Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3)(45)

“And how was your first night of college?” he asked in a low voice, a partial lascivious grin showing.

“Successful, sir.” I gripped my coffee to keep from shaking. “And you?”

His grin grew. “One for the memory book. I’d stay another night if I didn’t have business to attend to. I’m almost jealous of you.” He laughed at the ridiculousness of his statement and glanced around at the myriad of eyes locked on him. I swear, the room seemed to sway with all the swooning and red auras popping up. The spirits dipped and glided among the people.

“It’s a great place,” I said lamely.

He looked back at me, disappointment flashing across his face as he remembered with whom he’d been conversing. He pushed past me to the counter and I stood aside. But once he had his giant coffee in hand, he left the shop without looking my way again. From my view I watched him making eyes at every girl along the way, and even a couple guys. Then they all turned to look at me. I exited quickly through the side door and went around the corner, watching as Pharzuph caught a cab, his procession of dark spirits flanking the vehicle as it drove him away.

Thank God.

I made the long walk to my car and sat inside, sipping my coffee and feeling oddly safe and content. In a few hours my six Neph allies would be making their way to town for one night. It could be our last chance to see one another before it was time to fulfill the prophecy. With the Dukes convening that night, our time was short. We’d have to act soon.

I wanted today to be special.

I smiled to myself and started the car. I knew what we were doing tonight.

Patti had no idea I was coming. When I got to her address, I almost rolled my eyes. Of course Dad couldn’t have picked out a low-key home. He’d put her up in a huge house on a golf course. It was seriously the only new neighborhood around, and it was smack in the middle of farm country. As I pulled into her driveway, I sent a text.

Don’t freak. It’s just me.

I knocked on the door and she swung it open, pulled me inside inside the house, shut the door, and proceeded to squeeze the air out of me. I hugged her back just as hard.

“Anna!” I heard Jay say, coming up behind us.

Patti released me and pulled Jay in until we were having a group hug. She repeatedly kissed my cheek before letting us go.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” she said. “You’re sure it’s safe, though?”

“Positive. All the Dukes are flying to Switzerland right now, so the Neph are coming here.”

“All of them?” Jay’s eyes got big. I guess Marna hadn’t had a chance to tell him yet.

“Yep,” I said. “All of the allies.”

He jumped up and punched the air.

I felt euphoric. “Come on, I have groceries.”

They followed me out, and the three of us loaded our arms with bags.

“A turkey?” Patti asked. “Oh, honey, I like the sound of this.”

I thought she might. I’d gotten all of the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal.

We took everything into the kitchen and I looked around at the stainless steel appliances and stone-tiled backsplash.

“Wow, this house is . . .”

“Overboard?” Patti asked. “Ridiculously huge and fancy? Yes. Your father is a nutcase.” But she was smiling as she unpacked the pies.

“Yams,” Jay said. “Nice.” He was a bit more subdued than normal, but it was understandable, given what he was up against.

“So,” I asked the two of them, “do you want the big news first, or should I tell you everything that’s happened in order?”

“In order,” Jay said.

Patti’s eyebrows came together with impatience and she eyed Jay before saying, “Oh, all right then, in order. But make it fast!”

Marna hadn’t been able to talk to Jay at all yet, so they had no idea about what had happened since Ginger went missing. We made our way into the cushy family room. They were rapt as I talked.

“And then this huge spirit showed up,” I said, making Patti gasp and her eyes widen as I described its ramlike appearance. “And you’ll never believe who it was.” They stared at me, on edge. “Dad!”

Patti paled. “Your dad . . . he doesn’t have a . . . he’s . . . ?”

“He had to shed his body,” I said quietly.

“Dude,” Jay said. “He’s scary with a body. I can’t imagine him as a spirit.”

“Yeah. It’s so weird. He’s looking for a new body now,” I said.

Patti closed her eyes and covered her mouth. When she took a deep breath and nodded, I forged ahead.

“We knew Pharzuph was searching for me, so Dad came up with the idea that me and Kaidan—”

Patti squealed, jumping to her feet. “You’re married! Aren’t you?”

Jay’s shocked face swung back and forth between the two of us. “Nuh-uh! Are you?”

I felt so emotional about my news that I could only nod.

Patti screamed, pulling me to my feet for another bear hug. Her excitement should have felt strange, given the reason why Kaidan and I had decided to marry, but I knew Patti wasn’t focused on that. She was focused on the love we shared, and the fact that we were able to share this life experience, despite our circumstances.