Page 47 of Visions of You

"I knew you were going to give this to me," Keegan said, running his fingers over the wool. "I just hadn't expected it to be so soon. This thing means a lot to you."

"It does," Jaron conceded. "But so do you." He lightly tugged on the scarf to bring Keegan closer. "You're my other half," he murmured, brushing his lips against Keegan's. "Anything I own is yours. Besides," he drew back a little, "it's got protective power. I don't know how much help it'll be, but it might come in handy."

Keegan toyed with the material. "This is enchanted?"

So he hadn't known that much. Jaron grinned. "Yup."

"To keep me safe, huh?" There was something odd about the way he said that, as if the sentiment amused him and made him sad at the same time.

Jaron didn't understand, but he was starting to accept that he would never understand everything Keegan said or did. He'd drive himself mad trying. "Do you like it?" he asked instead of trying to dig deeper.

Keegan gave him a smile that warmed his heart. "I love it."

Jaron was tempted to kiss his vampire again, but just when he was about to go for it, his phone rang in his pocket.

"You should get that," Keegan said.

With a frustrated groan, Jaron pulled back and fished his phone out of his pocket. He glanced at the screen and saw Malkira's name. He couldn't ignore her call.

"Hey," he said, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice.

"Jaron, I'm sorry to bother you, but could you come home? We have a bit of a situation here." Malkira sounded apologetic, but there was an undercurrent of tension in her voice.

"What's wrong?" Jaron asked, his brow furrowing.

"Your brother is here. Casca."

Jaron's eyes widened. "What's he doing there?"

"He seems a bit upset. I think it would be best if you came home to talk to him."

Jaron sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright, I'll be there soon."

He ended the call and turned to Keegan, who was watching him with a curious expression. "I have to go," Jaron said. "Family emergency."

Keegan nodded. "Go, talk to your brother."

Jaron was about to ask how Keegan knew about Casca but he caught himself before the words could slip out of his mouth. "Do you know why Casca's upset?" he asked instead.

Keegan looked at him for a long moment, as if weighing his answer. "It's about your parents," he said in the end.

Well, that was helpful.

"He'll be fine," Keegan added, as if he could see that he'd worried Jaron. "He's got you."

"Right."

"Go home," Keegan said. "I'll make another attempt at figuring out the kidnappings while you're gone."

Jaron didn't like that idea. It was good that Keegan wanted to make up for his mistakes, but there was no guarantee that he would get it right if he looked again, and every guarantee that the exercise would exhaust him more. "You're going to fall over if you keep pushing yourself."

Keegan waved off his concern. "I'm sturdier than I look."

Jaron shook his head at the vampire, but what more could he say? "I'll be back later. Reserve at least some energy for me, will you?"

Keegan laughed. "I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"You don't think I'll be back tonight?"