Iron Master – Jennifer Ashley Page 0,62
roof and glanced over at the long ladder against the side of the house as though expecting Ben to be clinging to it. “Maybe he can fly,” Matt suggested. “Or teleport, like Uncle Stuart.”
Graham turned his scowl on Stuart. “Perfectly good ladder right there. Why didn’t you use it instead of scaring the shit out of us?”
“I wasn’t scared,” Kyle said confidently.
The ladder was spindly, resting on two narrow feet far, far below. A Shifter wouldn’t think anything of climbing it, but Reid shuddered.
“No thanks,” Reid said with feeling. “I wanted to make it without broken bones.”
Graham continued to scowl. He always had to growl to Reid about his teleporting—it was like a greeting ritual.
“Eric called me and told me some of the shit you went through,” Graham said. “So how did it feel to go home?”
“Weird. I haven’t had time to think about it.” Emotions clamored for Reid’s attention, but he pushed them aside. “I came to ask what you would do.” He filled in details of his discussion with Cian. “I’m interested in your opinion,” he said when he finished.
“Huh. I guess I’m flattered.” Graham paused to hammer a stout nail next to a bent one Matt had pounded into a piece of wood. “You want the truth? I’d bounce this Cian guy on his head until he told me everything he wasn’t telling me. Then I’d find whoever stole this whatsit, rip his limbs from his body, take the thing, and go home.” Amusement glinted his eyes. “Not what you wanted to hear, right?”
“Actually, it’s helpful. Refreshingly direct.”
“Yeah, well, that’s me. Direct. Eric can think a thing to death. Or have endless meetings about it.”
“Sometimes the problem has solved itself by the time all his meetings are finished,” Reid pointed out.
“True enough. Eric’s a crafty bastard. Anyway, want me to go with you and kick some Fae ass? Some Shifter ass too if necessary?”
“I’ll hold you in reserve,” Reid said. “Haven’t decided to go back, if I even can.”
Graham nodded, with a glance at Kyle and Matt. Dougal was desperately trying to explain that a piece of string wasn’t strong enough to hold heavy pieces of wood together.
“I get that,” Graham said. “Mate and cubs changes everything.” He pinned his gaze on Reid, the softness leaving it. “If Peigi hasn’t accepted the mate claim, it’s because she’s afraid you’ll vanish and leave her hurting and alone. Not because you’re a weird, fucked-up dark Fae shit.”
“Thanks,” Reid said. “That’s almost a compliment, coming from you.”
Graham huffed a laugh. “You’re not so bad.”
“Stop it,” Reid said, deadpan. “You’re starting to embarrass me.”
“All right, all right, I’ll shut the fuck up. Eric said Dylan’s coming to give you the third degree. Want backup?”
Reid shook his head. “It’s all right. I’m not afraid of Dylan.”
Graham’s eyes widened. “Just when I think I’ve figured you out, you say stupid shit like that. We’re all afraid of Dylan. Like and respect the guy, but damn, he scares even me.”
Stuart shrugged. “Maybe he doesn’t intimidate me because I’m not Shifter.”
“No, it’s because you’re ignorant and lack common sense. I’ll come anyway, because if he dicks with you, Peigi and Misty will be all over my ass for not protecting you.”
“I’m touched,” Reid said dryly.
“Touched in the head.” Graham tapped the side of his. “Do me a favor, climb down the ladder.”
Reid glanced at it and shuddered again. “That terrifies me. See ya, Graham.”
He picturing the ground in front of Graham’s back porch, and willed himself there. Reid broke into a grin at Graham’s frantic Son of a bitch, as he popped out of existence and reappeared on the back doorstep.
Stuart tried to talk Peigi out of accompanying him to see Dylan. Peigi and he had a loud argument about it, which Peigi decided to win.
“I’m not your mate yet,” she growled, halting on the road that led from Graham’s to their house. “I don’t have to obey you.” The day had clouded, and cold rain began to fall, dripping into Peigi’s eyes. “And anyway, I won’t have to obey as mate if I think you’re wrong. Mates don’t give orders. They give suggestions.”
“Not what I’ve heard,” Stuart said, folding his arms.
“Only because you talk to male Shifters. You think Nell does whatever Cormac tells her?”
She had him there. Stuart glared back at her, but she knew his irritation came from worry. He stood close to her, as he had when he’d kissed her—in front of this same house, Peigi noted. The Shifters inside were