Untouchable Darkness (The Dark Ones Saga, #2)(15)

“Uh…?” Alex raised his hand. “Why is Cassius bird watching?”

“He’s watching because he wants to eat it,” I explained.

Mason placed a salad in front of Cassius.

You’d think he’d just asked Cassius to tend to the garden and eat raw tomatoes. “What’s this?”

“Salad.” I scooted the dressing toward him.

“It’s green.”

“Hey, at least you’ve got your eyesight,” Ethan remarked.

“But the bird?” Cassius pointed behind him, “Why aren’t we eating meat?”

Mason looked heavenward. “I must have done something seriously awful to be cursed with a Dark One who suddenly wants food. He’ll eat everything!”

“He’s starving!” I pointed at Cassius. “Come on, fix him something good Mason. Salads are for girls.”

Genesis laughed and reached across the table to grab Cassius’s plate, but he was busy poking the tomato with a fork or trying to.

“It’s like watching a baby learn how to walk. Come on Cassius, you can do it!” Alex clapped behind him.

And earned a fork in the thigh.

“Shit!” Alex collapsed to the ground. “What the hell, I thought you weren’t a Dark One anymore.”

“So, I’ve lost my aim?” Cassius snorted. “Hardly. And next time you make fun of me I’m grabbing a knife.”

“Ethan has a gun case, the code is 1492.” Mason said in a cheerful voice.

Alex glared. “Thanks, Mason. Real helpful.”

“Please, it wouldn’t kill you.”

“It damn well wouldn’t tickle either, you bastard!” Alex shouted.

“Guys!” I held up my hands. “Do I need to order take-out, or do we have enough meat to feed…” I pointed to Cassius. “…this?”

“Not even a person anymore.” Alex cackled behind him. “How’s it feel?”

“About as good as a bullet between the eyes, Alex, care to experience it?”

Alex jerked the fork out of his thigh and tossed it in the sink. “Wash the blood off why don’t you, Mason?”

“I can’t concentrate with all the yelling.” Mason reached for his cell. “I say we go out to eat.”

“Yes!” Genesis stood. “We haven’t done a date night in weeks!”

Ethan reached for her hand and kissed it.

“Date night?” Cassius frowned. “A night with dates?”

I leaned forward and rested my forehead on the table. “It’s romantic.”

“Date night,” he repeated again.

I stood. “Whatever, let’s go somewhere close because Cassius is about five minutes away from molesting that bird.”

“I would never!” Cassius stood, outrage pouring over his face.

“Sarcasm.” Alex slapped him on the back. “You should try it, Dark One.”

Cassius jerked away from Alex. “I know what it is.”

“Clearly.” Alex nodded in mock understanding.

“The Lodge.” Mason grabbed his keys. “They always make room for us. Let’s go, kids… before Dad eats the family pet.”

“The bird is your pet?” Cassius looked horrified.

Alex sighed and whispered again, “Sarcasm.”

Cassius shoved past him then stopped in his tracks and turned. “Stephanie, will we be riding together?”

His eyes were hopeful.

What game was he playing?

He held out his hand.

I took it, still frowning.

“Uh, sure. We’ll drive separate since we can’t all fit in Ethan’s car.”

“They’re all my cars,” Ethan said under his breath then sped past us with Genesis in tow.

I nodded toward the garage. Cassius followed, our hands still linked.

“Well, which one of Ethan’s toys do you want to take?” The lights flickered on as Ethan and the rest of the crew piled into his white Mercedes.

“That.” Cassius pointed at the red Hummer.

I sighed. “Of course. Big bad Dark One wants a big bad car.”

“It’s tall. I’m tall…” He shrugged, his smile flirtatious.

My heart skipped in my chest. “Fine, but you do realize we’re in Seattle, right? People are going to flip you off for just driving something that gets only eight miles per gallon.”

“Does it matter?” He was giddy. “When we can run them over anyway?”

“Good point.”

“I’d like to think so.”

“I’ll grab the keys.” I still hadn’t moved.

His eyes were penetrating as he held my gaze. “All right.”

“Keys,” I repeated.

“To drive the monstrosity.”

Slowly, I shook my head as I left his side and grabbed the keys then met him back at the car. He was already inside, strapped in and looking about as pumped as a ten-year-old at a carnival.

“Fast,” he commanded, and then cleared his throat. “I mean… please?”

I smiled and started the car. “Only because you said please.”

His eyes met mine. “I’ll have to remember that for future reference. Say please, and… she says yes.”