of that. “Ivy House took your side, by the way. When I was mad.”
“Oh yeah?” He pulled out the seat Sebastian had been using so I could sit down. It was my regular seat. Sebastian would have to understand. Surprisingly, Austin took the one next to it.
“Yeah. She says she really needs you, which apparently means you can get away with almost anything. I mean…she said I should beat the crap out of you, but that I need to forgive you in the end.”
“That’s a comfort. Do you want to let everyone back in?”
“Oh yeah, sorry. Are you…?” I nodded at the chair.
“Taking the rest of the night off. I need to catch up with an old friend. I might even get to slip in a smile or two. After what I did to that guy with the terrible haircut and all his friends, I’ll get a few days’ leeway before someone else acts the fool.”
It was clear he hadn’t processed everything. He was trying not to think about what had happened, but I knew he’d turn a corner at some point and find himself in that dark place. The best thing I could do for him now was stay by his side and help make that transition as easy as possible. Because, honestly, that had been crazy. I’d never seen Austin react like that, like some kind of movie villain. And yet…I hadn’t been afraid for one moment, not for myself and not for the people tucked into the other room. I’d only worried about the man hanging from his vise grip.
No, that wasn’t quite true. I’d mostly been worried about Austin, and how far into the shadows he’d charged.
I had caused him to do that. I had to own that. He’d only lost control when the conversation had turned to me. I’d caused it, and I would help fix it.
Niamh was the first to stomp back into the room, her glass empty and her expression closed down in irritation. “What took yis? Stop playing with your food, Austin Steele, or do it somewhere else. I’m choking with thirst!”
Sebastian drifted in slowly with his hands in his pockets, slightly bowed, his hair still sticking up all over, and his gaze rooted to Austin.
“I want to thank you,” he said when he got within range. “I haven’t felt proper fear in a very long time. I was a little afraid when I saw all the fierce muscle in the bar, just knowing what could happen, but seeing it…” He shook his head, then shivered. “Thank you for reminding me what it’s like.”
“He’ll fit in with Ivy House at least,” Austin murmured, turning away as Donna bustled in behind the bar.
“What can I get ya, alpha?” she chirped, as though nothing had happened.
Everyone else filed in from outside, and I was surprised when there was even less room in the bar than before. I’d expected people to go home in fear or boredom. From the looks of it, they’d called their friends.
After Austin ordered a round for everyone on the house, I reached in my back pocket and pulled out a bent invitation Mr. Tom had given me a couple of hours before. It had come by courier, apparently, something I’d totally missed in the midst of my twelfth attempt to explain my newfound magic to Jimmy.
“Okay, let’s get down to business. Two things…” I pointed at Sebastian. “Are you up to speed regarding Ivy House and my role there?”
“Not your role, but Niamh did tell me about your introduction to magic,” he answered.
“Yeah, I don’t even really know much about my role. I’ve been avoiding it. Good call. Okay, so I’d like to beg your help in training, because I need to get ready for this.” I straightened the thick, smoky-colored card stock. “For the first time, an interested party isn’t planning on attacking. They are, instead, formally inviting me and my people to a weekend at their estate. Apparently he wants to…get to know me.”
“Form an alliance, maybe?” Niamh asked, peering over. “Did he say how he heard of ye?”
“No, no information. Just a meet-and-greet situation.” I shrugged. “To get to know me,” I repeated. “It’s a chance at a friendship, maybe. Or at least make a connection. Maybe I can get my foot in the door with mages.”
Sebastian leaned forward, peering over my shoulder at the swirling font. “Domino Kinsella would stab his granny in the back if she had something he wanted.”
Eight
“If something goes wrong, or his