“We knew this night was coming. It was a matter of time,” he started. “We learned a few things tonight. The Summoner knows that Samantha is a phasmagus. Also, he’s building an army of supernaturals just as we are. The were-bear, witches, and demons are all evidence of this.”
“Fuck my timing,” Eduardo said, coming in from the hallway and joining the group. “I would be just in time for the long-winded speech.”
“Took you long enough to get here,” Jeff muttered.
“I was eating.”
Cian saw Samantha start in her chair and give Eduardo a very pensive look.
“Can anyone just walk in here?” Baptiste asked with concern.
“My crew members all have keys and the alarm codes.” Jeff was snuggled on a loveseat with Samantha, his fingers gently stroking her hair, obviously soothing her. “I’ll get you one, too.”
Baptiste nodded, his eyes watching Eduardo thoughtfully.
“Who’s the guy that smells like fire?” Eduardo stopped to eye Baptiste suspiciously.
“Baptiste. I’m the elemagus Rachoń sent.”
“Huh,” was all Eduardo said.
Much to Cian’s annoyance, the were-coyote took his sweet time deciding where to sit, finally scooting in between Alexia and Benchley. Putting his feet on the coffee table, he motioned to Cian to continue.
Cian pinned the coyote with a hard stare, then continued. “According to Rachoń, he’s been ignoring us to set his plans in motion. This is most likely true. She had a very different relationship with him than I did.”
Eduardo rolled his eyes.
Cian had the desire to pluck them out. “She fought alongside him. She knows his tactics. I, unfortunately, bore the brunt of them. I know from my own experiences that he likes to play games. He likes to keep his victims off-balance. Honestly, I think he fully expected to kill Samantha tonight. We surprised him. He’ll regroup, reconsider his methods, then try again. We have a little time.”
Amaliya sighed from where she sat. With her legs crossed, she looked wickedly sexy. “He never fuckin’ changes.”
“Which is a good thing,” Baptiste pointed out. “It means he’ll keep the same pattern.”
Benchley chuckled darkly. “Does that mean we’ll keep our pattern of barely surviving?”
“Hey, we kicked ass,” Samantha protested.
Though Cian was inclined to actually chastise the group for everything they’d done wrong tonight, he’d learned enough over his long years of life that this would be the wrong tactic. Swallowing his annoyance, he said, “Cassandra, you did a good job in arming everyone. Samantha was able to kill the were-bear because of the silver bullets.”
“It’s still not good enough. We were too scattered. We need to train together.” Cassandra looked remarkably like her mother in that moment and it made Cian love her just that much more. His daughter was a reminder that there had been good in his life at one point. “I suggest we start training together so we don’t accidently shoot each other.”
“Sorry,” Samantha said, wincing.
“I ducked,” Cassandra said.
Aimee clutched Cassandra’s hand gently, and squeezed it.
“Can you take care of that training, Cassandra?” Cian lifted an eyebrow at the dhamphir. “You have a very good idea what all our strengths and weaknesses are. Make us all into a better fighting unit?”
“Yeah, yeah. I can handle it.” Cassandra grinned, tilting her head to gaze at him with something akin to affection.
“Aimee, your ward was very effective. Maybe too effective.” Cian gestured toward Amaliya. “It complicated matters a bit.”
“I’m already working on a new ward,” the witch said, her expression pensive. She sat cross-legged on the sofa between Cassandra and Baptiste, her bare feet sticking out from the folds of her flowing, embroidered skirt. “I’m sure I can adjust the wards. I’ll need to borrow Amaliya a few times to make sure it holds up against necromancy.”
“Can do,” Amaliya said.
Cian could tell she was bored. He wanted nothing more than to go home and crawl into bed with her, but there was much to discuss.
“Also,” Aimee continued in such a way Cian knew her next phrase may upset a few people, “Amaliya and Samantha both practice forms of death magic. It’s technically dark magic. That may make it a bit difficult to tune the ward.”
“Dark magic?” Samantha’s brow furrowed. “Jeff, it’s dark magic?”
“Yeah, but not black magic. It’s because it involves dead things, not living things like white magic. Don’t panic.” Jeff cuddled her up tighter.
“Who fuckin’ cares what kind of magic it is as long as it kicks The Summoner’s ass?” Amaliya said. “C’mon. That’s what really matters.”
Aimee nodded somberly. “Exactly.”
Cian didn’t want to get into a discussion about magic, so he plunged onward. “Honestly, I think the most positive outcome of the night is that we now have everyone gathered under two roofs. As far as we know Aimee’s spell to hide the location of my house has worked. Sadly, it won’t take too much to find Jeff’s, but it is the best fortified of both houses. The old wards that Dr. Summerfield placed on the house are still holding according to Aimee. I think a few additions will make it even safer.”
“Plus, this house is built on a positive energy nexus. I need it to renew my energy and so does Baptiste,” Aimee pointed out. “I also have another idea.”
“Go on,” Cian urged.
“I think I can create a magical grid that will allow us to know when supernaturals enter the city. Like an early warning system.”
“Awesome idea, babe!” Cassandra flashed a prideful look at her girlfriend.
“It may take a little bit of work, but once I’m done with the wards, I’m sure I can come up with something really effective.”
Benchley loudly cleared his throat. “Okay, you supes are all in the same spot, but Alexia and I are not so safe, right? The Summoner is probably going to figure out who the hell we are, right?”
Jeff winced. “Yeah. You’re on my website.”
“The website!” Alexia groaned, covering her face.
“So, we should move into one of the two houses, too.” Benchley looked between Cian and Jeff. “Right?”
Amaliya gave Cian a significant look at the same time Samantha did the same to Jeff. Cian knew neither woman would prefer to take Benchley into their abodes. The man was helpful, but he’d been increasingly on their nerves with his pessimism during his training sessions with the women.
“We’ll take Alexia,” Cian decided. “She’s building a command center in my basement, so it makes sense.”
Amaliya instantly looked relieved.
“I think that makes sense. Besides, Bench has been helping Samantha with her training,” Jeff agreed.
Benchley looked pleased.
Eduardo cleared his throat loudly.
“You’re not moving in with us,” Cian said swiftly.
“Ah, c’mon. I could curl up on the end of the bed.” Eduardo smirked. “I can keep Amaliya’s toes warm.”
Cian glowered.
“I have room,” Jeff said, raising one hand. “You can stay here.”
Samantha gave Jeff a sharp, startled look.
“Nah, I don’t have any desire to crash at either place. I’m fine on my own. I need my space.” Eduardo ruffled Alexia’s hair, much to her annoyance.
Baptiste looked amused by the exchange, but remained silent.
“Why don’t we all move in together?” Samantha asked. “Isn’t there strength in numbers?”