Magical Midlife Madness (Leveling Up #1)(70)

Niamh listened quietly to Earl’s account of how he had muddled up the situation. A gargoyle, even an old one, should’ve been able to take that wraith. He should’ve been able to secure that house with the magic on his side. His fearful attempt to run didn’t make sense.

“Ivy House didn’t use any defensive measures to cast them out?” Edgar asked, his brow crumpled in confusion.

“No,” Earl replied. “Nothing I’m aware of. I couldn’t feel the wraith at all. Not in the normal sense. I only felt the magic when it came into the room. And it came fast. Faster than it should’ve been able to. It had some powerful magic behind it.”

“How’d it get into the house at all?” Niamh asked, scratching her head. “Ivy House should be protected against creatures like that. Naturally protected. Are we sure the magic is still in place?”

“It’s in place,” Austin Steele said. “A door slammed in my face. The magic is connected to Jess. She looked scared, and the door slammed. Later on, she wanted me to help her test the passageway viewing area. I felt no issue from the house at all. It let me into its walls without a problem.”

Earl nodded with a grim face at Niamh and Edgar’s shock. Those passageways were like the veins of the house. They ran all over, and only through them could one get to the heart. Only those accepted by the house were allowed into that area.

“Jessie accepts you, and the house is reacting, it must be,” Earl said.

Niamh held her tongue. They needed the help of Austin Steele. Too many intruders had poured out of the woods for Niamh to battle, even with Edgar’s help. Even with Earl’s. She hated to admit it, but she got winded too fast these days. She had lost her vicious edge. They needed the might that was Austin Steele.

The problem was, if he learned that protecting Jessie would tie him to the house, he might back off. It was likely the last thing he wanted. He’d made this magical town what it was, but his decision not to step up as official alpha gave him an out. It gave him a hall pass. Niamh didn’t think he’d like that status changed.

“So why didn’t the house react when those creatures got inside?” Niamh wondered, wishing she had her rocking chair. Old bones didn’t like standing around too long.

“Putting Jess in danger to force her to make a choice?” Austin Steele asked, glancing at the lake.

Niamh sucked her teeth in thought.

“Would you stop doing that? It is absolutely disgusting,” Earl said with a downturned mouth. “Have a little pride in yourself.”

“Pride in meself? You’re always on’ta me about wearing a bra—you oughta be putting those sad sacks in a sling or they’ll trail along the ground as you’re flying.” She pointed between his legs.

Austin Steele’s warning gaze cut into her. She clenched her jaw in frustrated silence. She hated being dominated. She hated that he could do it so damn easily.

“What’s the plan?” Edgar asked, his teeth finally retracting.

“Elliot Graves wasn’t there,” Niamh said, lowering her voice in case the trees had ears. “He sent one of his black-collared soldiers to lead.”

“What’s his play?” Austin Steele asked.

“Those creatures in that house were either there to capture her or harm her,” Earl said.

“Whatever their plan, it’s not safe for Jessie to go back if the house doesn’t do its part,” Edgar said.

“Agreed,” Austin Steele said, his gaze veering to Jessie again. “She said she needs to figure out if she wants to stay or go. I think our next steps hinge on her decision.” He paused for a moment, watching her watch the water ripple against the bank. “One thing she mentioned—she ran when the shadow wraith blasted its voice. Is that right, Earl?”

In surprise, Niamh watched Earl’s face. His eyes turned distant in thought.

“She must’ve,” he said. “I managed to close the door, but after that, she was in the lead. Yes, she must’ve pulled me along. I don’t like to admit it, but its magic had me frozen.”

“That’s…” Edgar clearly struggled for words.

“That’s courage of steel,” Austin Steele said, probably not intending it as any sort of pun or connection. Missed opportunity, that. “She was scared, but she didn’t shut down. The house chose well. Now we just need to see what Jess chooses. Our fate lies in her hands.”





Twenty-Six





A light jacket dropped down over my shoulders, immediately allaying some of the chill. The sun was just starting to lighten the sky, shooting out streaks of pinks and oranges in bursts.

Austin crouched down beside my chair, looking out over the tranquil lake. Shadowy forms of trees and brush were painted across the glassy surface.

“Some week, huh?” he said, his voice not much more than a hum in the hush.

“I’ll say. Welcome to paradise, here’s a nightmare scenario. Good luck!” I tightened the jacket around me, smelling soap and the spicy sweetness of Austin. “It’s beautiful here.”

He nodded, sweeping his gaze to the left. “It is, yes.”

“This is your cabin?”

“Yes. It’s secret. Don’t tell anyone.”

“Sharing your secret headquarters with Mr. Tom, huh? I knew you guys were besties.”