Those words shouldn’t be so hot. But something about how Connall’s always so thoughtful, always so ready for anything, always so steady and kind…it gives me something I haven’t had since Caroline died. She was my rock. My best friend. And her daughters are my best friends now.
I never knew how to recapture that feeling of safety and security that I lost when she passed. But looking at Connall standing in the kitchen with dinner ready brings that feeling back.
His smirk falls, and he rounds the island, bright green eyes scanning my face. “Your scent changed, sweetheart. What’s wrong?”
Dirk holds me tighter.
“My sister was like you,” I admit. “Always prepared. Always mothering me because I was so much younger than her. She always brought me snacks, always remembered when my dance concerts were. I was a flighty kid; I?—”
Words fail me. I don’t know how to explain that feeling of home I get being here with them, don’t know how to admit all of that aloud when this is still so new. It’s a struggle to remind myself that monsters often move far faster than humans do when it comes to relationships. Maybe they won’t find my rush of emotion weird.
Connall pulls his shirt over his head, revealing a broad chest covered in fine hair. Wolfish tattoos cover both pecs and scroll down both arms to his hands. He presses himself against me, his skin burning hot. Being sandwiched between them is my new favorite place in the world. Dirk’s lightning streaks across his skin, gathering where our bodies touch. And Connall’s a furnace, a deep purr rumbling from him.
“I didn’t mean to get all sappy,” I admit.
Connall strokes my jawline, his eyes morphing to full green as his wolf comes forward to look at me.
“We’re gonna eat, Sweetheart. And we’re gonna talk about what’s going on. And then we’re going to bed, alright? If you’re in my arms, I can keep you safe. I have to believe that.”
I can’t muster up any response other than a quick nod, not when Connall’s like this. It’s easy to let him take charge, especially with Dirk a quiet, steady presence at my back.
Connall turns from us and goes back to the island. He cuts the lasagna as Dirk and I join, sitting on the tall stools on the other side. Dirk shifts his chair close, laying an arm on the back of mine as Connall brings our plates to us.
Dirk rubs my shoulder in soft circles. “Louanna, what do you think about seeing Leighton? Yeh’ve had a day to consider it. What do you think is going on?”
Connall’s eyes flash a brighter color as he lays his palms flat on the island and stares at me.
I pick at the lasagna.
“I don’t know. I think it’s odd that we found Amatheia hurt and then I see someone we know is dead. Not just dead, but cremated. It makes no sense.”
Connall straightens and turns, walking across the room. He grabs the communication disk from his wall and returns, setting it on the countertop.
He looks over at Dirk and me. “I had an idea while Lou was just talking. I’ve got a contact at Shadowsurf. He might have insight.”
I force myself to eat a bite of the lasagna even though my blood runs cold at what he just said. When I manage to swallow it, I look up at him. “You think this has something to do with my mental state?”
Connall blanches and shakes his head.
“I don’t know, Lou. But it’s significant that you’re the only one who sees Leighton. Given that Slade doesn’t know what happened and Morgan can’t heal Amatheia, I think it makes sense to explore another avenue where we might find information. That’s all I mean.”
I chew another bite of lasagna as I consider his words. He’s right. If there’s any way we can find out what’s going on, we should explore that. I shove my initial hurt feelings aside and nod.
“We should definitely call. Want to do it while we eat?”
Connall nods and depresses a button on top of the round disk. “Call Ezekiel Blackwater.”
Blackwater. The same last name as Connall. I wonder if?—
A hologram of a handsome, auburn-haired male rises from the disk. Blue eyes crinkle at the corners when he sees Connall. He could be Connall’s brother, honestly. They’ve got the same hair and their features are similar. The other male is slightly lankier, his jawline and nose sharper. He’s handsome.
Dirk’s fingers curl around my shoulder.
“Cousin, you’re looking well,” Mr. Hologram says.
Connall smiles and crosses his arms. “Zeke, it’s good to see you.” He jerks his head toward us. “Meet Lou and Dirk.”
Zeke turns and takes us in, his lips curling into a little smirk. “Hello Dirk and Lou.” He looks back to Connall. “I haven’t seen you in an age. Is everything okay?”
