You’re not helping yourself by trying to come on to my sister, he signed angrily. I don’t trust you.
Beezle translated this rather gleefully for Nathaniel, who looked puzzled.
“There is no need to remind me every second of the day that none of you trust me,” Nathaniel said icily. “I am well aware of your feelings on the matter.”
“And if we want to remind you of them, then you will just have to deal with it,” Jude said.
“You’re the one who came here seeking asylum,” I said.
“I came to protect you, as per Lord Lucifer’s orders,” Nathaniel said.
“Because it was the only option to save your life. If your own skin hadn’t been on the line, you never would have come back here,” I said.
“How can you be sure?” he asked.
My temper flared. “Look, you want consideration from the rest of us? Then stop playing games. Maybe if you stopped pretending to be enthralled with me and put your agenda on the table, everyone would stop threatening you every second of the day.”
“You give me no credit at all, do you?” Nathaniel said angrily.
“What’s it going to be?” I asked. I felt the flare of magic under my skin, but pushed it down. I was getting better at controlling my power, at keeping my abilities at bay when my emotions were unsteady.
Nathaniel stared at me from the other side of the table. I matched his stare beat for beat. Jude and Samiel flanked me, ready to lunge at my say-so.
After several moments he turned his head aside. “Have it your way.”
“That doesn’t really sound like a concession,” Beezle said, landing on my shoulder.
“Very well. I will admit to being interested in saving my own life. But I hardly think that is an unreasonable desire.”
I acknowledged this with a nod. “And?”
“And what?” Nathaniel challenged.
“And what else were you planning when you came here?”
“I intended you no harm, if that is what you are asking.”
“What do you intend?” Jude asked.
“To regain Lord Lucifer’s favor by protecting the most beloved child of his line,” Nathaniel replied.
“So you just want your status back,” Beezle said.
“If I admitted to anything further, I would be accused of falsely manipulating Madeline’s emotions,” Nathaniel said. “So, yes.”
The four of us exchanged silent glances. I could tell we’d all come to the same conclusion. He probably really was interested in regaining power, and as long as I didn’t interfere with that, I was probably safe. But if I ever got in his way… Well, let’s just say I didn’t buy Nathaniel’s protestations of affection.
“I guess I have bigger things to worry about than you stabbing me in the back, especially since every freaking faerie thing that ever was seems to be crawling out of the storybooks to kill me.”
“Does that mean you will permit me to stay?” Nathaniel asked.
“Yes,” I said.
He’s not sleeping up here, Samiel signed.
“I was going to put him in the basement.”
Samiel shook his head. He can stay with me. That way I can keep an eye on him.
“Won’t that cramp your style with Chloe?” I asked.
To my surprise, Samiel blushed. We’re not… I don’t know what Beezle told you…
“Ah,” I said. “She comes on pretty strong, huh?”
Yes, he replied, nodding fervently.
I tried and failed to smother a grin. It was so cute to see Samiel disconcerted by a punk-rock scientist half his size.
Don’t laugh or I’ll sic her on you next time she comes over, Samiel warned. She’s dying to see where the famous Madeline Black lives.
“Who’s laughing?” I said, attempting to school my face in lines of sobriety.
“So the angel will stay,” Jude said. “And so will I.”
“It’s going to be interesting trying to feed everyone around here on your non-salary,” Beezle said.
“Some of us might have to do without second helpings occasionally,” I replied.
“Some of us need to keep up our strength in order to fulfill our duties as home guardian,” Beezle replied loftily.
“The only thing I’ve seen you guarding lately is the popcorn bowl,” I said.
“Even the hardest-working gargoyle needs a break occasionally.”
“Or forever.”
Jude laid a hand on my shoulder. “I will return to the pack this night and speak with Wade. I will arrive back here tomorrow. With my own clothing.”
“Okay,” I said. I didn’t want to admit that I would be relieved that he wouldn’t be using Gabriel’s things.
“Bring food,” Beezle added.
“How dire is your situation?” Jude frowned.
“Very,” Beezle said at the same time that I said, “Not bad.”
He looked from Beezle to me. “Which is it?”
“It’s okay if it’s just me and Samiel eating,” I said. “But two more mouths would be a stretch.”
“What about me?” Beezle said.
“If you didn’t eat for the next year, you still wouldn’t be back at fighting weight,” I said.
“She’s trying to kill me,” Beezle said to the room at large. “An old gargoyle, one that has devoted the best years of his life to raising and protecting an ungrateful child…”