Gael has always been an outcast and a weirdo - but when he moves to the small town of Imperium, he finds himself in the middle of a supernatural community, he didn't know he needed, or existed. It only becomes more interesting when the local hot vam...
"I never asked Abel what happened if you entered uninvited," I said then, trying to recover from the snort.
Might as well have been a were-pig.
"We burn from the inside. Slowly. I won't feel it for the first few seconds but then my skin will be covered in blisters, my tongue and eyes will melt until everything has melted to my bare bones. It won't kill me, but bones don't hold together without muscles and flesh. All of that will disappear. My bones will have to be put in a coffin until my body regenerates. Takes a couple of days." She said it all in this light tone, as if we were sharing recipes or shopping lists. She made it sound so mundane.
And I was just staring at her.
"Yeah, Mum, thanks for that vivid description. Could've just said we'd almost die or something that doesn't make us sound like total freaks," Abel said and rolled his eyes. I slipped my fingers in between his, giving his hand a squeeze.
"You've seen me tear my own skin off to shapeshift into a massive wolf, Abel. I think I can handle this."
He fought the smile, but it won, and the one dimple was digging into his cheek.
"Oh lord, you've been standing out there in this weather," Maura said, huffing and puffing as she came speed-walking to the front door. "I'm so sorry, come in, come in."
Nin just smiled that regal smile of hers and stepped over the threshold.
"Oh Gael, honey, that cast. That damned cast. When's it coming off?" Maura asked as she rushed us into the living room, leaving us there on the sofa, and quickly returning with a coffee pot and some mugs on a tray.
"It shouldn't be much longer," I said and stuck a finger in it, scratching the skin hiding underneath.
"That's good to hear." She nodded and sat down in her chair. "Now, you've also brought a guest." She looked to Nin.
"I am Abel's mother. Nin. We have met before, but you and the children were so young," she said and made a bow with her head.
"Oh right, yes. Welcome to our small town. Your son has become quite dear not just to my child, but to my whole family and this small community."
Nin smiled, looking proud. "He has always been community minded. Much more than I have. He has taught me a lesson with this community. It's sacred. It must be protected. Even from itself. Whatever weight I can throw around here, I will do it."
Maura widened her eyes a little. "It is always good to have community elders speaking."
"I reckon it is. Especially elders who have been around for a while."
"That's an understatement," Abel muttered, sending his mum a look.
She only sent him one back, clearly looking for him to say one more word. Daring him to say another word.
He didn't. He rolled his eyes, his irises changing size in the process.
I wasn't gonna say anything. I knew better than to comment on something between a parent and their kid.
"We appreciate the support," Maura said, cutting through the awkwardness. She poured Nin a cup of coffee and handed it to her. She smiled gratefully and took a sip.
"My son sends me texts. I'm bad at replying, as I do not enjoy cellular phones. I like conversations. But he told me of his wolf, and I adore love. Especially when my child experiences it. I don't take kindly to anything interfering in his happiness. So, this is for him and Gael." She looked very serious. "Just tell me what I can do, and I will do it."
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"Your mum was very serious," I noted after we had dropped her off at Abel's house to stay.
"You think?" He glanced at me from the driver's seat.
"You don't?"
"No. But I've heard that before. I think it's because she has a bit of a resting bitch face. But she's not serious. She's quite warm when you get to know her. She's just subtle."
"Subtle," I murmured.
Abel swung in at my house, parking in front of it. I wish I had a parking space, but then I'd have to take parts of the garden. And I didn't want that. I loved my little garden.
"I promise, she likes you," Abel said as he took the key out of the ignition. "Otherwise, she would've said so. To your face too. She's not afraid of conflict."
"That's pretty admirable," I said and stepped out of the car, meeting Abel's gaze over the roof. "I hate conflict. I don't think I could ever tell a person straight to their face, I didn't like them. I'd just quietly distance myself from them."
"Such a bitch move."
"Hey," I said with a grin bubbling through.
"I'm not afraid of conflict either." He winked at me. He was such a dork and looked like a dork when he winked like a dork.
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