Page 136 of Grave Beginnings

“Hanna won’t budge. Woodward’s on the team. I pointed out that SED has never had good luck with a practitioner. She doesn’t care. Jude needs the training and we need the people,” Ezra said.

“If he tries to drain me again, I’m biting him, then kicking him in the balls,” I said.

“Agreed,” Angel said firmly.

“Even if he did close the portal, he could haveasked.” Or explained, or something. I sighed, feeling like this whole mess was my fault. I’d opened the barrier to rescue the kid. How many others were still trapped? Were there more kids? More people? Or were they all monsters? I tried not to think about it. “What the fuck was that place?”

“No idea.”

“I’d like to not be stuck there again,” Ezra growled.

Angel turned back to Ezra. “Woodward is trained, but not trained enough to not get pulled into some otherworldly prison.” His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles whitening. “If he touchesJude again, I’ll rip him to confetti with my claws and dance on his entrails.”

“Down, boy.” I tugged Angel back to my side. “Save the dismemberment for our anniversary. Right now, I'd settle for him just keeping his lips to himself.”

Angel exhaled sharply, but his rigid stance softened as he leaned his forehead against mine. “Stop nearly dying on me.”

“I promise, I’m not normally this much trouble.”

“I call bullshit,” he grumbled. “I’ve only known you a week.” His glare spoke volumes. “Hellhounds. We’re getting you hellhound protection. At least a dozen.”

“I’ll remind you that I’m more of a cat person.”

Ezra crossed his arms. “His brother and grandfather are in the waiting room. And why the hell is Xavier lurking outside like a villain? The kid seems in perfect control of his cat.”

“Huh?” I started to ask, but the door creaked open before I could finish.

Ivan peeked around the door, then looked relieved to find me sitting up and talking. “Oh, you look okay.”

“I’m fine,” I said, unwilling to worry him again. “Just drained by some blue-haired douchebag and hung up to dry. Nothing some cookies and K-pop won’t cure.”

His gaze shifted to Angel as if he didn’t believe me.

“He’s fine,” Angel said.

Ivan opened the door, holding it for Grandpa. I caught a glimpse of Xavier and the creepy twins in the hall outside the door, as if acting as guard. But I didn’t think they were guarding me. Maybe new shifters warranted that type of worry?

“Hey, Gramps,” I said, holding up my hands. “See, I’m fine. No worries.”

“Last time you said that, they marked you.” He glared at the glowing band on my arm.

Yeah, no going back on that. Maybe distraction would be a better option as his gaze narrowed on my hand clamped inAngel’s. “Let me introduce you to my partner and boyfriend, Angel Mao.”

Ivan grinned and Grandpa sputtered. “How exactly do you end up in the hospital again and find a boyfriend, all in less than two weeks?”

I sighed and tugged Angel to sit down beside me while I tried to think of a way to break this mate bond thing to my grandfather. “When fate has a plan, I guess we’re all praying for lube…”

49

While I’d been giventhe weekend torecover, Angel stuck to my side like glue, the questions piling up in my head. He insisted on taking all of us back to my apartment—Ivan, Grandpa, and I—and got everyone situated before dragging me to the bedroom. Ivan’s new room, painted and filled with furniture, allowed room for Grandpa to sleep on the couch. Peanut Butter was beside himself with excitement, jumping from one lap to the next to snuggle with everyone, and I was exhausted, not wanting to visit or be the adultier adult. Angel understood.

He left the door cracked enough for my cat to come and go, and shoved me into pajamas while I swayed with exhaustion, too tired to focus and far too unfocused to do more than admire his defined shoulders and tattoos. His shoulder was the best place to rest my head.

“Rest,” he murmured, and I didn’t remember how he’d gotten me in bed and pulled the blanket up over us, but that was okay because I fell asleep that fast, knowing my family was safe in my house, and that Angel watched over me.

I startled awake sometime later, uncertain what had wokenme, but Angel ran a soothing hand down my side as he quietly whispered into his phone.

“No sign of Cassidy?” He listened for a few seconds. “His apartment is completely missing? How is that possible? No one can trace it across the Veil?” He listened again. I perked up, trying to follow the conversation, but he had the volume too low for me to make out the other side. “What about the kid?”