Summer Cursed

Chapter Twenty-Four

The next few weeks were mostly uneventful. We had a few issues pop up from the aftermath of the video but nothing too bad. Liam scoured the national news for signs of any other problems, but they were also small and taken care of quickly.

Stella had woken up, but her hunger for blood made her crazy, and Philip insisted it wasn’t safe for us to see her. He said breaking her was like taming a wild bronco… who liked to drink blood.

“If you don’t let me see her soon, I’m going to hurt you,” I said.

“Promise?” he asked with a grin.

I shook my head. “You two just might be made for each other.”

“I’m thinking the same thing.”

I stared at him. I didn’t miss the implication in his words. How perversely perfect would it be if Philip and Stella were fated.

“I want to see her soon, Phil.”

“Soon. Just not today.”

“Fine.” My phone dinged then and pulled my attention from him. I read the message and jumped up and down. “My house is ready!”

It had technically been habitable for a week, but it made sense to let them put the finishing touches on the interior before I moved in. Isaac had sworn his crew had only worked when they had extra time, but something told me he was lying. The speed at which they’d finished was unbelievable. I had a strong feeling he wanted me to move out of Liam’s house.

I’d already told Liam that I wasn’t ready to live with him. Sleeping over was one thing but moving in was entirely different. I’d gone from being single and independent to practically living with Liam out of necessity. With my house being ready, I had the opportunity to live in my own space and take things a little slower.

I thanked him for his hospitality in every way possible, multiple times. He said he understood, but I could tell he wasn’t thrilled. He’d been sulking in his office while I packed. After I finished, I let myself in and sat on his lap.

“Liam, stop pouting.”

“I don’t pout.”

“You’re pouting.”

“I’m a grown man. I don’t pout. I brood. I’m brooding.”

I touched my lips to his. “Well, excuse me, Mr. Fraser, brooding it is.”

“Shush,” he said, smacking my ass. “I don’t like that you’ll be alone out there in the middle of nowhere.”

“Okay, well, if it’ll keep you from worrying, you can stay at my place tonight. We can break it in.” I pulled back a little. “But first I’m going to at least try talking to Stella.”

“I don’t think Philip will allow it.”

“He can’t stop me from talking through the door.” I shrugged. “I have to try.”

“I understand, but just know she won’t be herself for a while yet.”

“She hasn’t been herself for months.”

“True.”

“After that I’m going to the Academy. Then I’m meeting Isaac at the house to do the final walkthrough.”

“Academy? I thought the Council stopped giving you community service.”

I pried his hands off my ass and stood up from his lap. “Thanks to you, they did, but that means I never get to go there. I’m going to sign up to volunteer permanently.”

He nodded. “Okay. While you’re gone, I’m going to reach out to Astrid, try to set up a time with her to meet you.”