Chapter 43: Breaking All the Rules

The cellar was dark. Stale air smelled of smoke and cinnamon whiskey. As my feet rose and fell, carrying me down the creaking stairs cautiously, I scanned the room. Enhanced sight was a wonderful thing. Now, if only I had a camera.

The twins spooned in a corner. Dax, Jacoby, and Matteo were tangled in such a mess of arms and legs, I couldn’t tell where one ended and another began. Wulf sat against a wall, with his legs wrapped tightly around Anthony’s large body, as if they’d fallen asleep while wrestling. The only one I wouldn’t be willing to blackmail with fun little photos of that evening was Zane.

The ritual table had been turned on its side. Z rested with his back against it. Trish lay on the floor beside him, using his thick thigh as a pillow. One of his arms draped over her midsection, while the hand of his other pressed against her head as if he’d been stroking her hair. It may have been the most endearing thing I’d ever seen. Cute as it was, I couldn’t have it.