God, the Halloween decorations. Rowan shuddered. Thanks to Vicki, The Black Cauldron looked as if a Halloween party superstore had vomited all over the property.
Rowan leaned back and closed her eyes, drinking in as much vitamin D as she could. No sense stressing about it now.
This could be the last hot sunny day I see.
“Auntie Marie seems happy.”
Rowan grunted an answer, not because she begrudged her mother happiness but because there really wasn’t much she cared to say. Marie-Noelle and the gargoyle were inseparable and though at first she’d resisted the idea—hello, a gargoyle?—she’d eventually accepted it.
If the last few days had taught Rowan anything, it was that second chances needed to be cherished and though there was still a hell of a lot of hurt between her and her mother, Rowan was willing to keep her distance.
For the moment. She would talk to her before Samhain, but every time she thought about it her belly rolled, and she felt sick. How did you reconcile their damaged relationship in one conversation?
“So, what’s going on between you and Azaiel?”
Rowan glanced at her cousin and scowled. “Nothing.”
“Nothing,” Hannah repeated.
Rowan straightened up. “That would be correct.”
“You don’t sound too happy about that.”
“It is what it is.” Rowan shrugged. “Not that I should be thinking of sex right now.”
“Sex?” Hannah squealed.
“Shut up!” Rowan hissed, aware that several of her relatives glanced their way, including Vicki. The witch was dressed in short shorts and a tank top that barely concealed her generous assets.
In the distance, Kellen tossed a football back and forth with Priest and Nico. Azaiel stood off to the side, alone. He was always alone.
Hannah followed her gaze, a silly grin on her face as she waved at Nico. The shifter seemed to be having a great time, running and playing catch. But then again, he was a cat.
“What’s going on between the two of you?” Rowan asked, curious. Hannah had never been the sort to settle for one man. She’d always had a few in the hopper and was a terrible flirt, afraid of commitment and the big R. Relationship.
Hannah sighed and leaned back. “Nothing.”
Rowan looked at her sharply, and the two of them burst into laughter. They fell back onto the blanket, and she wasn’t sure when, but at one point her laughter turned to tears. Big fat ones that rolled down her cheeks like wet diamonds. She turned from Hannah, ashamed of her weakness.
Hell, she didn’t even know why she was crying.
“Hey.” Hannah’s hand on her shoulder felt good, and eventually the sniffles subsided.
“I’m sorry,” Rowan exhaled. “I’m just all over the place these days.”
“We all are, but considering the part you’ll have to play, I think it’s okay for you to be an emotional wreck.”
“Gee, thanks.”
Hannah got to her feet. “You know what I think?”
“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.” Rowan joined her cousin, watching curiously as Kellen had organized a bunch of the hunters and her family members into two groups.
“I think you need to get laid.”
“Really,” she answered dryly.
Kellen said something to Azaiel, and though she was too far from them to hear what was said, she felt his reluctance. The arms crossed over his chest was a dead giveaway. Everything about this posture said “leave me alone.” Kellen tossed the football at Azaiel, and he had no choice but to catch it or deal with a broken nose.