Page 114 of Tethered Fates

Seeing the familiar name, I answer with a sly, “Hello there, Detective Kate Donovan.”

“Sen,” she replies as if I’ve already annoyed her.

“How are things at the station?”

“Well, all the zombies and Emma vanished.”

My grin widens at the clear frustration in her voice. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”

Grey and Astra were kind enough to clean up that mess.

“How are those compelled officers?” Since Luc got Golden back, he’s been teaching his mate how to control his talent. He surprised us all and horrified himself when he managed to compel Luc. Though it only stuck for a few seconds, giving Golden enough time to overthink and swear off the whole thing.

“Slack-jawed and stupid,” Kate answers. “So the same as before.”

I laugh. “Good to hear.”

“And that soulmate of yours?”

I lean against the door, breathing in the scent just behind it. “Good.”

Kate huffs out a long breath. “I think I’m done with the supernatural for now.”

“I can always make you forget,” I tease.

“Don’t even try it,” she shoots back.

Sobering, I tell her, “Thank you for all you did, Kate.”

She pauses. “Are you leaving?”

I push open the door to find Teagan pinning Elio down, who looks both annoyed and delighted. “Yes. Soon.”

There’s a long beat of silence on the other end. Long enough that if not for the subtle uptick of the Detective’s breathing, I might’ve assumed she hung up. “I’ll be seeing you then, Sen.”

“Goodbye, detective,” I tell Kate, unsure if we’ll ever meet again and slip my phone back into my pocket. “A pile of pretty boys? Is it my birthday?”

“Maybe.” Teagan blinks at Elio. “You up for it?”

Elio rolls off the bed, then jumps to his feet. “You’re both so annoying,” he grumbles as he storms out, his cheeks a cute shade of pink.

Teagan sits up, grinning, and I hand him his drink.

He downs it, sets it on the table, then grabs my shirt and pulls me down for a kiss. “Hey, slick.”

My heart lifts, the back of my eyes burn. I nearly lost this. Nearly lost him.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I kneel before him, kissing the insides of his wrist. “We think Summer got her wish; she’s in the demon realm.”

“At least I’m not tethered to her anymore,” Teagan replies with great relief.

I rest my head in his lap, his fingers carding through my hair, and for a long time we rest together. Finally, no one is chasing us or hurting us. As the cool breeze filters through the open windows, fluttering the sheer drapes, I find peace beside my Teagan. Comfort. Love. So much love that even the sun cannot match in how much I bask in it.

“Do you think I’m strong enough to jump out the window?”

It doesn’t last, and I love that we can have both.

“I do not,” I say, chuckling as I stand. “But I am. Climb onto my back.”