Page 15 of Druid Dreams

Stone just laughed. It started out low and then grew louder until it was a deep, hysterical, belly laugh. It’s caught us all off guard. All four of us were staring at him. I didn’t think I’d ever heard him laugh quite like that. It was as if he thought Vaughn was going mad. And it’s also a little scary, if I may say so. I could understand why he was laughing though. He told Vaughn tales of two creatures; one an unheard of supernatural cocktail and the second a possible myth. Vaughn’s like “yeah, they’re nice.” Anyway. I want to fucking meet her.

“You should call her,” I advised Vaughn as I sat in the chair to the left of him. I watched him for a moment before waggling my eyebrows. “She sounds like fun.”

“Jack said to wait until Sunday night.” He shrugged a shoulder again and I rolled my eyes. When did he ever listen to anyone? He barely even listened to what we said. If we told him not to call her he’d already have the phone to his ear, whispering sweet nothings to her. Fucking Fae.

“Call ‘er. Text ‘er. Send ‘er a fuckin note with the wind. Whatever ya do.” Palmer waved his hand at Vaughn. “I want ta meet ‘er.” Palmer surprised the shit out of me sometimes with his eager, scholarly mind. Like right now. He started connecting the dots. He didn’t want to meet her, he wanted to examine her. With her clothes on. He is such a bore.

Fucking hell. There went my dick, thinking for my brain again. It wasn’t wrong this time though. This time my dick was very, very right. Think away, good sir, think away. We’re gonna be meeting our mate soon. Right. I needed to stop talking to my dick before I meet her. Probably.

Vaughn sighed for the thirty-fifth time this morning. He looked to Briggs and Stone for answers and they nodded their heads in agreement with Palmer and me. He should call her. If she was part vampire then I doubted she slept. It’s not like he’d be waking her up. He’s just stalling. The puss. “Do it and stop being a bag of dicks!” I barely contained the shouted words, but I wasn’t mad. Quite the opposite actually. I grinned extra big at him, flashing my teeth, fangs, and dimples. He glared at me.

“Fine.” The word was clipped and dripping in sarcasm. It was like we’d twisted his arm or something. If he doesn’t want to call her then I will. He grumbled under his breath all the way to his room and came back with his cell. “I’ll text her first. Then, maybe, I’ll send a note with the wind.” He rolled his baby blue eyes at Palmer, who just smirked back at him. Palmer was a legit genius, but he was also a smart ass. He knew how to push each one of our buttons. I loved him for it, but I hated him when he pushed my own.

I got up from my chair to stand behind Vaughn, reading the texts from the number we assumed was her. I liked the elegant way her texts read and the fact that she didn’t misspell her words or shorten them. She said he should’ve kissed her this morning, and I damn well agreed. Even though I wasn’t there. I’d have kissed her. Probably done more. Forget probably. I definitely would have.

“Sloane?” By the Devil. Why had no one ever taught him how to pick up a woman? That’s just ridiculous. That single text nearly brought saddened tears to my eyes.

She texted back almost immediately, and I couldn’t decide if she knew it was coming or just had her phone in her hand. I scratched my chin while I debated with myself about it. That was an interesting thought to unpack later. I wouldn’t point it out yet.

Sloane: “Jack said you guys took care of Caplin. They took him to the drunk tank to sit for the day. I hope he didn’t get any shots off. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you before. I thought he was coming after me, not you.”

Vaughn: “Are you busy today? We need to talk about Caplin. I can meet you somewhere, but I’d rather not wait until Monday to talk about it. The offices at CBP are bugged.”

Oh gods. I groaned as I bit my knuckles. Why didn’t he thank her? Acknowledge her help. Make her feel useful. Oh right. He was fae. He didn’t thank anyone. I wondered if she knew that.

Sloane: “Not anymore. I had the whole facility swept last night. And no, I’m not busy today. Jack and I are having brunch then training. You guys can head over. Tell the nosey Vampire not to look through my phone though. And let the Shifter know that I won’t kill him unless I have to. (Winking emoji)”

Sloane: “13648 Reignwood Drive”

Vaughn: “(laughing emoji) I’ll let them know. See you in an hour?”

Sloane: “Sure. Hit the intercom when you get to the gate. Franklin will let you in. Park in the front by Jack’s car and follow the right side path to the back. The hounds will be waiting to escort you. They’re big, but very sweet.”

“Well, that’s troublesome.” I smirked to myself. “How would she know I was reading your texts?” That made me curious. Also, I was now wondering what was in her phone. Probably nudes. Godsdamnit. I hope so.

“I don’t know, but she said guys, so she knows that we’re all sitting here. And she said to stay away from her phone, so stay away from it, Novak.” He gave me a pointed look and I raised my hands in surrender. I didn’t want to piss her off, but I did want to see her nudes. Or, maybe just her nude. Actually, that would work best for me.

“Also, Briggs, she said she won’t kill you unless she has to. I haven’t the slightest clue what that means, but I think that was her way of trying to ease your nerves. Maybe leave the alpha posturing for another day.” Vaughn handed his phone to the guys to let them read the conversation, and another text came in. They bounced their gazes between each other and passed it back for Vaughn and I to read.

Sloane: “So nosey boys. Do you share everything?”

Oh, I fucking like her.

I was a shameless flirt. Some would even call me a player... but I definitely knew when a female was hitting on a male. Uhm, a group of males? I scratched the back of my neck and chuckled.

“I think we’ve met our match, guys.”

Sloane

Saturday Late Morning

“Jack,” I called out as I maneuvered through the chairs on my patio, “I want to be mad at you for giving him my number, but honestly, I’m not.”

Jack laughed low as he sat down. “Can you repeat that?”

“Seriously, Jack.” I glared at him. “I like him. His friends seem nice. Nosey, but nice. They’re on their way over.” Which freaked me out a bit. Jack and Grim were the only people who ever came to my house. I’d never invited other guests over. Except one. The fucking Druid.

Franklin arrived outside with food and beverages, seemingly ignoring us as we talked. He had a way of being so silent that sometimes I didn’t even notice him. Not in a “you’re my staff” sort of way, but more like he projected an “I didn’t want you to notice me so you won’t” sort of vibe. I often wondered if he was an assassin before my parents assigned him to me. I'd never asked him, but it would make sense. When I was thirteen he started teaching Jack and I how to use an array of weapons. He still corrects us when we practice with them.