imagine how quickly he would be burned as a dissident for consorting with demons.
And, much as he hates to admit it, theyhavealready handed him an explanation on a silver platter. Reluctantly, he leans forward, lowering his voice. “Okay. Hypothetically, if therewerea guy?—”
Roma and Chester both look thunderstruck. Bryant fist-pumps triumphantly. “Iknewit!”
“Hypothetically,”JJ stresses. “If therewerea guy, then it’s, uh. Then it’s still very early stages. Not even worth the effort to call it a ‘thing’ yet. And—” He darts a glance at Roma. “And I’m spending more money than usual because I, um. Just have very little impulse control. When cute guys are involved.”
