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But aside from the good things, Jay has the sinking feeling that whatever happened with Grayson is not the last they’ve seen of it. Jay feels a twinge of self-doubt as he drives out the gate.

Magic.

What does he know about magic users? Abso-fucking-lutely nothing.

Jay hates a steep learning curve, especially when it involves protecting his family.

What if Carnell has some superhuman kid who can wield Grayson’s soul like a weapon?

Yeah. That’s exactly what it sounded like to him. And that’s a problem.

How were they supposed to combat that if Nix felt it in their bond and itdrained him, too? Jay needed answers, and he needed them now.

The drive isn’t one Jay can make with his mind elsewhere. The narrow laneway gives way to larger roads on the ride back to civilization. Gideon drops into the navigator spot, map in hand.

“Everyone settled back there?”

“Yes, dear. Everyone had too much cotton candy and excitement for one day.” Gideon hands him a bottle of water, utterly unbothered. “We’ll need to stop soon and feed them. Nix has burned through Rowan’s food stores, and besides, it’s almost lunch.”

Lunch already?Jay had no idea how far behind them Carnell was in deploying his men, if what Grayson said was true. Or how accurate a read his spy could even get on their location.

Either way, they were taking the long way around to their next safe house inside Clearwater proper. No sense making it easy for anyone to catch up.

Jay exhaled, fingers tapping against the wheel. “Sounds good. Where are we headed?”

“Place in Island Estates? Or Northwood? Lauren said to take our pick. She figured we’d go more unnoticed in Northwood—we don’t exactly scream bougie. We’ll need to dump the truck and switch back to two cars again, too.”

Northwood?That was the Renas’ old stomping ground. Jay caught Leo’s smile in the rearview mirror.

“Think you can find us a place to rent cars near Northwood, Leo? Then text your mom—she’ll set it up.”

There’s a whisper of air, and the entirely naked Nix is sitting in Gideon’s lap. “Did you say Northwood, Jamie? Really?”

“Yes. Do you think that would be okay? Gideon says we’ll be less conspicuous, and I can’t help but agree.”

“Yes, please! I am excited to see some of our places again. I wish Carnell were gone already; he’s ruining my good mood.”

Jay’s, too—and for more reasons than ruining their return home. “Mine too, Baby Boy. We’ll make time to see some places.”

“Good. Thank you,Big Daddy,” Nix giggles, and Gideon manages a singlesmack to his sweet butt before he leaves them to the drive.

“Excuse me?” That’s new. Luca had used it in the nest earlier, but not in the way he normally would.

The name was going to cross some wires in his head, for sure.

Laughing, Gideon pats his shoulder like he can read his mind. “You better get that worked out before July, Jaybird.”

“No fucking kidding.”

An hour into the drive, Gideon spots a small family restaurant, and Jay parks under a cluster of trees behind the building, safely out of sight from the road. Finn and Gideon head inside to order takeout while the rest of them stay put—Rowan and Grayson are still asleep, and the others are either pregnant or famous. The last thing they need is aLong Road Homesighting blowing up on socials and putting Carnell on their trail before they’re ready.

Whatever “ready” means, though, Jay is less and less sure as the days pass.

“Jaybird?” Leo slides into the seat beside him and offers the iPad with a secure, incognito browser. “Here are two separate car rental spots. Mom says it’s best not to be memorable, so two spots make sense.”

“You okay with your mom, now?” Jay asks, running a hand through Leo’s fluffy black curls.

“We have to talk when this is all over, but I’m not mad, just hurt. I can’t do anything about it here, so I’m not going to let it interfere for now, know what I mean?”