Page 54

“Go on,” Cian urged.

“I think I can create a magical grid that will allow us to know when supernaturals enter the city. Like an early warning system.”

“Awesome idea, babe!” Cassandra flashed a prideful look at her girlfriend.

“It may take a little bit of work, but once I’m done with the wards, I’m sure I can come up with something really effective.”

Benchley loudly cleared his throat. “Okay, you supes are all in the same spot, but Alexia and I are not so safe, right? The Summoner is probably going to figure out who the hell we are, right?”

Jeff winced. “Yeah. You’re on my website.”

“The website!” Alexia groaned, covering her face.

“So, we should move into one of the two houses, too.” Benchley looked between Cian and Jeff. “Right?”

Amaliya gave Cian a significant look at the same time Samantha did the same to Jeff. Cian knew neither woman would prefer to take Benchley into their abodes. The man was helpful, but he’d been increasingly on their nerves with his pessimism during his training sessions with the women.

“We’ll take Alexia,” Cian decided. “She’s building a command center in my basement, so it makes sense.”

Amaliya instantly looked relieved.

“I think that makes sense. Besides, Bench has been helping Samantha with her training,” Jeff agreed.

Benchley looked pleased.

Eduardo cleared his throat loudly.

“You’re not moving in with us,” Cian said swiftly.

“Ah, c’mon. I could curl up on the end of the bed.” Eduardo smirked. “I can keep Amaliya’s toes warm.”

Cian glowered.

“I have room,” Jeff said, raising one hand. “You can stay here.”

Samantha gave Jeff a sharp, startled look.

“Nah, I don’t have any desire to crash at either place. I’m fine on my own. I need my space.” Eduardo ruffled Alexia’s hair, much to her annoyance.

Baptiste looked amused by the exchange, but remained silent.

“Why don’t we all move in together?” Samantha asked. “Isn’t there strength in numbers?”

Cian and Jeff glanced at each other uneasily.

Cian answered the question. “If he successfully attacks one safe haven with all of us in it, we lose. If we’re split between two, if one haven falls, we still have the second to take up the fight.”

“Well, that doesn’t make me feel too good,” Benchley decided grumpily.

Samantha let out a little startled sound, jerking away from Jeff. “What the hell?”

“Phone.” Jeff shifted his weight so he could yank his cellphone out. Frowning, Jeff stared at the screen. “It’s been acting up a little and it does this thing where it sends all my emails at once and it makes it vibrate like a...a...”

“Vibrator?” Amaliya asked, her gaze teasing.

Alexia snorted. “That was funny.”

The growing look of horror on Jeff’s face killed any joviality in the room.