Sorceress, Interrupted - By A. J. Menden Page 0,104

shocked but then gave him a tight squeeze in return.

“I was able to stop Dylan,” I said. “And his puppet master.”

“Who was it?” he asked.

“Just one of Kate’s crazy relatives,” I said. “You don’t have to worry about it.”

Wesley frowned. “Why not? If they’re powerful enough—”

“Zeus is taking care of it,” I explained. “She’s in detention, let’s say, and she won’t be getting out anytime soon.”

“We should still keep an eye out. I’ll go back to headquarters—”

“Dad, it’s okay,” I said, not even wanting him to hear my mom’s name. Just in case. “Trust me.” I was suddenly worried about the world. Weird.

He gave me another worrisome look. “Well, we need to get back home as soon as possible. Heroes’ work is never done. We need to check to see what other damage has been done by the Dragon’s people. Report in to Washington, tell them this scare is officially over. See if any progress has been made fixing those wounded by the media attacks, especially the Brothers of Power. Make sure the cultists we sent to jail actually make it there. And . . . I need to check on Emily.”

I nodded. “I understand. We’ll be there shortly.”

My father studied me. “You will?”

I shrugged. “Where else am I going to go?”

“From what you said before, I figured that after this was all wrapped up you’d head back to your bar, back to your little world of scaring information out of sorcerers.” His lips twitched into a smile.

“Yeah, well . . . that life was kind of interrupted,” I said. “And, maybe I’ll do that on odd days. You folks would be surprised the amount of dirt I can dig up for you,” I said. “But I might stick around a bit, too. After all, someone’s got to keep an eye on Cyrus.” I bumped him with my hip.

He bumped me back. “More like someone’s got to keep an eye on you.”

“You up for that?” I turned to look at him. “Because that’s probably a challenge that’ll last some time.”

He grinned. “Oh, hell yeah.” He leaned down and kissed me in a way that was completely inappropriate in front of my father.

Wesley closed his eyes. “I’m still here, you know.”

I just smiled.

Lainey rushed up. “We’ve got to go. Paul just took off—Mindy’s in labor.”

“It never stops around here, does it?” I said to Wesley. “There’s no vacation days from saving the world.”

“Afraid not,” my father said. “But we’re glad you’re with us. I’m glad you’re with us.”

I didn’t even pretend to hide the tears that filled my eyes.

As Wesley rushed off to accompany his wife, Cyrus glanced at me. “It’s insane to think that he’s a being that could destroy us all in an eyeblink.”

I nodded. “I know.”

“Are you going to say anything about it?”

“To him? Oh, hell no. Just in case my whack-job mother was actually right. And besides, he’s happy right now. I’d like to see that continue as long as possible.”

“What about Lainey? Paul? Shouldn’t we tell them? Don’t they have the right to know?”

“And chance them somehow letting something slip?” I shook my head. “It’s between me and you now. Well, and I guess Kate. We’re the world’s last line of defense against complete destruction.”

“The world is doomed,” Cyrus muttered.

I laughed. “This is one secret she knows to keep.”

“So . . . we’re sticking around to be heroes,” Cyrus mused. “Saving the common man and keeping an eye on the Reincarnist, all at your request.”

I fought back amused annoyance. “Looks like it.”

“Well, I hope we take an occasional vacation to go play dark mistress of magic and her handsome boy toy. The patrons of your bar would never forgive you if you just vanished.”

I snorted. “Well, then, I suppose we must indulge them.”

“Oh, yes, we definitely must indulge. I want my opportunity to play handsome boy toy.”

“Fine,” I said. “And I don’t see why we couldn’t arrange for a visit with a certain softball player. I think between the two of us we have enough magical resources available to keep it quiet.”

He stared at me in wonder. “Are you serious?”

I nodded. “She needs to know her father’s a hero. Fathers are important.”

He hugged me tight. “Thank you.”

I hugged him back. “We’re in this together now.”

He nodded. “You and me. Forever.”

I pressed against him and leaned in for a kiss. “I like the sound of that.”

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Table of Contents

Cover

Title

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven