Wild and Free (The Three #3)(131)

This again got him her eyes. “Are you okay with all costs?”

He didn’t understand the question.

“What?”

She turned fully to him and rested her hands on his abs. “You took lives, honey.”

Now he got her. More than got her.

She was reflective and looking out the window because the bodies of men who likely multiple someones had loved were being reduced to ash. She was also reflective and looking out the window because she was worried about his state of mind.

“I’m good,” he assured her.

She wasn’t assured and he knew this when she tipped her head to the side and asked, “You sure?”

He slid his hand to the back of her neck, pulled her closer, and bent to her.

“I’m sure,” he said, soft and firm. “And you’re going to be good too, seein’ as Moose returned, he’s fine, and he’s waiting in living room three for you.”

Her eyes lit in a way he liked at the news Moose was back and they started dancing in a way he liked even more at his comment about living room three.

“Which one is that, then?” she asked.

“I’ll take you there,” he offered.

“Awesome,” she said softly, and he used his hand at her neck to pull her around until she was at his side. Then he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and started guiding her to the door. “We should officially number them so there’s no confusion, you know, seeing as it seems we’re gonna be here awhile,” she went on as she slid her arm along his waist.

“We’ll do that after you welcome home Moose and I get your dad and Jabber so they can do the same.”

She looked up at him and said, “Right on.”

Even as they walked out the door, he bent and touched his mouth to hers.

Her arm curled around his waist gave him a squeeze and her eyes gave him a smile when he lifted his head.

Then he took her to her friend and found her father and Jabber and took them to Moose too.

It ended up being after training when they officially numbered the living rooms.

There were twelve.

*

Yuri

Yuri was annoyed, and thus, he didn’t speak.

“Yuri?” his father on the other end of the phone called. “Did you hear me? I want you to report in the minute you secure the implements.”

But Gregor didn’t want Yuri to report in the minute the implements were secured. He simply wanted him to report in.

“I’m not one hundred anymore, Father,” he replied drily.

“I’m aware of that,” his father returned even more drily.

“I’ve got a coven of thirteen witches who Aurora has shared are quite powerful at my back,” Yuri reminded him of something he’d told him but moments before. “However, as per their plan, which they’re quite adamant I follow, they are the ones who are in the most danger.”

And this was true, as Barb had told him, and he believed her.

Which meant Yuri was concerned.

He might not be Barb’s favorite being, but he had to admit, he held some regard for her if only for the fact she adored her daughter.

Though, it was more.

She might not like him, but he couldn’t help but have some affinity for her, considering she was not only Aurora’s mother, she was also taking her life in her hands to assist with this mission. Not to mention the fact she could be quite amusing when she wasn’t being irritating.

But the truth of the matter was, Yuri was mostly concerned about Aurora.

He’d learned she was only twenty-seven years old. She was brave. She had what she referred to as “juice,” something he’d witnessed repeatedly, and she was far from stupid. However, if something happened, this would affect Yuri’s future plans of f*cking her, which he was very much looking forward to.

But it wasn’t only that.

If something happened, it would mean a world without the witch Aurora living in it, and Yuri didn’t like the thought of that at all.

It was Gregor’s turn to be silent.

“It’ll all be fine,” Yuri told him.

“After this is over, I’d like to meet this Aurora,” Gregor stated, and Yuri sighed.

It was rare when he envied humans. However, this was a time when he did.

His father had had centuries to get to know him and could likely correctly predict any move Yuri made before he made it. More, Gregor could read into subtleties no human parent had enough time or experience to read.

This meant that Yuri had not shared Aurora’s pull on him, but his father had read it.

“There’s a great deal to do before such a meeting can occur, not only securing the implements, but also in locating Abel’s brother,” Yuri reminded him.

“Of course,” Gregor muttered just as a knock came at the door.

Yuri moved that way, speaking. “I’m to leave shortly to meet the coven. I should let you go.”

“Fine, Yuri. I’ll expect a call in a few hours,” his father replied.

Yuri didn’t reply this time because he smelled her before he made it to the door. He looked through the peephole, regardless, and saw her standing outside, her head turned, eyes aimed down the corridor, her mass of dark hair arranged in soft plaits leading to a loose bun at her nape.

She looked as if she was prepared to go on a date, not approach a volatile coven in a battle of magic that might have dire consequences.