“Sorry, Cassius.” Mason tossed a plate at Genesis, she caught it midair and placed it at the head of the table. “Backstreet Boys aren’t really the in thing anymore.”
“Fine.” Cassius rolled his eyes. “I’ll just go to the store and grab a few CD’s and why is everyone looking at me like I’ve lost my mind?”
Ethan shook his head. “You’ve been that busy? Unable to even turn on a TV? Do an Internet search? You have more money than the very country you live in, and you can’t afford cable?”
Cassius walked away from me and sat at the head of the table. Funny that he’d take his usual seat. I guessed he was still our King even if he was a bit under the weather. “When would I have time? With the Vampires fighting, the Werewolves hiding, the Demons whining…”
“I’d like to know who’s doing your job while you’re…” Mason tilted his head, and his lips pulled into a sneer. “Indisposed.”
Cassius flashed his teeth.
I’m not sure what he was trying to accomplish considering the minute he poked the bear—or in this case Werewolf—Mason flashed his fangs. Then Ethan felt the need to flash his, followed by my brother nearly glowing. Was it wrong that their reactions at least made things feel more normal?
I sat down and crossed my arms. “Let’s all just agree that Cassius needs this much-needed break to train me and learn the wonder that is the internet… and iTunes.”
“Yes he needs this much-needed break because he needs to fulfill his basic human needs.” Alex said in a smug tone.
“I know what iTunes is.” Cassius glowered in my direction, immediately changing the subject.
I tilted my head. “Oh, yeah?”
“Songs.”
“You’ll have to do better than that.”
“Songs that people…” He gulped. “Sing.”
Alex burst out laughing.
Cassius rolled his eyes and glanced out the window. The bird, the same damn bird appeared.
“Food!” He jumped out of his seat.
I quickly got to my feet and pushed him back down. “Sit.”
“But—”
“Uh…?” Alex raised his hand. “Why is Cassius bird watching?”
“He’s watching because he wants to eat it,” I explained.
Mason placed a salad in front of Cassius.
You’d think he’d just asked Cassius to tend to the garden and eat raw tomatoes. “What’s this?”
“Salad.” I scooted the dressing toward him.
“It’s green.”
“Hey, at least you’ve got your eyesight,” Ethan remarked.
“But the bird?” Cassius pointed behind him, “Why aren’t we eating meat?”
Mason looked heavenward. “I must have done something seriously awful to be cursed with a Dark One who suddenly wants food. He’ll eat everything!”
“He’s starving!” I pointed at Cassius. “Come on, fix him something good Mason. Salads are for girls.”
Genesis laughed and reached across the table to grab Cassius’s plate, but he was busy poking the tomato with a fork or trying to.
“It’s like watching a baby learn how to walk. Come on Cassius, you can do it!” Alex clapped behind him.
And earned a fork in the thigh.
“Shit!” Alex collapsed to the ground. “What the hell, I thought you weren’t a Dark One anymore.”
“So, I’ve lost my aim?” Cassius snorted. “Hardly. And next time you make fun of me I’m grabbing a knife.”
“Ethan has a gun case, the code is 1492.” Mason said in a cheerful voice.
Alex glared. “Thanks, Mason. Real helpful.”
“Please, it wouldn’t kill you.”
“It damn well wouldn’t tickle either, you bastard!” Alex shouted.
“Guys!” I held up my hands. “Do I need to order take-out, or do we have enough meat to feed…” I pointed to Cassius. “…this?”
“Not even a person anymore.” Alex cackled behind him. “How’s it feel?”
“About as good as a bullet between the eyes, Alex, care to experience it?”
Alex jerked the fork out of his thigh and tossed it in the sink. “Wash the blood off why don’t you, Mason?”
“I can’t concentrate with all the yelling.” Mason reached for his cell. “I say we go out to eat.”
“Yes!” Genesis stood. “We haven’t done a date night in weeks!”
Ethan reached for her hand and kissed it.
“Date night?” Cassius frowned. “A night with dates?”
I leaned forward and rested my forehead on the table. “It’s romantic.”
“Date night,” he repeated again.
I stood. “Whatever, let’s go somewhere close because Cassius is about five minutes away from molesting that bird.”
“I would never!” Cassius stood, outrage pouring over his face.
“Sarcasm.” Alex slapped him on the back. “You should try it, Dark One.”
Cassius jerked away from Alex. “I know what it is.”
“Clearly.” Alex nodded in mock understanding.
“The Lodge.” Mason grabbed his keys. “They always make room for us. Let’s go, kids… before Dad eats the family pet.”
“The bird is your pet?” Cassius looked horrified.
Alex sighed and whispered again, “Sarcasm.”
Cassius shoved past him then stopped in his tracks and turned. “Stephanie, will we be riding together?”
His eyes were hopeful.
What game was he playing?