Magical Midlife Invasion (Leveling Up 3)

“Dad, put some clothes on,” I said, getting down off the bed.

“Why me?” Dad asked, gesturing around him.

“This is my house. I make the rules.”

“You didn’t adhere to my rules; I don’t have to adhere to yours.” He held the battle-axe a little tighter.

“And where did you get that battle-axe?” I demanded. “Put Jake back. You shouldn’t have that.”

“At least someone thought to bring a weapon,” my dad said.

“He does have a point,” Ulric said with a grin. “What’s going on, Jessie?”

“Nothing.” I surveyed my ruined door, one set of hinges still on and the other torn free. “Edgar surprised me, is all.”

“Holy crap.” Ulric widened his eyes. “If this is what happens when someone surprises you, I count myself lucky to be on your side.”

“We’re good, everyone. Go back to your tasks,” Austin said, helping Edgar up. The gargoyles peeled away slowly, heading off to sleep or keep watch out the windows.

“Miss.” Mr. Tom turned the corner at the other end of the hall, appearing behind my dad, perfectly dressed like he was ready for the day. “Shall I get you some coffee?”

“Why weren’t you here earlier?” Austin asked Mr. Tom, a growl riding his words. “She could’ve been in danger.”

“I knew it was Edgar who had surprised her, and I’ve personally experienced what happens to anyone who surprises her out of her sleep. It’s nice to know she has taken it easy on me in the past, and that she is comfortable with me now. Edgar, you have a bone popping out. That’s not a good look.”

“Yeah, my arm hurts a little.” Edgar stuck out his right arm, his left still raised in surrender. A shard stuck out of his forearm, and I turned away and gagged. I never would’ve made it as a nurse, something I’d known for a long time, and this new life constantly reminded me of that fact.

“Oh my God, I am so sorry, Edgar.” I immediately sent a stream of magic to repair the damage.

“What’s that?” My dad crept closer to Edgar. “Oh wow, yes, that doesn’t look good. We need to get you to a hospital.”

“Oh no, it’ll be fine. I heal really quickly, Mr. Callium—”

“McMillian,” I corrected him.

“Mr. McCallium,” Edgar said. I let it go. “I’ve had worse. Once half my head was crushed in—”

“That explains some things,” Mr. Tom murmured.

“So long as no one cuts off my head or stabs silver through my heart, I’ll keep going, right as rain.”

“Put your hand down, man, this is serious,” my dad said, clearly at the end of his tether.

“Dad, head back to bed. We’ll take Edgar to the hospital,” I said even as my magic stitched up Edgar’s arm. “It’ll be fine by morning.”

“How did he even— What happened?” my dad demanded, Jake still in a death grip, as though the ancient battle-axe was the only thing connecting him to sanity.

“He scared me and I threw him through the door.”

My dad looked down the dim hall at me for a moment and blinked. “Huh.” He nodded. “Atta girl.” He shook his head, muttering to himself as he headed back to bed. By the time he left this house, nothing would faze him. Maybe nothing already did, given his non-reactions to everything he’d seen.

“Why did you want to see me, Edgar?” I asked, doing a sweep of the property, feeling the basajaun way out in the woods, moving slowly and probably silently, on patrol.

“I have something for you, Jessie. I found it! I think I found it, at any rate.” He finally put his hand down, now cradling his injured arm to his body. “I’ve had a breakthrough regarding the intruders’ ability to hide from Ivy House’s magic.”

Excitement rose through me, and I put out a finger. “Wait there. Let me get dressed.”

“You might get dressed, too, Mr. Steele,” Mr. Tom said.

Austin stood next to Edgar, his expression still hard but his focus now on me—or, more accurately, on my nighty.

Warmth infused my cheeks, and memories of last night filtered through my mind. I’d fallen asleep on the couch while watching TV with him, my legs across his thighs. I’d awoken in his arms while he gently transported me up to my room. I’d hugged him goodnight and then felt the need to sleep in something a little sexier than my normal T-shirt and undies.

Without a word, he turned and went back into his room. I returned to mine and changed in the closet so as not to give everyone another peep show. Austin and I met back in the hallway minutes later, both dressed. I could sense Edgar down in the kitchen with Mr. Tom, so I led the way, hurrying down the stairs as the house quieted down, everyone back in their rooms or their assigned spots for sentry duty.

“Coffee, miss?” Mr. Tom asked as I reached him. He held out a steaming white mug. “Mr. Steele?”