A.E. Kirk

“A whoosh and the lines of fire sucked back toward Ayden, flames disappearing into his hands. Back to normal.“Ayden’s the most visually effective,” Matthias said.A burning scent lingered but no damage to the “hottie” in front of me. I know, I know, but I couldn’t resist.”

“Why did Nicky call me the Baby Killer?" Kiara sniffled. "Because she is a bitch," Leontes said. Jaeger gave him a chastising look. "She's dead." "Dying did not make her any less of a bitch," Leontes replied.”

“He fanned his fingers and spider lines cracked the ice. Seconds later the tea boiled.“You control tea?”Jayden’s satisfied smile faltered. “No. I…I control water. The tea, the actual plant doesn’t change, however—” He caught my look and nodded. “Ohhh. You were being facetious.”“If that means joking, yes I was”

“Ayden and I clapped our hands over our ears when the shrieking started.“Yes. I can see that you’re enthused,” Jayden tried to speak over the girls’ squealing, “but you need—”Danica snatched the backstage passes from Jayden. “No way!”“Uh, yes. Way?” Jayden said.”

“Aurora!” Dad came running out.“Over here.”“We’re going to head home.” Dad leaned against a post at the bottom of the steps. “Hey, guys. What’re you talking about?”I smiled. “Just…girl stuff.”“Tampons,” Blake blurted.My jaw dropped. Dad’s eyes went wide. “Well, that’s…very…uh…” He backed a few steps. Glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll just…um…Gemma!” And he was sprinting toward the building.“Blake!” we all snapped.“Sorry, I panicked.”“Aurora,” Ayden said. “You’d better—before your mom—”“Yep.” I raced down the steps. “Dad, he was kidding!”

“Shouldn’t you be at your posts?” Jayden stepped up.Logan nodded.“Just talking about…girl stuff,” Tristan said.“Mascara,” Blake said.“What?” Tristan said.“Leaving.” Logan shoved the boys.Jayden leaned in. “There’s something the others wish to remain secret. But I think having the knowledge would be beneficial. You’re—”“Bait.” I didn’t bother to hide my grin.“Precisely, but don’t be alarmed because—” He jerked back. “You know?”“I do.”Jayden stared blankly, then patted my head. “Excellent.”

“I shot him daggers. Along with swords, scythes, scalpels, shivs, shanks, stilettos, and any other sharp weapon I could think of that began with an “s.”

“Blake hung an arm on my shoulders. “Alone at last.”“I’m right here,” Logan said.“Maybe you shouldn’t be.”

“the cross had slipped back onto my chest. I unclasped it and after wrapping the chain around the metal, tucked it into my bra”

“A cool hand touched my arm. I jerked back. “Don’t! You’ll burn!”“I’m used to it.” Ayden’s brown eyes twinkled. “In fact, I’ve been told I’m smokin’.” He held out a hand, his voice soft. “By an incredible redhead who I wish, for once, knew she could trust me.”

“I tucked the feather into my bra, then glanced up at the sudden heavy silence. “What?”Blake grinned. “What else you got in there? Can I see?”“Shut up, Blake!” said the rest of the boys.”

“Blake dug a hand into our popcorn.Jayden leaned forward. “Aurora, perhaps you can reconcile our debate. Is Hitchcock horror or suspense?”“Suspense,” Tristan said.“Horror,” Logan countered.“You thought Sleepless in Seattle was horror,” Tristan said. “All that lovey-dovey stuff gave you nightmares.”“Sad but true,” Jayden confirmed.”

“Your wit never ceases to underwhelm me.”

“This time, try to keep your hands to yourself,” Ayden whispered in my ear. “Your octopus routine could get a bit embarrassing with this crowd.”“Th—that’s not funny.”“Come on. It was a little funny. You’re smiling.”I buried my face in his chest so he couldn’t see he was right.“Now,” Blake said, “about those handcuffs. That’s just—”“Don’t say it,” Ayden warned.“Kinky.”

“Blake gave Selena a nudge "Remember what I taught you, itsy-bitsy-babe”

“Son of a—Rora?” Blake slid out of the crater he’d just made in the wall. “Crap. What are you doing here?” He saw my wrist. “Handcuffs? I definitely want that story.”

“We could finally put our seduction tactics to good use.” He danced around twirling a fire poker. “Me, me, me. I’ll do it. I’m so up for personal bodyguard boyfriend. This job has my name written all over it!”My immediate “No!” was echoed by the rest of the boys.“Babe.” Blake walked towards me with open arms. “It’ll be fun!”I scooted over the back of the couch.“Down boy.” Ayden shoved him off course.I shrugged and tried to look disappointed at Blake’s wounded expression. “You’re just too much man for me.”He nodded knowingly.”

“You’re sure? I thought I heard someone.”“Nope, not a soul,” Blake said. “Get it. Soul. Because we’re in a church.”

“Ourhunters come from a diversified set of beliefs, but work together toward one goal. And we’re the bestat what we do.”“But you guys were at the church.”Jayden shrugged. “Father Bancroft is an area leader, so the church is our base, but elsewhere itcould be a synagogue, mosque, Buddhist temple. Any holy place will do. We fight demons, not eachother.”

“I’ll take a shower.”“Want company?”“Enough, Blake.” Ayden stood and backhanded the big guy’s chest.“Just trying to do my Hexy Knight duty. How about we carpool tomorrow, babe? You could sit on my lap. I make a great seat belt.”“Shut up, Blake,” Ayden and I said in unison.”