Wait, what? Kit was getting a tattoo from Austin? When did that happen? Lucky prick. Kind of made me wish I had a more hands-on skill…
The prick in question was leaning against the side of the building, his gaze glued to Kit like she was the last woman on earth. It was only a matter of time before those two got over their issues, and then I’d have to share her time with him too.
He’s lucky I love him like a fucking brother.
“Girls, move it,” he called out, and I saw Kit roll her eyes dramatically to Lucy.
“Hey, Austin!” Lucy yelled back at him with a teasing grin on her face. “Eat a—”
Whatever the end of that sentence was, it was lost in high-pitched ringing as the vision faded out and I blinked my eyes rapidly against the dark spots.
Okay, back in the stairwell.
My hands ran a quick search and found all my body parts exactly where they were meant to be, and I was still leaning against the wall.
Thank god for small mercies, that I hadn’t collapsed and rolled down the stairs when... whatever that was just happened.
Given my history with strangely prophetic dreams, seeing visions of things that were happening elsewhere wasn’t a total shock. But it was definitely an advancement. I’d never experienced anything like that while awake before, so it was something I definitely needed to make notes on and monitor.
There was no sense in worrying Kit if this was just stress-induced hallucinations... right?
20
KIT
That evening, after trying and failing to get any answers of substance out of the twins regarding their newfound Mage abilities, I was thoroughly pissed off.
“Just ease off them” River murmured, following me through to the kitchen when I was ready to pitch a fucking fit. “They are under no obligation to share their knowledge with us, so just give them time. They’ll share when they’re ready.”
I scowled at him and turned my back to brew a new pot of coffee. River telling me to back down was only annoying me even more than Caleb and Austin’s silence, so I was relieved when he left the kitchen once more.
“Hey.” Austin’s voice made me jump and almost drop the coffee I was pouring for myself after having stood there waiting for it to brew. “Isn’t it a bit late to be drinking coffee?”
“Have we met?” I responded in a snarky tone. He knew me better, though. We’d all but lived together for going on four months now, and my coffee addiction knew no time constraints.
“Good point,” he grunted. “Time to pay up, Princess.”
“Uh... what?” I stuttered, sounding like I’d just lost my brain.
“No time like the present, and I grabbed all my tools from Yoshi’s shop while we were there.” He looked at me expectantly, and I shook my head slowly.
“Um, but you haven’t really had time to think about what or where or...” I trailed off, my mouth going dry, and he gave me an unsympathetic stare.
“Quit stalling, Princess. You made a bet with a Mage. You do not want to find out the consequences of reneging on it.” He shuddered dramatically, and I chewed my lip. How the hell would I know what the consequences were? He and Caleb had given us zero answers when pressed. Did I really want to test it though? Probably not. At least I knew he was talented...
“Okay fine. Where?” I clutched my coffee cup tightly, trying not to let my nerves show.
“Dining table. I need the flat surface so you’re not moving around too much.” He jerked his head at the dining area, and I saw it was already set up with what looked like everything he might need. Not that I would know.
“I meant, where on me? Because I swear if you try to tattoo something stupid on my ass, I will kick your ass.” I tried to give him my best don’t fuck with me glare but had no doubt my nerves were showing through. What I was so afraid of, I had no idea. I wanted a tattoo, and Austin’s work was stunning, but for some reason my heart was racing and my palms had broken out in a sweat.
“Just shut up and get your cute butt onto the table,” Austin ordered. “The guys have all fucked off to give me quiet while I work, so you’ve got no one to save you. Besides, the last thing you want is for me to get distracted and write property of Austin King on you or something.”
A little speechless, mainly because he’d just called my butt cute, I did as I was told and followed him through to the table. All the while, I prayed that had been a joke. I’d have to be physically tortured before I’d willingly become property of Austin King.
“Up here.” He patted the towel laid out on the length of the table. “On your back.”
I nervously did as instructed and looked up at him leaning over me. “Where are you putting it?”
He quirked a brow, and I half expected him to make a dirty joke, but he just rolled his eyes and scooped a hand under my head, lifting it and sliding a pillow under.
“Comfy?” he asked, dragging over a barstool that put him level with my body.
“Do you care?” I replied, and he snorted, shaking his head.
“Don’t get snippy at me because you lost the bet, Princess.” He lifted my shirt up and tucked it into my bra with professional hands, exposing my abdomen.
“I know you cheated,” I sulked. “Somehow.”
“Oh yeah?” The corner of his sexy mouth lifted in a half smile. “Prove it.”
Ugh, I fucking knew it! Of course magic-Austin was an even bigger pain in the ass than human-Austin.
He smoothed a hand over the skin of my side, just below the curve of my waist and over my hip to the waistband of my yoga pants. Despite my strongest willpower, my skin tingled at the touch and gooseflesh broke out all over me.
“These need to be lower,” he advised, tugging the top of my pants down and folding them over until they were dangerously low. Seemingly satisfied with the canvas, Austin turned his attention to preparing his little tattoo gun and countless pots of colored inks while I watched in silence.
“Um, don’t you need to like... put down a stencil or something first?” I asked nervously when he looked pretty much ready to roll and had turned the power on to his gun.
“Christina, do I come on jewel thefts and tell you how to do your job?” He gave me a vexed look, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Yes, I imagine you would.” I glared at him, and he just stared back at me, his green eyes unamused. “Fine, whatever. Draw a dick, I don’t care.”
“Good, that’s exactly what I was planning.” He said it without the faintest trace of amusement, and it made me worried. “Can we keep quiet for a bit? Just while I get the outline done, and then you can chatter to your heart’s content.” He paused. “Actually, I take that back. I really don’t want to hear all about your multitude of boyfriends right now.”
“Why? Jealous?” I had no idea why I just felt the need to say that, but out it came.
“Christina,” he sighed. “You can either shut up and get a nice tattoo. Or you can yap and get a cartoon dick on your skin. Your choice.”