Youve changed, he said.
In two weeks? She wanted to snort. She couldnt. He was right.
Yeah. Hed already placed the equipment on the nightstand, the ink ready to go. He lifted the tiny gun and pressed the needle deep. There was a sharp sting, a persistent burn and the buzz of the little motor. Maybe her homesickness had toughened her upshe didnt even flinch.
Do you think Ive changed for the better? Stop. Dont pursue this. You might not like what you learn.
I liked you how you were.
He sounded bitter. She had to pursue. Which was weak? Reliant on you?
You werent weak.
Well, I wasnt strong, either.
And youre strong now? Ouch. Im stronger. So you dont like me now? Why are you pursuing this?
I like you. What I dont like is the company you keep, he added loudly.
This is boring, Tucker said, pacing at the edge of the bed. Someone entertain me.
They ignored him.
How did you and Tucker hook up? Riley asked. His touch became more aggressive. And I dont mean that in the romantic sense. Unless theres something you need to tell me. And if thats the case
Its not, theres not, she rushed to assure him. Things might be over between them, but she didnt want him to think shed jumped into something with Tucker. After stabbing Adenwhich I still havent forgiven him for she said just as loudly as Riley had Tucker came looking for me. He saw me leave my house with a bag and followed me.
I followed you. You did everything in your power to lose me. Him, you kept around. Yep. That was bitterness, pure and fervent. More than that, him had been said with so much disgust, Riley could have been discussing a case of raging diarrhea.
In his mind, he probably was.
Yeah, she said, tone softening, but I care about hurting you.
Nice, Mary Ann, Tucker said dryly. Real nice.
They ignored him.
Riley paused. Set the ink gun aside, and reached for her. His fingers traced over her jaw, caressing. Mary Ann didnt mean to, but she leaned into the familiar, calloused touch, her eyes closing. Just then, they were the only two people in the world.
She breathed him in, pretending she was normal, he was normal, everything was normal. That wild, earthy scent of his reminded her of the outdoors, and she wished for more, was desperate for moreuntil she remembered what had happened to the last creatures of the night shed encountered and couldnt pretend anymore.
Theyd convulsed, their skin palingpalinguntil theyd become chalk white, resembling painted Halloween decorations. Bruises had formed under their eyes, their lips had chapped, and theyd screamed. And screamed and screamed and screamed, the pain too much to bear.
Mary Ann.
She must have stiffened. Her eyelids sprang apart, and she saw that Riley was frowning with concern. Concern. No, no, no. Did I hurt you? she asked in a rush. Had she drained him, even a little?
Im fine. You didnt hurt me.
The concern had been for her, then. She relaxed, but only slightly. Why did he have to be so wonderful? Youd tell me if I did?
Of course. Im not the suffer-in-silence type.
No, he wasnt. Something shed always loved about him.
How are you? he asked. Are youfeeding properly?
Not yet. Ive been living off my immense overindulgence, but the full feeling is fading, she admitted. Ill be hungry very soon.
Very soon isnt now. We have time.
Time together, he was saying. Time before she had to start worrying.
When would he learn? She always worried. Just finish the wards, she said on a sigh.
All right. But this conversation isnt over.
Yeah, it was, but she didnt comment, and a few hours later, she was the proud owner of six new wards.
Sexy, Tucker said, wiggling his brows at her.
Do you want me to pluck out your eyes? Riley snapped as he dismantled the equipment and stuffed it into a bag.
Fine. Tucker held up his hands, all innocence. She looks disgusting.
Disgusting? Thanks a lot, you traitor.
Tucker shrugged, unapologetic. We tried dating, we failed. Therefore I know not to put my eggs in your basket. If I do, theyll be met with a hammer.
Okay. Were eggs a metaphor for his balls? Because that was disgusting. Still, it had Riley nodding, genuinely happy for the first time all day.
Youre not putting your eggs in my basket, either, she informed him.
He, too, shrugged. Youll change your mind.
Justkeep your lips away from me! If he kissed her, shed cave, she always did. His mouth weakened her, and that was that.
