Page 42 of Our Covenant

Our magic is powerful, but it’s a drop in the cauldron compared to what’s been poured into the foundation of the manor since it was built. Hundreds of legacies and sacrifices have performed thousands of rituals within these walls and the protection spells are stronger than any one coven could produce. In a way, the manor is our Paraclete. Providing shelter and protection, it’s also where we draw our strength and power. It’s why the coven has been stowing away their most valuable descendants inside of it for so long.

“I need my laptop,” she deadpans. “If you’re not planning to kill me, then I need to keep up on my study schedule.”

“We don’t plan on it.” I shut my bedroom door then take the few steps across the hall to the bathroom. “But accidents happen.”

I shut the door before she can make another remark. Fox has her laptop and her phone. His one task today is to break the security encryption that she or whoever she’s working with put on the both of them. Nothing he hasn’t seen before, but it’s further proof that Elsbeth isn’t a normal college student.

She’s not in the hallway when I’m finished showering and the door to the guest room is shut. The tray that Fox brought her dinner up on is sitting right outside. She picked at the chicken, leaving over half of it on the plate. The only thing she did eat was the vegetables. Fox missed his true calling as a chef, but I guess dealing with all of our particular tastes, allergies, and schedules is harder than any restaurant he’d open in town.

Downstairs, Fox is already making breakfast. His thick black locks stick up in every direction, and the bags under his eyes make him look worn. Usually, he wanders about without a shirt, but this morning he’s donning a thick hoodie and joggers.

“Going for a run?” I ask by way of greeting.

He holds out his spatula in one hand and a fat burrito in the other to look down his own body before meeting my eyes. “I didn’t want to look slutty with a guest in the house.”

I huff a laugh. “Mission failed. You always look slutty.”

He rolls his eyes but can’t hide that proud, crooked smile.

“You made breakfast burritos?” I walk around the kitchen island and grab one from the top of the pile.

The tortilla is slightly crisp from searing in the pan, but it’s soft and warm in my hand. The sweet spice of bell pepper mingles with chorizo. I take a bite that nearly burns the roof of my mouth but savor every bit of it. Creamy potato and cheese fill my cheeks and perfectly compliment the onions and peppers. Whoever Fox ends up marrying will be both lucky and cursed because after five years of his cooking, I’ll be over every day for at least one meal.

“You can win anyone over with a good breakfast burrito,” he reasons, wrapping one into a little bundle with foil. He sets it down on a plate with small dishes of sour cream, salsa, and fresh strawberries.

“There’s a Gavin Newsom joke in there somewhere. But I’m too tired to find it,” I quip, taking another large bite and loudly humming the savory notes of satisfaction. “And I’m sure it’s just as witty and double-edged as he is.”

“Asher’s father would love to hear your thoughts on Newsom. Let me know how they land when you get back.”

I hang my head and grunt. Senator Morey has held his hard middle-road policies for three terms. Useless as any other politician, but he has stayed under the radar by showing support to both sides equally. Spineless.

“Maddox and I will be back before sundown,” I inform him. “Maybe sooner if Edmund kicks us out for not being his own flesh and blood.”

“Good luck. That vindictive jackass would keep you all night if he thought it would cause you anguish.”

He’s right. Edmund loves to be an inconvenience. I’m sure it’s one of the most pleasurable aspects of holding a public office, but having the honor of receiving two of the coven legacies just to kick them out moments after accepting his family’s share of magic might be too tantalizing to resist. Only time will tell.

“I’m going to see if Elsbeth is awake.”

“Who do you think will be happier to see one of us? Elsbeth or Edmund?”

“I don’t want to think of the two of them as the same in any capacity.” Fox pauses, tray in hand.

“Prude. He was a legacy once, don’t forget. The house would welcome him inside just as easily as one of us.” That reminder sends a chill down my spine. Not because Edmund has ever shown up unannounced, but if any of our parents did decide to test that theory, we would have a lot to answer for.

Fox doesn’t argue. Instead, he starts walking upstairs, mumbling under his breath about who the true prude is.

“Good luck,” I singsong after him as he disappears.

Asher enters the kitchen from the hallway. The sleep is still heavy in his eyes and he has not decided to hide away his bare chest the way Fox has. In fact, he looks like he’s just woken up on a tropical beach somewhere. He’s wearing a pair of fitted swim trunks that only go to his mid-thigh. The unforgiving hem stretches to its max over his thick muscles. His washboard abs erupt from the low-cut waistband like he’s an Abercrombie model. I hate how naturally he and Fox can put on muscle and keep it, while it takes counting macros and hours in the gym for me to look half as good as they do.

“Why does Fox need luck?” Asher grabs up two burritos and fits half of the first in his mouth before he sits down at the kitchen table.

“He’s taking Elsbeth breakfast,” I answer around my own large bite.

“Does he know she didn’t touch the food from last night?” I shrug. “He may have met his match with her.”

Potato and egg get caught in my throat. I cough and pound at my chest.