“Jealous,” Edgar helped, clearly knowing whatever language Alek had used.
“Yes, yes, jeal-os.” Alek bobbed his head. “We pick. They no. We the best. Proof.”
“The tales of the Ivy heirs of the past all speak of her beauty and power…” Cedric put his hand on his chest. “They were correct. You are ravishing. A woman of experience, as well. I was expecting younger.” I tensed, then widened my eyes when he went a direction I didn’t expect. “This is a nice surprise. I look forward to your heightened sensual experience. It is said that a woman of your age is at her sexual peak, is it not?”
“Now. Aren’t you glad I stocked you up, miss?” Mr. Tom’s eyebrows rose and he zipped his eyes back and forth, as if to say, See? Two younger guys to take a turn in the sheets with. “They’ll have excellent stamina. You’ll be able to do away with all that online Dick-dating hoopla.”
“Oh my God, what is his malfunction?” I muttered, mortified.
“Time check,” Niamh said with a crooked smile. “Don’t be late on account of the hired help.”
“I’ll walk you,” Austin said, his hand touching down on the small of my back.
“Right. Well.” I smiled at the guys, trying to hide my embarrassment. “Mr. Tom will fix you something to eat and get you settled. We have plenty of room if you need a place to stay.”
Austin’s head snapped toward me, his gaze questioning.
“We…stay?” Alek asked.
Cedric turned to watch me exit.
“Yes, yes, she has some business to attend to.” Mr. Tom took up his position in the doorway after Austin and I had passed. “She’s very busy, as I said. She must not be delayed. Now, settle in and I will explain all the particulars. You need to know about her life leading up to this moment.”
His voice cut off as I stepped outside. Having forgotten a shawl, I wrapped my magic around me for warmth.
My magic. It still sounded so crazy, but in some ways it had already become second nature.
“What is with Mr. Tom?” I asked, taking Austin’s arm again. He chose a slower pace, more like a stroll, sauntering down the sidewalk toward town, where I would meet my date. “What is with those gargoyles just assuming they’d get laid?”
“Gargoyles are one of the more…promiscuous magical types, I think. You wouldn’t know it because of their…gruff nature, but they do like to get down with whoever is willing. The female of the species is quite rare, and she often cycles through males at her leisure until she finds someone she wants to mate. The someone she chooses might not be a gargoyle, but I’ve heard it usually is. They are drawn to strength and power, and some gargoyles have that in spades.”
“They’re not going to just assume, right?” Fear and uncertainty coiled within me. “There won’t be…consent concerns?”
His voice turned into a hard growl. “If they harm a hair on your head, Jacinta, I will rip them apart. Literally.”
“That’s all well and good, Austin, but that isn’t going to help me avoid a bad situation. I don’t want revenge; I want to not get hurt in the first place.”
He covered my hand with his. “You’re right. Sorry, I wasn’t thinking. No, from what I’ve heard, that won’t be an issue. Just be upfront and they should back down. You…could have your pick, though, if you wanted…practice.”
That last sentence sounded as if it had been dragged out of his mouth. As though he was as reluctant to talk about it as I was.
“Yeah, let’s not open that door for discussion,” I said, looking straight ahead. “I wish Mr. Tom wouldn’t.”
“That guy is such a trip. I always think I’m going to get used to him, and then he surprises me by upping the ante of weirdness. Edgar, too. It is…really unbelievable. That crew is honest-to-God the strangest group of people I have ever met in my entire life.”
I was laughing helplessly by the time we got to the little bistro on the main drag, an Italian restaurant I hadn’t been to yet but had heard was fantastic. He stopped by the door, waited for me to take my hand back, and then stepped back to give me more space.
“So,” he said, holding my gaze.
“So,” I responded, looking around the quiet street. Then I lifted my empty hands to—hug him, maybe? I wasn’t sure, but it didn’t matter because it made me realize something. “Damn it.” I looked back toward the house. “I was in such a hurry to get out of there that I forgot all my stuff. We’re supposed to split the bill. What time is it?”
He checked his watch, a large square of technology. “Five past eight. You’re late.”
“Dang it. Can you call Mr. Tom and tell him to bring it for me, please? With my phone, obviously.”