He gave her a secret smile, one that promised hed be all over her when they were alone. And shed like it. She shivered. No being alone with the wolf!
I didnt say anything about kissing you. Did I?
Sick, just sick. Tucker pretended to gag. Stop flirting in front of the innocent bystander.
I doubt youve ever been innocent, she said dryly.
And dont you have somewhere to be? Riley demanded. Like with your pregnant girlfriend?
Penny. Mary Ann hadnt yet called her today and wondered if the girl was still hunched over a toilet, vomiting out her guts.
For the first time since Tucker had stepped in front of Mary Ann, begging her to let him help her so that he could make up for what hed done to Aden, claiming he only felt right when he was with her, that he could fight his darker urges as long as he kept her close, he appeared utterly defeated.
Penny will find happiness without me, he said without emotion.
Well, heryourbaby wont. Hell be part demon, and Pen needs help raising him.
His defeated pallor washed away with the flush of longing.
Did hecould he reallylove Penny and want the baby? Maybe some part of him did. But maybe he also knew being with them would destroy them in ways leaving them alone wouldnt. His dark nature might cause him to do things he would regret for the rest of his life.
Mary Ann knew the feeling. Being without Riley was killing her. She missed him a little more every dayeven missed him while he was beside herbut she would do anything, anything, to keep him safe.
So, are you done with Mary Ann? Tell me youre done. Because Im ready for my turn, Tucker said, rubbing his hands together a second time.
Riley snorted. Yeah. Right.
Hey, I dont want to be cursed, either. And as Im a valued member of this team.
Our definition of valued must differ.
Tucker popped his jaw. Just like our definition for shifter must differ. To you it probably means one who can change shapes. To me it just means asshole.
How about I ward you with permanent impotence? Riley withdrew the gun and shook it at him. How about that?
Unnecessarily cruel, wolf. Im hurt. Really. Tucker wiped pretend tears from his eyes. Those witches and fairies are hot, and if Im captured by one of them, I need to be in working order. You remember how I like to work, dont you, Mary Ann?
Oh, no. He wasnt dragging her into this. We never had sex, and you know it.
You were too busy nailing everyone else, Riley snarled at him.
Yeah, like your mom, Tucker said.
My mother is dead.
There was a beat of silence. Yeah, like your dad, Tucker said without an ounce of remorse.
Actually, Rileys dad was dead, too. No reason to mention that aloud, allowing Tucker to come up with someone else he could have nailed. You two are suchguys, she said, standing.
Hes a guy. Riley shrugged. For the most part.
Tuckers eyes narrowed. What are you saying? The rest of me is a girl?
Hey. Riley held up his hands, palms out, in a mimic of Tuckers earlier profession of innocence. Im not the one who admitted to nailing a dude.
That was a lie, Fido. An insult to your parents that youre clearly too dumb to get.
Can we go now? Mary Ann asked before they could fight. Again.
Yes, Riley said at the same time Tucker said, What ever.
Thankfully they traveled the fifteen miles to Dr. Daniel Smarts former residence without incident. She would have preferred to go alone, but hey. At five, shed wanted a pony. Shed learned to live with disappointment.
No one answered the door after a bout of hard knocking from Riley, followed by an equally hard bout of knocking from Tucker, as if even that was a competition, but their little group of dysfunction didnt leave. They sat on the porch swing, Mary Ann the meat in a testosterone sandwich, and waited.
Shed checked the county records, and Dr. Smarts wife still owned this place. So, Tonya Smart hadnt changed the name on the deed, which most likely meant she hadnt remarried.
Maybe shed rented it out, though. Maybe she wasnt here because she worked weekends. Maybe she would take one look at Mary Ann and tell her to get lost. She definitely wouldnt want to answer questions akin to, Was your husband a weirdo who could raise the dead? But Mary Ann was going to try.
The sun shone brightly, clouds floating by and obscuring the golden rays every few minutes. Mist formed in front of her face every time she breathed. As she unrolled her shirtsleeves for added warmth, she asked, Hows Aden? ashamed for not asking sooner. In her defense, he was the reason she was here.
Recovering, was all Riley said. No thanks to Tuck.
