“Sillier,” he said, a grin tugging at his lips. He shrugged. “Something to think about.”

“I mean…” I dragged my teeth across my lip, still trying desperately to play it cool, but nearly bursting with love. I shrugged one shoulder. “If you don’t need two houses to fit all your egos, then you’re right—sharing a place wouldn’t be much different than what we’re doing now. I’d be in for that, as long as I get to keep mine so I can sell it when I break up with you next time.”

“It’s cute that you think I’d somehow not follow you around like a creep. I mean, how did we meet?”

“You followed me around like a stalker creep.”

“Right. So…”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “For the record, I do still feel like I’m weighing you down. It isn’t sitting right with me.”

He rubbed his hands along my upper arms. “You’ve been thrown into the deep end of this magical world. I appreciate that you want to do what’s best for me. I’m hoping someday soon that you’ll realize you are what’s best for me. If you ever decide you need to leave San Francisco, we’ll go together. I will not lose you over a job—let’s get that clear.”

I widened my eyes, not having expected that. The scenario hadn’t even crossed my mind.

He smiled. “I win. So, about moving in together…”

Blood rushed to my cheeks and other, more delicate parts. “What about Daisy? We can’t go very deep into the magical world with her.”

“She’s got that magical fake ID, she’s the ward of a dreaded Soul Stealer, personally protected by the resident Demigod of San Francisco, and a little nightmare that no one would, in their right mind, cross. She’ll be just fine.”

“Resident Demigod?”

His smile slipped a little. “I rule, but in order to be recognized by the magical political forces, I need to be officially put on the books. That happens at the next summit. It is rarely contested, but…”

There was so much I didn’t know. I’d need to really hit the books if I was going to help him. Because I was tired of being dead weight. Starting tomorrow, I would pull up my britches and get to work. Right after breakfast. Or maybe after brunch.

The little bleep of a soul meandered closer, and I looked that way to see what might slip out of the trees and brush. Kieran’s body tightened. “What is it?”

“Just a…” I squinted in the darkness before layering the world with spirit so I could see better. “Behold, it is a pale horse, and he who sits on it has the name Death, and Hades is following with him.”

“What?” Kieran grabbed my arm.

The little creature’s tail flicked as it slinked closer. It let out a loud meow.

“It’s a cat,” I said, laughing.

Wariness swirled within him. He didn’t release his hold. “A shifter, or just a plain cat?”

“A plain one,” I said, frowning up at him. “Shifters maintain their human souls after they shift. Are you okay? You seem really jumpy. I’ll know it if one of the spirit monsters from last night rolls through. Probably.”

He shook his head and pushed open the door. “It’s nothing. Let’s get something to eat, and then you can thank me for that necklace in creative ways.”

9

Alexis

Kieran wasn’t the only one feeling a little jumpy. I read it on Boman and Henry’s faces. I noticed it in the absent way Donovan randomly used his magic to lift and lower things, as though testing to make sure he could. Thane would barely stay seated, preferring to stand near doors or hover near windows, and Jack burned dinner. The only one who was utterly calm and cool was Zorn, and that was probably the scariest of all.

They’d all be staying close tonight. I didn’t know what they thought they could do against a Demigod wandering the streets in spirit form, but I knew I’d feel more comfortable getting some shuteye with them on hand.

I finished touching up my light dusting of makeup and fussing with my hair in the bathroom. I wore the absolutely gorgeous necklace Kieran had gotten me, feeling the weight of it as it hung between my bare breasts. I loved the symbolism of our entwined magics. Our entwined souls.

He waited at the window, his hands in his pockets, looking out at the blackness that blanketed the horizon. I took a moment to marvel at his broad, muscled back, cinching down into trim hips. His raven hair was long on top and short on the sides, a little messy from the way he’d been running his hands through it all evening.

Of course Nancy wanted him. All women wanted him. He was as handsome as he was debonair. As charming as he was big-hearted. He was a knight in shining armor who was confident enough in his masculinity to love a strong woman who could desecrate a battlefield. He was my dream come true, and here he stood, in a house he had selflessly bought for me.

He was too good for words. Much too good.

“Hey,” I said softly.

He looked back, turning as he did so. When his eyes hit mine, he froze. They dropped, sinking down to the necklace adorning my nude body. Then lower, taking in the rest of me. Hunger raged in those stormy blue eyes. Desire. The effect boiled my blood.

“You are so fucking beautiful, Alexis,” he whispered, facing me. His large bulge stood out in his pants. “There are no words.”