Gypsy Moon (All The Pretty Monsters #4)(17)

“So you could watch the fight.”

“Vance was focused. It’s been ages since he focused. Thing of beauty while it happens,” he says as if that’s important information.

I gesture between us. “That’s sort of the problem. I feel like the conduit for your feelings for them because you have heterosexual body parts with a homosexual mentality. I’m not sure I’m okay with simply being a conduit,” I carefully explain, causing his eyes to widen a little more, as several muffled sounds of amusement spring from somewhere else in the room.

“I’m sorry, love, but you’ve really lost me,” Arion says very seriously, brow crinkling.

“You want this to be a thing between you and me, even though Idun is returning, because you want them back. It looks like you’re getting that without me, so we can be friends,” I suggest, completely rambling.

I don’t think I’m explaining this very well, since they’re all muffling laughter down the hall. Even Vance makes a choked sound of amusement.

Or they’re just really immature about these things…

That’s definitely possible.

Arion scrubs a hand over his face, as someone struggles to cover a surprise laugh with a cough.

“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be having this conversation right now. It’s inappropriate to do with an audience,” I babble. “But you’re really intense. And I’ve just survived an apocalyptic wolf storm with your mostly naked beta, whose threads are still in my bra because one set of clothes ended up being enough.”

The look of frustrated confusion on his face doubles.

“I could use a small break before we discuss curses, some really confusing relationship statuses, and the somewhat terrifying woman you’ve all loved rising very soon. And those wolves stole my oranges, so I need to go back and get all of them.”

“I’ve already returned them to your cellar,” Emit says from somewhere behind Arion.

“Then I need to go start using them while they’re useable,” I say as I quickly disentangle myself from Arion and attempt to escape. “I’ll return the shirt.”

“Keep it,” he says quietly from behind me, as I finally take in the other three all standing somewhat close together, smirking at me.

“I’ll drive you home,” Damien says with a slow grin.

“I’m not talking to you, and if you’re a smart man, you’ll figure out why,” I state firmly. “Only when you figure it out will we discuss it.”

“I’ll take you—”

“I don’t want to talk to you right now, because I need to get my cool back,” I tell Emit, whose eyes immediately flick away, as his jaw tics.

He’s had multiple opportunities to explain to me why he told Damien I was a monster, and yet didn’t even bother telling me what I was. All this time, I’ve been patiently waiting, refusing to get too angry.

Now…I’m getting sort of freaking angry, because he still hasn’t said one word about it.

“Guess that just leaves me,” Vance says as he puts his hand at the small of my back and starts guiding me out.

I wait until we’re just outside his room, before I have another one of those really weak moments. Seems like they only happen with Vance.

Fortunately, I manage to hold the embarrassing tears at bay as I turn to face him.

“Or I could stay here and actually sleep like I’ve apparently been sleeping next to you. I don’t want the omegas home alone, though, after—”

“They’re currently downstairs, taking up my largest room, because they didn’t know how long you’d be out and wanted to be close. Unfortunately, they found a stash of your gypsy spice and will likely be here for the next twenty-four hours.”

“I told them not to do the ones I made up for you guys after I realized you’re sort of not human,” I say on a weary sigh, causing his lips to struggle with that firm line he usually keeps in place.

“You can take a shower in the room at the end of the hall, while I get rid of the alphas. It’s possibly nicer than my own personal shower.”

Unsure how to be right now, since this feels sort of awkward, I think I curtsy.

Pretty sure that’s why his eyebrows bounce up.

Life would be easier if I knew how to be cool.

“I’m weird. I’d apologize, but I’m really too tired,” I say as I turn around, barely glimpsing his spreading smile, as I quickly walk away and roll my eyes at my own damn self.

I’ll blame it on the exhaustion and blood loss.





CHAPTER 5





EMIT


“You shared her with Vance on the night she broke your curse,” Arion is snapping to Damien.

“How convenient is it that Vance shows off tonight and suddenly she’s staying here with him?” Damien sulks as he moves away from the door, allowing Vance to shove in.

“Are you implying that she’s drawn to our more killing natures?” Arion asks with far too much intrigue and hope in his eyes.

“She just gave you the ‘let’s be friends’ brush-off, so I’d say it’s highly unlikely that’s the case,” Damien dutifully points out.

My knuckles pop against my fist, as I absently take it all in, not speaking and not really caring what is going on in this moment. Silently stewing, I sit in the chair by the fireplace.