Loved (House of Night Other World #1)(26)

“Uh, how about we redirect this energy into something positive—like trying to help me find the right protection spell. Later we’ll talk about making some moves.” I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. “Hey, are all of you homesick?”

Damien sighed. “I love New York. It’s true that it doesn’t sleep. That’s part of its charm and its neurosis.”

“That didn’t answer my question,” I said.

“I’m homesick,” Damien said.

“I’m loving NOLA,” Shaunee said. “But I’m not a Tulsa native like you guys. And I know this is shocking, but for a fire girl I’ve decided that I really like living close to the ocean.”

“So, your nonhomesickness doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that Erik Night happens to be filming in New Orleans?” Shaylin waggled her brows at Shaunee.

“Maybe a little.”

“You two are really a thing?” Aphrodite said. “Exclusively?”

“Apparently,” Shaunee said.

“Our boy Erik isn’t sampling all the young starlets on set?” Aphrodite pushed.

Shaunee pierced Aphrodite with her dark eyes. “Your boy Erik messed around. My Erik doesn’t. I’m not even sure why he doesn’t. I’ve given him his freedom. Told him no damn way am I gonna spend my energy worrying about whether or not he can keep his pants zipped. But he insists I’m who he wants. I don’t even think about it anymore. He comes home to me after shooting everyday. And, let’s just say his enthusiasm for coming home to me is obvious. Starlets? Apparently they can’t compete with a mixture of brown sugar and fire, baby.”

“Huh. Well, that’s a surprise,” Aphrodite said. “And you’re totally right about the brown sugar thing. White boys definitely need to broaden their dating horizons. I’m not as sure about the fire part, but it’s obviously working for you.” Then she added, “I’m happy for you two.”

Shaunee blinked in surprise, but she smiled at Aphrodite. “Thank you. I’m happy for me, too. And I’m perfectly content in NOLA.”

“What about you, Shaylin? How’s San Francisco treating you?” I asked.

“The weather’s weird. It’s cold in the summer and nice in the winter. But I’m getting used to it. And I really, really like the fog. Plus, there’s a big queer community. Nicole and I feel at home.”

“Good to know,” I said. “Damien, Stevie Rae, when we get this new mess figured out, how about you two stick around Tulsa for awhile. We’ll talk about making some changes.”

“I’d appreciate that,” Damien said.

“So would Rephaim and I. He doesn’t say much about being homesick, but I think that’s mostly ’cause I’ve been so miserable and he doesn’t want to heap any more shit on the turd truck.”

“If she comes back here can we do something about those bumpkin analogies?” Aphrodite asked.

“No!” Stevie Rae and I said together.

“Where is Rephaim? Sending up a prayer call to Kalona?” I asked.

“No, he’s takin’ Stark’s archery class. His daddy only visits him during the day while he’s in crow form. Rephaim said it’s something about the fact that his human consciousness, which is what Kalona communicates with since he’s not, well, a bird, rests during the day. Basically, that’s when the human part of Rephaim sleeps. So that’s also when Rephaim and his daddy visit. I think it’s real nice.”

“Can’t he speed up the conversation by going to sleep right now?” Aphrodite asked.

Stevie Rae opened her mouth to answer Aphrodite, but I spoke up first. “I don’t think there’s any reason to send up some frantic emergency call to Kalona. I mean, he said he appeared to me in Capri because he thought I’d like it. That’s probably all there is to it. No need to make a big deal over it.”

Aphrodite shrugged. “Yeah, well, it’s not like Nyx isn’t on top of whatever-the-hell’s going on. She double-teamed it by sending Kramisha a poem and me a vision.”

“And now it’s time we did our part,” said a voice from over by the media center door. I spun around, happiness filling me, as my friends and I all shouted her name together.

“Grandma Redbird!”

With steps that were light and filled with energy that belied her age, my grandma hurried to me, pulling me into her arms.

“Grandma! I thought you were in Maui!”

“Oh, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya, did you really think I would miss your birthday? And not just any birthday, but a rite of passage?” She cupped my face between her soft, warm hands and kissed me on the forehead. “Maui can wait. You only turn eighteen once.”

“I’m so glad you’re here!” I said.

“So am I! And when can I get my hug?” Stevie Rae said, practically dancing on her toes.

“Come here, sweet girl, and give Grandma a hug.” She opened her arms.

“Me too!” Damien said.

“And me!” Shaunee pushed back her chair and hurried to Grandma.

“I want in on this,” Shaylin said.

“Oh, for shit’s sake. Me too,” Aphrodite said.

Grandma’s laughter was joyous and pure. “All of you, then. Group hug!”