He roars out his laughter, his seriousness broken, and then he shakes his head.
"Honestly, only you could forever ruin the idea of sex."
"This is gross," I murmur awkwardly. "I can't talk about sex with you."
I stand up, and he laughs louder while following me into the house.
"I thought we were discussing socks."
"Ha," I mumble, not looking behind me to find his mocking face. "I need a real drink and a change of subject."
"Fine, then let's discuss your aunt."
"Aunt Hilly?" I ask while whipping around. "What about her?"
"She's coming to help us."
"I thought she was working undercover on some big immortal case."
"She was, but when she found out about your mother's disappearance, she dropped the ruse, and now she's on her way to join us. She's not as strong as Calypso, but she'll be some serious help - trustworthy help."
"We can trust Thad, too," I murmur with a little agitation.
"Then why haven't you told him what the dark user said?" he asks, his eyes narrowing.
"Because Thad thinks I'm naïve. He'd probably go after him just to prove he was trying to play me. I want this guy to come back, tell me more. I believed him, and none of you ever listen to me."
"I just think-"
"Exactly," I grumble. "You think, but you never listen. Just forget it. I'm going to my room, reading, and shutting all of this out. Let me know when there's something I can do to help get my mom back."
Storming by him, I huff as I head into my room, slamming the door behind me. No one thinks I'm mature enough for all of this, and here I am throwing a tantrum. I hate old magic.
I stare at the phone in my hand, Kane's name slowly fading as the buzzing stops. Taking a deep breath, I wave my hand over it to bring it to life.
"We'll find her. Maybe if you-"
"Just stop. Stop trying to comfort me, Deke. I appreciate it, but it’s pointless. She doesn't know how dangerous this world can be, and it's starting to scare the hell out of me. I wish she'd just let me know she's okay."
I frown, realizing the depth of his concern for me, and suddenly I feel extremely guilty for all the scandalous thoughts I've had about Thad. It's like I can't help myself though, and that scares me. I know it's in part because of the change I'm not far from - my immortality. I've been warned of the hormonal overload that comes with that.
"I could call that friend of mine. He's never failed in finding someone for me before," Deke says, interrupting my own private thoughts.
"He's too dangerous. He's a loose cannon, and he might hurt her. I'll find her on my own. Did you come up with anything on Callie Coldwell or is it just an alias?"
My stomach sinks. I've always called myself Coldwell because, though Devall is my true surname, it had to die with the ten-year-old girl they knew as Drackus's daughter. It's easier to conceal myself with my mother's first surname.
She's been married so much her name has changed too many times to count. Coldwell, her maiden name, is barely recognized.
"Callie Coldwell exists, but not the one you want. I'm coming up with the same dead ends the detective did. If they're in witness protection, Alyssa might not even be her real name."
It isn't.
I feel like such a bitch for lying to him, but it's always been important to conceal my identity. I haven't heard anyone call me Airis in so long that it's as if Alyssa really is my name.
"I don't care what her damn name is. I just care about her."
With a sigh, I type in a text, and I stare at it, wondering if I should send it or not.