Page 30 of Allie

"We've got you, Allie," they said in unison, strength and promise woven into the very words.

"Thanks, guys." My voice was steadier now, my resolve firming. "Let's not let a little darkness slow us down."

With their help, I sat up, leaning into their support. Together, we faced the unknown, our bond unbreakable. Whatever lay ahead, we'd confront it as one.

13

ALLIE

The hum of magic still buzzed in my ears, a lingering reminder of the clash that had me sprawled on the couch, nursing more than just my pride. I groaned, attempting to sit up, but Draven's cool hand pressed gently against my shoulder, easing me back down.

"Easy there, firecracker," he said with a wry smile, his fangs glinting ever so slightly in the dim light. "You're not joining any magical duels today."

"Feels like I've been steamrolled by a unicorn," I muttered, trying to rub away the throbbing in my temples.

"More like gored," Roan chimed in from the kitchen. Then the scent of chamomile tea reached my senses.

Just then, Aspirin hopped onto my lap with a soft meow. She started kneading my thighs, her purrs vibrating through my sore muscles, offering a different kind of healing. How could such a tiny thing be this comforting? I stroked her fur, the softness a balm to my frayed nerves.

"Looks like Aspirin's got the magic touch," Draven noted, watching us with an affectionate gaze that stirred something warm in my chest.

"Seems so," I agreed, feeling a smile genuinely bloom on my face for the first time since the clash.

"Okay, we need to do some digging into the guy in the sketch," Roan said and handed me a cup of tea. His eyes met mine, and I grabbed his shirt, pulling him down to kiss him. He picked me up and sat down in my spot, placing me on his lap. “Grant, do you know where he lives? Works?”

Grant shook his head. “The guy is some kind of big shot CEO of a tech company in the city.” He grabbed a pen and piece of paper from Nat’s desk that sat in the corner of the living room. Then he wrote down an address.

“It’s getting late,” Roan said, then kissed my cheek. “I’m going to do some digging. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I gave him a mock pout as he stood with me in his arms, then sat me back on the couch. “Get some sleep,” he said and kissed me quick.

"Your magic needs rest," Asa said softly, abandoning his sketchpad to come closer. "Draven and I are heading out to scope out the company’s headquarters to see if we can get a home address on the guy."

"Be safe," I called after them as they filed out the door, leaving only the sound of Aspirin's purring to fill the silence.

The room felt emptier without their presence, but not entirely so. Grant remained, leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest, watching me with those perceptive fox eyes that missed nothing.

"Thought you'd gone with the others," I murmured, pushing myself up into a seated position and wincing at the dull ache that lingered in my head.

"Roan didn't want me out there," Grant said, a playful smirk curving his lips, "Thinks I'm a wildcard."

"Are you?" I teased, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach that his close proximity always seemed to induce.

"Maybe," he replied, sauntering over to sit beside me. "But I'm also the best bet for keeping you safe while everyone's gone."

"Roan's just being protective," I reasoned, though I couldn't deny the warmth that spread through me at the thought of Grant staying by my side.

"Protective," he echoed, his voice dipping an octave lower. "Yes, that's one word for it."

The silence stretched between us, comfortable yet charged with an unspoken understanding. He was here because he cared, not just about the group or our mission, but about me. It was unsettling and yet undeniably thrilling.

"Tell me about your sister," I asked, shifting to face him.

"Her name was Emma," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "She got caught up with the cult... before we knew what they were capable of. By the time I realized it was too late. She was gone."

My heart clenched in empathy, the pain in his eyes mirroring the ache I had felt so many times before. "I'm sorry, Grant," I breathed, reaching out to touch his arm.

"Me too." His gaze met mine, and for a moment, I saw the vulnerability he so often masked with humor. "It's why I hesitated with you, Allie. I couldn't bear the thought of losing someone else I care about."