“Founder’s Park. One of the most important places in the Indies.”
I rolled up my window and stashed my bag under my seat. “Oh, yeah?
Why’s that?”
“There’s a bonfire every Saturday at sundown. Best place to unwind.” He
winked and climbed out of the car. “And there’ll be enough sorcerers here to
nuke Kahanov to kingdom come if he shows up, so you’ll be safe.” He
grabbed a bag of ice and a bottle of Jose Cuervo black from the backseat and
handed me two insulated Yeti Ramblers. “Hold these.”
“You know these people?”
“Some. There’s always a good crowd, all ages—just not teenagers, thank
fates,” he added, grinning. “No one wants to deal with sloppy kids.”
A black Beamer pulled into the lot, and a couple of girls who looked to be
in their late twenties climbed out, holding a six pack of hard seltzer and a
bottle of vodka. One of the girls shouted Casey’s name and waved.
He glanced over his shoulder and gave her a thumbs-up but didn’t stop.
“But yeah, pretty much anyone is welcome. Just not the wolves.”
“Right.” A sinking pit of dread settled in my stomach. Kahanov had that
damn grimoire and was trying to hijack my dreams. He might still be after
my blood. Shit was dire, and despite my anger at Jaxson, my feelings for him
muddled everything. Could I trust him?
“You were with him today, weren’t you?” Casey asked, as if reading my
mind.
“I was.” I narrowed my eyes at my cousin, trying to detect any hint of
judgement. But there was none.
“A piece of advice, Cuz,” he continued. “Stay away from Jaxson. I know
you’ve heard it before, and I’m not one to lecture you, but you can’t ever
trust him or the pack. You’re not one of them, and they’ll never have your
back.”
“Believe me, I don’t trust them. I just don’t have many other options right
now.”