Page 5

Oh shit.Just picturing everybody here gathered around singing to me, then watching me blow out the candles on my cake in the form of a public spectacle, had my insides twisting.

I did better in the shadows.

Deep in the fucking shadows.

Thankfully, his insane intuition couldn’t pick up on that.

None of my family could.

I’d made sure of it, casting a spell to hide my true anxieties about this whole thing, so I didn’t ruin it for them, knowing they wanted this for me, this celebration, to mark the occasion. Knowing that they’d been waiting on it for years, to celebrate this monumental milestone with their only child.

“I need some fresh air first. Then, I guess, the cake would be a good way to go. Maybe we can do the presents after everyone’s gone. I’ll send thank-you letters.”

He frowned and reached out, stroking my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Are you good?”

“Fine, yeah,” I said, flashing a winning smile. “It’s just stifling in here with so many people packed inside our home.”

I wasn’t the best pretender or liar, and that was a well-known fact among my family. Apparently, it was something to do with my angel heritage.

Fortunately, the universe actually had my back for once, when a wild surge of energy had gasps erupting, people stilling, a moment before Pops teleported into the fray in a flash of shimmering green light.

Actual applause rang out, throngs of people gathering around at his presence. Ryker Morgan was the most popular being in the supernatural world. He had been before he’d even taken on his current role as Head of the Guardian Movement. But his two-decade tenure had only increased that with the way he’d united all factions and actually worked for the will and good of us all. It was a far cry from when Grandfather hadrun it. It had been more of an elitist organization, verging on a dictatorship-style governance before he’d realized the need for a change and handed the role over to Pops.

I felt a wave of relaxation roll over the guests now that he was present.

As much as I was grateful for that change in the atmosphere, I hated what was at the root of it.

He possessed a very special and completely unique brand of magic.Defensivemagic. He was able to diffuse any magic-wielder’s power with it. Even mine. Basically, he was the only person on this plane who could stop me if I lost control—something that had actually been put to the test a few times over the years. And right now, that knowledge was putting all of the guests at ease. The fact that they were so afraid that they needed that reassurance made me sick to my stomach.

Through the excitable chaos surrounding him, he looked out at us, gave Dad a chin lift, then winked at me in that sweet way of his.

I smiled back, then heard Dad growling low in his throat as a couple of Pops’ admirers stroked his arm and touched him.

That reaction was Dad’s wolf nature shining through. He was very possessive and protective of Pops, just like he was with Mom and Papa.

I saw Pops smirk at his reaction, getting a kick out of it.

That only made my dad’s growl deepen.

I rolled my eyes at him. “Pull it back, Dad. Your eyes are already partially glowing with the sign of a shift. You know Pops is just playing with you in his usual teasing way.”

He drew in a calming, centering breath. “Sorry, Ari.”

“No worries. But are you gonna be okay if I leave you to step outside for that fresh air?”

“I’ll be fine. Absolutely.” He planted a soft kiss on the top of my head. “It’s your party. Do what you want to. It’s all your call.”

I smiled up at him, kissed his cheek, then meandered through the crowds.

It took me a good few moments to actually make it through the foyer and out through the arched oak entrance doors.

I hurried down the steps and made a beeline for the side of the house.

The cool night air whispered over my skin and I breathed in the invigorating sensation as I walked deeper through the grounds.

I was heading for the little rounded gazebo nestled amongst the concealment of some trees. Just out of the way of everyone.

The way I liked it.