Page 168 of Taming the Beasts

“Kebe is just about done cleaning up the town square,” he said. “And I don’t think anyone is going to remember what happened. All the guests seemed so out of it. Hopefully they all go home, wash up, and never think about tonight ever again. But just in case, there won’t be a trace of the carnage in the town square or along Main Street come morning.”

“No wonder you’re exhausted,” Emma said.

“Why do you think you can remember what happened?” I asked. “And the guys? When everyone else can’t?”

“I think because we weren’t just turned. We weren’t in a state of confusion like the other guests. At least, that’s what Kebe’s theory is.”

I was still upset with Kebe about using that coin. But she had come around. And it seemed like she was really helping out now too.

“Thanks, Callum,” Bennett said. “For staying back and cleaning up.”

“Well, it was my wedding,” Callum said with a chuckle.

Emma groaned. “It was supposed to be the best night of our lives.”

Callum smiled sadly down at her.

“You two should go,” I said. I wasn’t sure their wedding night was salvageable. But they had to at least try.

“I am exhausted,” Callum said.

I didn’t want them to just go home and sleep. That hardly seemed celebratory. “You must be hungry too, right? You haven’t had a real meal in forever. What did you used to like to eat before you changed?”

Callum thought about it for a minute. “Meat and potatoes.”

Well, that was basic. I guess food in the 1700s wasn’t exactly as exciting as it was now though. A whole culinary world had just opened up to him. But if he wanted some good meat and potatoes... “If you want a current classic version of that, there’s a diner a few miles from town that has the best burgers and fries. They’re probably still open. And they’re far enough away from Crooked Point that they probably weren’t disturbed at all.”

Emma smiled. “That sounds so good. What do you think?” She looked up at Callum.

“I’ve always been curious about what a burger would truly taste like. I’ve eaten a few over the years at public events. And they tasted like cardboard. It was hard to imagine the appeal.”

Emma laughed. “I promise they’re way better than cardboard. They’re so so good. Oh, and with extra cheese!”

Callum smiled. “I’ve missed cheese. Do they still have Yankee cheese? Or a good brick cheese?”

Ew, what?

Emma stood up. “I have no idea what those cheeses are, you old man. But you’re about to experience American cheese for the first time.” She put out her hand. “Let’s go have our wedding meal.”

Callum laughed as he stood up. “Sounds like a plan.” He slid his hand into hers. “I’m quite curious about this American cheese you’re speaking of. Is it like milled curds?”

I laughed.

“Call us with any updates, okay?” Emma said to me.

I nodded, even though I had no intention of interrupting their night.

They made the rounds saying goodbye to everyone before heading out the doors.

I leaned my head back in my chair and stared at the ceiling. I just wanted Titan to be okay. We should all being going out and getting burgers together. Laughing and having fun. Or scowling, if that’s what Titan wanted to do. I’d kill to see even one more of his menacing scowls.

“He’s going to be okay,” Otto said. “I’m sure of it.”

I lifted my head. “There’s no way you could possibly know that.”

Otto put his arm around my shoulders. “I do know it. It’s Titan.”

I got that. He was strong and fierce and terrifying. But it didn’t make him invincible.