as she scooted even closer to Stuart, and she boldly rested her head on his shoulder. She felt his abrupt intake of breath, and then the breath released slowly, as though Stuart instructed himself to remain still.
Peigi closed her eyes. The truck moved with the road, music trickling through the cool air, and she drifted to comfortable slumber, Stuart warm against her.
She jumped awake a long time later when the truck abruptly halted. Peigi snapped upright, ready for danger, but all was quiet, the radio off, dawn light seeping through the windows.
“We made it, kids,” Dimitri announced.
Peigi ran her hand through her mussed hair, feeling strangely empty, and realized Stuart was no longer at her side. He was already climbing out of the truck, springing down to the ground in front of a rambling and beautiful house.
Rose vines, devoid of blossoms at the moment, climbed over trellises and up the walls and draped over the porch. The porch itself was wide and inviting, with seats and a porch swing for lazing on a summer afternoon. Even in the winter, it would be a nice place to lounge in the sunshine.
Peigi had heard about this house. It was sentient, built on a ley line, for what purpose no one knew. Maybe the house hadn’t been sentient when built but had absorbed the magic streaming beneath it for so long it had become magical itself.
“Hey there.” Dimitri approached the porch steps. “Remember us?”
“Of course it remembers us.” Jaycee skipped up the steps, patted the porch railing fondly, and knocked on the solid front door. “Is Ben here?”
“He hasn’t answered my calls,” Stuart said, his deep voice cutting over Jaycee’s. “Don’t see his motorcycle either.”
Dimitri shrugged. “Ben comes and goes. As long as he left the refrigerator stocked …”
The front door suddenly opened without sound. No frightening noises—the door simply swung inward as though the latch had been jarred loose.
“It used to creak like a bad movie,” Dimitri said. “I guess it didn’t want to scare us today.”
Peigi’s bear hackles rose as she sensed the house’s aura, but Jaycee tripped inside without fear, calling out a greeting. Dimitri growled and hurried after her—female Shifters were supposed to let males go into a new place first, checking it for danger. Peigi had the feeling Jaycee only followed that rule when it suited her.
Peigi hung back, Stuart next to her. “Think it’s safe?” she murmured.
“No.” Stuart regarded the house warily. “We know it likes Shifters and Ben, but what about dokk alfar?”
“One way to find out.”
“I like your courage,” Stuart told her. “We might get answers if nothing else.” Peigi started forward, but Stuart clasped her elbow, tugging her close. “I’m glad you’re with me,” he said softly.
Peigi heated as his breath brushed her ear, her pulse banging sloppily. She fumbled for words in answer and came out with, “So I can protect you from the house?”
Stuart chuckled, his laugh tickling inside her ear. “Partly.”
He remained near, his lips parted as though he’d say more, then he closed his mouth, released her, and gestured them forward.
“Males are supposed to go first,” Peigi said lightly.
“Yes, so the males will be eaten first, and the wise females can run away.”
“That’s the idea.”
Stuart took her arm again. “How about we go in together?”
“If the door is wide enough,” Peigi said. “Bears are big.”
Stuart slid his dark gaze over her, taking his time. “I think you’re just right.”
If he kept on like this, Peigi would never be able to stand up, let alone walk through the door. Her knees were watery, and she pressed closer to him so she could stay upright. “Let’s do this.”
The front door remained open, welcoming. Or gaping like a mouth? Peigi drew a breath, exchanged a glance with Stuart, and then the two of them plunged through together.
They fit just fine, the old-fashioned doorway made to admit ladies with giant skirts without tearing delicate fabric.
Once inside, Stuart released her arm, to Peigi’s disappointment. She stepped away from him, pretending indifference, and took in the airy hall, the paneling and throw rugs, the slender-legged tables with silver knick-knacks. Elegant without being stuffy.
Behind them the front door swung slowly shut, settling into place with a quiet click.
“Not creepy or anything,” Stuart murmured.
“You’re a dark Fae,” Peigi said, trying to hide her nervousness. “Some people’s definition of creepy.”
“Some Shifters’ definition you mean.” Stuart moved past her and gazed up the massive staircase that wound through the center of the house. “Okay, and some hoch alfars’. We have