Page 74 of Final Shift
I glanced at Garrett. “Not quite.”
The shifter’s eyes narrowed. “Louisiana?” He shuddered. “Absolutely not.”
I laughed. “What? Why not? I hear the food is amazing there.”
“I wouldn’t know and don’t plan to find out,” he grumbled. “I’m not opposed to moving Soren to a new territory, but I don’t want to take his place.”
Rowan shifted to where he could cradle me against his chest. He toyed with my hair as he spoke. “Are you at all interested in becoming a Lord?”
Garrett didn’t need a moment to think about it. “In the past, I might have said yes. Working for Evie is a dream. I get a good paycheck, and I’ve only been shot once.”
Everyone besides me laughed. When I thought of that night, the trauma of watching him almost die hit me all over again. But I had to admit, Garrett and I started forming a bond afterward when we’d woken up naked in a hole together. Odd how we’d gone from him threatening to murder me to him being equivalent to a Lord’s Second.
“Just once?” Moira asked. “Those are rookie numbers.”
Garrett flashed a grin. “I’m surprised it hasn’t been worse, actually.”
“Stop,” I begged with a groan. “I want no one I care about in danger. Not even you, Garrett. I care about you the least.”
We grinned at each other. “Are you sure you don’t want your own territory?”
Garrett shook his sandy colored head. “I’m getting the best of both worlds, Evie. I protect your interests while not gettingcaught up in politics. You give me the freedom I need, and I get the autonomy I want.”
“Simone?” I asked.
My friend and Omega shrugged a slender shoulder. “I’m with Garrett. I’ll be with you for as long as you want or need. Going back to Pack politics and a strict hierarchy—” she shuddered.
Rowan stared at them incredulously. “Damn. I guess I’m chopped liver.”
“Not at all,” Garrett said. “You’re the fairest Lord I’ve ever known. But Evie—” he slid a sly glance my way, “keeps things interesting.”
My mate’s knowing chuckle made my lips twitch. “It’s going to get worse,” I said with a sweet smile.
“Dad canceled court, but pretty soon you two will have to start traveling with me.”
Simone perked up. “We get to go to the fae lands and see a real castle?”
Dad nodded. “Many real castles. Evie and Rowan will have numerous social events to attend once things settle down.”
Garrett’s expression turned thoughtful. “And Thalia?”
“She’s safe on my lands,” Rowan said. “Though I think you know this by now. She’s shown a great interest in the mages.”
Garrett frowned. Caelan had placed Garrett in charge of Thalia when my father twisted the Lord’s arm into taking her on as a charge. When Garrett came with me, Thalia had to come with him. She was my sister, though we weren’t very close, and her magic was wildly different than my own.
Thalia was a Seer and could not be left alone for very long lest she be thrust into a vision and injure herself. She didn’t remember most of her visions and needed someone there with her to write everything down for interpretation later. While my sister was doing the best she could with the hand she’d been dealt, Thalia would never be able to work or drive or do any ofthe things normal people could, and finally coming to terms with those limitations was difficult for her.
I rarely saw her anymore, and she made it clear she didn’t want me coming around for a while. While this wasn’t my fault, and I refused to accept blame, I respected her wishes and had let her be. She’d find me when, if ever, she wanted to talk.
Complicating things was Garrett’s crush, though I think he was on his way to being over that, especially with how snarly Thalia was these days.
“She’s surrounded by powerful shifters, Garrett. And no one knows she’s here.”
“Caelan does.” Garrett and the other Lords had once been close friends. After everything, Garrett’s trust in him was shattered.
“Caelan has his own shit to deal with,” Rowan assured him. “And if he did decide to harass Thalia, he’s down half his people, and we have a full house. He won’t get very far.”
Garrett closed his eyes and let out a heavy breath. “You’re right. Thalia isn’t helpless, either.”
