Page 20 of Oathbreaker

“Where’s my favorite sister?” Dash calls down the hall.

“Oh, my God.”

This isn’t going to plan.

This is…a disaster.

“She’s our only sister, dumbass,” I hear Banks say. Something that would normally make me feel all soft and squishy inside—because we’re not blood, but we’re bound more tightly than genetics could possibly make us.

“Language,” Aspen says. “Because if Maisie’s first word is dumbass or fuck or asshole, I will personally castrate all of you.”

“Don’t mention that she just said the top three,” Atlas says dryly.

All of their voices are coming closer.

Lily’s full-bodied laughter echoes our way.

Shit. Shit.

“Be nice,” Willow chides gently.

Because she can be nothing but nice.

And then they're emerging into the kitchen, one after another, like they’re exciting a clown car and tumbling out onto the street below, laughter and smiles abounding—first come Banks and Aspen and Maise, then Atlas and Lily, then Hudson and Willow.

The conversation and teasing and banter continue.

For one more moment.

Because then they catch sight of me and Royal and Jade.

I’m sure my face is revealing far too much, and I saw the concern on Jade and Royal’s faces—that can’t be hard to miss either.

Atlas frowns, his mouth opening.

But Dash isn’t thinking about his sister, isn’t thinking about what no doubt must be pale skin and wide eyes and a jumpy as fuck demeanor.

He’s thinking about his stomach.

And he speaks first, his eyes locking with mine.

“Are you not cooking?” he asks.

Nope. I haven't been thinking about dinner, haven’t done anything except sleep the sleep of the dead and wake up to Frankie and co coming home and freaking out about the fact that Colt is sleeping in my fucking guest room!

“Um,” I begin.

“Shit, Thorny,” he mutters. “I’m hungry as fuck and a salad isn’t going to fill me up.”

“I brought a casserole,” Jade says softly.

“Great,” he says, still muttering.

Dash isn’t a huge fan of casseroles—even the yummy ones that Jade makes.

“And I brought brownies,” Aspen says.

“Better,” my brother says.