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June twenty-fourth.

Today was the day.

My birthday.

Eighteen years old, and I felt like maybe I should be turning forty-five instead.

Eighteen was supposed to beit.The year you magically became an adult and could legally gamble, vote, and buy cigarettes if you wanted. I didn’t give a crap about any of these things.

Oh, and porn. Couldn’t forget that little doozy.

I didn’t give a crap about magically becoming an adult, and I also thought eighteen was overrated. I didn’t want a party and had never actually had one before. Why change now? If it were up to me, no one would have even known it was my damn birthday.

It wasn’t up to me.

Fancy that.

Rain had tried to take over, but Damien was not to be denied, and he’d enlisted the salt and pepper twins in his endeavors, so Rain had been forcefully shoved to the side.

Rain hadn’t much cared for this, and nobody else seemed to care that he felt that way. I actually felt bad for the guy because this was our first birthday together since I’d been taken from him—and the only one I would remember—but I didn’t step in to smooth things over or stand up for Rain. First of all, I hadn’t wanted to make a big deal out of my birthday and nobody stepped in for me there, least of all Rain, so he was on his own. Secondly, they needed to work their shit out amongst themselves and leave me out of it.

I had too much other shit on my plate and refused to be drawn into petty squabbles amongst the males in my life, my father included.

The cell phone plugged in on my nightstand vibrated, and I reached over, unplugged it from the cord, and lifted it up to my face so I could see the screen.

I had a text from Raven.

Raven:Heard word it’s your B-day. I wanted to send you flowers because every pretty girl deserves flowers, but I figured you’d be the only person in your coven who’d appreciate the gesture. I sent something less offensive instead. It should be there sometime this afternoon.

My phone vibrated again, and another text from Raven appeared on the screen.

Raven:And just in case you’re wondering, and we both know you are, everyone is fine and doing great. Enjoy your special day.

Raven.

Finally, something to smile about. I had learned to enjoy the gifts the people in my life gave me and to simply say, “Thank you.” Whatever he sent me, I knew it’d be thoughtful and kind, and I’d love it regardless because he’d taken the time to send it to me in the first place.

The first time Raven texted me, he’d ended it with his name at the bottom of the text. I saved him into my contacts so I’d know who he was when he contacted me again. Still, he placed his name at the bottom. I’d told him he didn’t have to do it since I knew it was him, but he’d completely ignored me and kept right on doing it.

It was absurd and made me laugh every time I saw it. Raven was a very serious but oddly weird dude, and I really, really liked him. And not just because he’d remembered my birthday and took the time to let me know he’d remembered. All that said good things about Raven.

I seriously hoped Isobel wasn’t attempting to poison him or date rape his ass, because I’d have to kick hers if she did.

Something inside my chest moved and slithered down my body. I looked down to see silver strands wrapped around my body, and my limbs began to appear and then I felt them being nudged slightly.

Dash was being nosy and wanted to know where I was, and he was trying to get a good read on my emotions without actually coming to physically seek me out himself. I sighed in frustration. This was beginning to get on my nerves, and somehow I had to find a way to put a stop to it.

Romero had settled into life at the Alexander big house with ease that nobody else felt. The man made everyone but myself and Dash incredibly uncomfortable. I might have found this more amusing if Dash didn’t act as if he were uncomfortablewith me.

I got it, really I did.

I fucked up by not telling him and running off to save the day, and I left everyone behind. Boys didn’t like to take that kind of hit to their pride—or manhood, if you would—and Neanderthal ways. Dash especially with his pride, since he wasn’t the Neanderthal type. More of a nurturer.

But, and this was ahugebut to him, he’d said horrible things to me, essentially treated me like garbage, and then felt bad about it when I put myself at risk to bring his long-lost father home to him safe and sound. I had come home safe and sound as well, if you didn’t consider my mental state when I got here.

Dash had wholeheartedly apologized, and I’d easily forgiven him without even having to think about it. I had assumed that would be that and we’d wash our hands of it.