“It’s not like you need them.”
“First you ask me about Dire sex, and now you’re telling me I should spend all of my time naked. Should I be worried, Gage?”
“Don’t be worried. I’m asking for research purposes.”
“Research purposes.” She took a bite. “Uh huh.”
“Tell me.”
“Which part? Why I don’t run around naked?’
“Sure. Let’s start there.”
“First of all, do you know how bad sun burn or frost bite would feel on certain parts?”
“Can you get either of those?” I was genuinely curious.
“I don’t know for sure. Maybe. But anyway, I don’t enjoy having guys watch me all the time, even if they are part of the pack.”
“Fair enough. Now the sex.”
“Demanding, aren’t you?” She teased.
“I’ve been called that.” I polished off my steak in a few large chunks.
“I’ve only known Dire sex, so I might not be the best to ask.”
“Seriously? That’s all you’re giving me?”
“I guess you’re going to have to do your own research.” She leaned in close but then grabbed my plate. “And don’t get any ideas. I’m not interested.”
“Neither am I.”
“Then who were you asking your research question about? It can’t be Mary Anne.”
“For future reference.” Of course it was Mary Anne.
“Sure.” She brought the plates to the sink. “Get some rest. My guess is it’s going to be a wild night.”
“Don’t you need to sleep?”
“You need it more.”
“In other words, you don’t trust me.”
“Not entirely.” She stared me down. “Do you blame me?”
“No.” I returned to the couch. “Don’t forget to wake me up.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not doing this without you.”
I settled down on the couch and closed my eyes. It felt like only minutes, but it had probably been hours when I awoke to someone shaking me. I bolted up, grabbing the person by the neck.
“Fuck, Gage!”
“Oh. Marni. Sorry. It was instinct.” Had I almost choked her? How was I ever going to be in control enough to be with Mary Anne again? I had to find a way to control my instincts.
“Then get your instincts in check.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder.”
“Maybe call out my name next time.” I was never much of a morning person, and my difficulty waking up seemed to have followed me into my transformation.
“I was trying not to wake up the whole pack.”
“We probably did now, huh?”
“We should wait a few minutes just in case.”
“You think Chet is going to come check on you?”
“No. He’ll want to, but he knows how mad I get when he gets protective of me. I’ve spent years trying to show him I can take care of myself.”
“Can you? I mean was it smart of you to invite a newly turned Dire over?” It still seemed strange she’d have me over. And why was everyone else giving us so much space?
“No, that decision was reckless, but it was still the right one to make. Sometimes life requires a little bit of recklessness. Don’t you think?”
“Like driving through a snow storm.”
“That was pretty reckless.”
“And stupid. I’ll admit to that.” That was my biggest regret. If I’d only waited for the storm to pass or stopped at a hotel when Mary Anne asked me to.
“Try to rein some of those cowboy antics in for our sake.”
Cowboy? Not exactly. “Should I do that before or after we torch the witches?”
“After. Definitely after.” She grinned.
“Just checking.”
“Are you ready?”
“Ready? That’s an interesting term.”
“Do you want to do this?”
“Yes. We’re doing it.” I strode toward the front door. There was no backing down. I needed to do it.
“Let’s hope we both survive this.”
“Do you really have doubts?” With my new found strength I was feeling nearly invincible.
“A few.”
“Yet you’re still coming?”
“I told you, I hate Vanessa. Besides you have a better chance of surviving and not getting all of us in trouble if I come.”
“Fair enough.” I tried to play off some confidence that I didn’t have. I hadn't thought things through, but it wasn't the first time in my life that had happened.
We waited just outside the door for a moment to make sure no one heard us. I was doubtful we’d get away without being observed. Marni’s house was the furthest from the main house, but it wasn’t that far. Maybe everyone would think we’d gone for a run. Apparently new Dires were supposed to need to do that a lot.