eyes at me. “Little thief, you can’t just go stealing crystal balls from succubi. It’s too dangerous.”
“I already told you there’s an easy way,” I remind him. “And it’s not your decision. I may be with you guys, but you do not get to boss me around.”
Smoke briefly shadows his eyes. “You sure about that?”
“Yep.” I reach for the door. “I’m making this decision for myself, because it’s my birthday and I wanna feel like a badass for a moment.”
“It’s your birthday?” Maxton and Asher say simultaneously, their eyes widening.
I nod, unsure why they’re so shocked. “Yeah. Well, from what I know. I probably have another birthday. But this is the day that I always believed I was born, and while I usually don’t really do anything for myself, I want to do this.”
Mostly because I’ve been feeling useless lately. Plus, them not telling me more about the curse is starting to drive me crazy. Clearly, despite everything that’s happened, they’re keeping secrets from me. And instead of chasing those secrets, I’m going to do something much more productive.
I crack my knuckles. “All right, it’s time to show you just how awesome of a thief I am.”
“Little thief …” Asher warns, stepping toward me. “Don’t do anything irrational.”
“This isn’t irrational. I know what I’m doing. And you’ll realize that in a few minutes.” With that, I spin around to leave, only to slam into a solid, metal woven chest.
“Shit. Are you okay?” Arrow asks, steadying me.
So much for being a badass.
Grimacing, I step back. “Yeah, I’m just peachy.”
He looks at me funnily. “What’re you doing?”
“I’m going to steal that crystal ball,” I inform him. Then I square my shoulders and lift my chin, preparing to make a grand exit. Or, well, try for a second time.
“Arrow, don’t let her leave,” Asher says to Arrow.
“No, Arrow, do let me leave,” I tell him, then move to swing around him.
Arrow hesitates, glancing at Asher, then steps in front of me.
My lips part in shock as I grind to a halt. “Hey, best friends are supposed to have each other’s backs.”
“Sorry,” Arrow murmurs, appearing torn. “But maybe we should talk about this first.”
My lips twitch in annoyance. “Nah, I’m just gonna do it.” I try to sidestep around him, but someone snags the back of my shirt and tugs me back. Asher, I’m assuming. “Let me go, genie dude,” I growl out.
But he only tows me backward until my back is aligned with his chest. “I will,” he says. “But before you go storming off out of here, we need to talk about this first and make a rational plan so no one gets hurt. Because if you get busted doing this, it’ll fall back on all of us.”
Shit. He’s right.
“Fine,” I give in. “But please let go of me.”
He releases the back of my shirt, and I take a step away from him.
Arrow offers me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry for stepping in front of you, Har, but I think Asher is right about this.”
“It’s fine,” I tell him. “Not that Asher is totally right, but I do get why you stopped me.”
“Oh, Asher is completely right,” Asher assures then finishes off the last of his drink.
“And apparently likes to refer to himself in third person,” I say, trading an amused look with Arrow.
Arrow grins, but then confusion floods his features as he scrolls over me. “Why are you wearing Asher’s shirt?”
“Um …” I fiddle with the hem of the shirt, looking at Asher, hoping he’ll chime in.
But all he does is smirk and say, “Yeah, little thief, why are you wearing my shirt?”
Silence trickles by.
“Well, this is fucking fun,” Maxton finally mumbles, folding his arms on top of the table while observing Asher, Arrow, and me. “Is it normal for everything to be so awkward?”
Asher chews on his bottom lip, glancing from me to his brother. “No, she brings it out in us.”
“Hey,” I protest. “I do not.”
They all just sort of stare at me.
“Fine,” I surrender. “Maybe I do. But if you want a break from it, I can just go get on with this stealing thing.” I inch to the side.
Asher gives me a tolerant look. “No one wants a break from it.”
“A break from what?” East strolls into the room, shuts the door, and then his gaze flicks between the four of us. “Why does everyone look so weirded out?” he asks curiously.
No one says anything at first.
“Because Harlynn’s wearing Asher’s shirt,” Maxton finally offers a reply.
East glances