Can you just let it go? Tucker snapped. I said I was sorry.
Absolutely I can let it go. The day youre dead.
Mary Ann pinched the bridge of her nose, certain her head would explode by the end of the day. She had never wanted to become a referee, but thats what they had reduced her to. Next go-round, she was going to demand a paycheck!
After two hours of the back-and-forth insults, her headache was more of an enemy than the witches and the fairies, and she was very close to convincing herself Tonya Smart couldnt help her. Of course, thats when she heard the purr of a car motor, the crunch of tires coming up the drive.
Mary Ann hopped to her feet. Her butt had fallen asleep, and the abrupt movement awakened it with a vengeance.
Let me do the talking, she told the boys.
What are you going to say? Tucker asked.
Just watch and learn, demon, Riley said. Shell say the right thing, thats what.
Tucker pouted. You told him your plan, but didnt tell me?
No. He just trusts me. Now zip it. She hadnt told either one of them because she hadnt yet figured out what angle to pursue. But this was crunch time. She had to figure it out now.
Ms. Smart emerged from the vehicle. She was in her mid-fifties, with light brown hair, a trim form, her clothes neat and tidy. She was pretty in a motherly way, and at one time, shed probably been beautiful.
She carried a sack of groceries and smiled warmly as she approached. Mary Ann wished she could see her eyes, but they were hidden behind sunglasses.
Can I help you?
She was human, Mary Ann thought, surprised her mind now worked that way. Nowadays, the first time she met someone new, she immediately sized them up.
Her aura is black, Riley muttered, and he sounded confused.
What exactly did that mean? No time to ask. Yes, you can help me. My name is Mary Ann. Youre Tonya Smart, right?
Right, she replied, just a bit hesitant now.
Finally. A break. Im justwell, my mother died the same day as your husband. Was she really going there, right from the beginning? In the same hospital. Yep. She was. She gave birth to me, andthat was it. The end. How stupid did she sound?
Some of the warmth faded, wariness taking its place. Im sorry for your loss.
Thank you. Im sorry for yours, as well.
Ms. Smart nodded in acknowledgment, shifting the grocery sack to her other arm. Her gaze must have skidded over the boys, because the wariness became laced with fear. Why are you telling me this? Why are you here?
We wont hurt you, Mary Ann assured her. The boys can leave if they bother you. In fact, she said, glancing at them, go. Now.
Though Riley looked like he wanted to protest, he reached out, grabbed Tucker by the shirt collar and dragged him away. They didnt go far, stopping under a large oak in the front yard.
So which one are you dating? Ms. Smart asked.
Neither. The dark-haired one. Neither, she added.
Smart laughed, relaxing once more. Oh, to be young again.
Mary Ann found herself studying the boys. Riley, with his dark hair and rough, fighter face, resembled a devil. Tucker, with his pale hair and innocent features, resembled an angel. Yet, personality-wise, the opposite was true. Doesnt matter right now.
She returned her focus to the woman and cleared her throat. One of my friends was born that same day in the same hospital. St. Marys, she added, in case Ms. Smart thought she was lying. Proof was in the details, after all. Hes looking for his parents.
Confusion flittered across that aging face. And you think my Daniel could be his father?
No, nothing like that. Its just, my friendand mewecan dothings. Weird things. From the corner of her eye, she could see Riley fighting the urge to close the distance and sweep her away. She shouldnt be admitting this. To anyone. Especially not to a virtual stranger who might mention what shed said to the wrong people. People who could come after Mary Ann and Aden. There was no other way, however.
Besides, shed done her homework. Daniel Smart had to be Julian. The pieces just fit. I wondered if
What? Smart insisted.
I wondered if Mr. Smart could doweird things, too.
A heavy pause, then, Weird things. Like what?
She couldnt say it. She just couldnt.
Never mind, Smart said a split second later, her voice cold. I want you to leave. Dont come here again.
Please, Mrs. Smart. This is a matter of life and death.
The older woman pounded up the stairs and skidded around Mary Ann. At the mention of death, however, she paused at the door. Without facing Mary Ann, she whispered, Are you trying toraise someone?