Magical Midlife Meeting (Leveling Up #5)(63)

“Maybe the basajaun was right about those stars,” Ulric murmured.

“Whatever the reason, he’s a damn good addition to the pack.” Kace leaned back. “He’s fierce, experienced, and smart. He’s got great control.”

“Worried you’ll lose yer job?” Niamh gave him a wicked grin.

“I’m not worried about anything,” Kace answered seriously. He spread his arm over the back of his chair, and Mr. Tom wondered if that was because it was the only place not littered with Edgar’s failed attempts at craftwork. “Whatever is best for the pack.”

Goosebumps spread across Mr. Tom’s skin again as another pulse rolled through the suite, this one more powerful than the last. Ulric and Nathanial both shifted, as if to move to standing, then pushed out a simultaneous breath and leaned back.

“It probably makes it worse that we’re under a mountain,” Jasper said from the back.

“Amen.” Ulric ran his fingers through his hair. “Tomorrow is the battle, though. She should be able to let off some steam. Maybe it’ll also shift some of her focus off the mating dance.”

“The only problem is, Cyra torched everyone we were supposed to fight tomorrow,” Edgar said. “We can’t even drive sticks through them and prop them up to give the illusion they’re alive.”

The room paused and looked at Edgar. There was that endearing creepiness he did so well.

“Well.” Mr. Tom rose as a shock of hunger pierced him through the link. The miss was coming up for air and needed some sustenance. Time for an early dinner. “Either we will face the winner of today’s battle, or we will face an angry Elliot Graves. Either way, we’ll do battle, and we’ll be one step closer to our goal. Our time in this mountain is almost done.”





Twenty-Three





I emerged from the room in my muumuu and leaned against the wall before breathing a sigh.

“I feel good,” I said to the room at large.

“You look good.” Austin stopped beside me, taking a moment to slide his hand across my back and hook it around my hip. He pulled me nearer and kissed my temple before heading to the kitchen.

I smiled and breathed another sigh of utter relaxation.

Which was odd, because I had gotten virtually no sleep last night (having reveled in Austin), and the Chambers thing had gone down less than twenty-four hours ago. We’d gotten a note from Elliot himself this time, changing our opponent for today’s battle from Chambers to the winner of yesterday, since “a freak cave firestorm seems to have taken out Chambers and his crew—beware those strange phenomena. ”

Obviously that meant Elliot was just letting us off the hook. Which was disconcerting in itself—what was his motive? What else did he have planned for me?

And then there was the fact that Kingsley might be in trouble, and we’d obviously join him, heading to his aid.

But man, none of it was sticking in my mind. It was like everything that didn’t directly relate to Austin and mating was not important.

This bubble would pop very soon, I knew. But for this one last moment, I intended to savor it.

“How’s everyone?” I asked, smiling at Ulric as he walked by. He nodded, his eyes bloodshot and sporting dark bags. “Good?”

Jasper paced at the back of the room. He paused for a second, shivered, and continued pacing.

“Morning. Sleep well?” Kace stood to our left with a cup of coffee. He had on gray sweats and nothing else, but then again, I suspected he’d be losing the sweats before the battle.

“Not at all.” My smile burned brighter, and I took a cup of water from Mr. Tom. Smiling down at the contents, I said, “I hardly slept at all and it was wonderful. Mr. Tom, why do I have a glass of water in my hand and not a cup of coffee?”

“Battle is only an hour away. I thought you should hydrate.”

“Huh.” I drank the water and handed the cup back.

“I don’t trust this good mood,” Niamh said from the couch, squinting at me. “Is it the sex or the mating or what?”

“Yes, miss, listen to the Paddy,” Mr. Tom said, heading back to the kitchen area. “It’s wise to be cautious of happiness. You don’t want it to sneak up on you and take you unawares.”

“I don’t, that’s fer sure,” Niamh said. “And I especially don’t want some grinning fool sneaking up on me and doing God knows what.”

“Like telling a joke?” Ulric asked, running his hands down his face. “Or laughing? Making you less grumpy, perhaps?”

“Making you likable?” Mr. Tom asked.

“All of the above, yes,” Niamh said. “Never trust someone high on life. They aren’t in touch with reality.”

Ulric spat out a laugh.

Austin came back from the kitchen, stopping beside Broken Sue. The former alpha sat at the counter, his arms folded, staring at nothing. Austin bent and murmured something to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. Broken Sue blinked and leaned back, his eyes haunted. But he nodded, and when Austin walked away, he straightened up just a little bit more.

My heart swelled. Warm fuzzies tickled me. Purplish-pink magic shed from my skin before drifting into the air.

Austin glanced up, and his gaze stuck to me, his body going tight and fluid all at the same time. He started toward me with a killer’s grace.