Hidden Hallows

s.h.i.+t... I open my mouth to say something but he cuts me off with a hiss and says "I even ran off all the demons on the house! They were all over it like a bad case of herpes and you still didn"t remember my shark!?"

Kian chokes on a laugh but quickly hides it as he lifts his hand and says "We didn"t forget, see?" A small shark appears in his hands and Binx attacks. Before I even have the chance to utter a sound, Binx has the small shark in his mouth, dragging it through the house without another word. It"s almost bigger than him!

I glance over to Kian and say "Thanks... but... was that a real shark?" Kian chuckles and walks to the kitchen, putting on coffee as he says "Of course it was. If it was fake, he"d probably take my arm." I walk in behind him, still trying to understand.

I"ve seen him... summon things before but I never really questioned it until now. Where does the stuff come from? I lick my bottom lip and move closer when I start smelling the coffee and ask "How did you get it? Did you summon it out of the ocean or did you like... create it or something?"

For the first time since he"s come back, he bursts into true laughter. Confusion and irritation eat away at me as I smack him and say "I"m being serious! You literally pulled a small shark out of... I don"t even know! I want to know how!"

He reaches out and grabs both sides of my face before placing a kiss on the top of my head and saying "I stopped by the market while you and the Vampire were talking. I bought the shark from the market and brought it with me. I knew you"d forgotten when you started heading home and I knew how upset Binx would be so I grabbed it."

I suddenly feel like an idiot. I clear my throat and say "I see. Thank you... How much do I owe you?" His eyes twinkle with delight and humor as he says "You don"t owe me a thing, Eris Hallows. Not a d.a.m.n thing."

Suddenly, there"s a knock at the door. All humor and joy leave Kian"s face as he turns towards the door and says "Loverboy..." An uneasy feeling fills me and I think about acting like I"m not home but I know he knows I"m here.

I sigh and say "Just ignore him." I walk over to the door and unlock the door before opening it. Xander stands in the door with an awkward look on his face as the tow truck pulls up with my car. He backs into my driveway and dumps the black pile of twisted metal and gla.s.s before walking up to hand me papers.

I sign a few and take a few more before the guy leaves Xander and I standing on the porch. Xander looks to the car with worry before looking back to me and asking "Are you okay? What happened?"

I give him a dry look and say "As you can see, I"m perfectly fine. And the things happening in my life are no longer your concern." Xander clenches his jaw and runs his hands threw his hair as he turns to look at me and says "Listen, everything I"ve said and done was one hundred percent true. I didn"t play with you and I was being serious. I thought she left for good... I.. I"m sorry. I still care about you Eris and I don"t want to see you get hurt."

I turn to look at him and slowly nod as I say "I got it... thanks. You should really work things out between you two and for the record, I hope it works out. Truly." I turn to go back into the house but he reaches out and grabs my arm before saying "I don"t want things to just end like this. There was something between us and I know..."

Before he can finish his sentence, Kian slams the door open and says "Paws off, Loverboy." His eyes flash red in warning but all it does is fuel Xander"s Alpha side. Xander"s grip tightens and he tries to pull me to him as he says "This doesn"t concern you, Demon. This is a conversation between Eris and I."

Kian scoffs at him and says "Being that she"s my soulmate, I think it does concern me. Release her." Xander freezes before slowly releasing me with confusion. I pull my arm back and say "Good luck, Xander." I turn around and walk past Kian.

Kian and Xander continue to stare at each other in silence before Kian steps into the house and closes the door on Xander. The house locks the door making Kian smirk as I walk into the kitchen to pour us a cup of coffee but Kian has already done it.

I pick up my cup and take a sip. I smile and say "Just the way I like it." Kian walks into the kitchen and goes to say something when there"s a knock at the door again! What the h.e.l.l? Kian frowns and then says "Uh... kids?"

Kids? I place my cup down and walk to the door with confusion. When I open the door, four little girls stand in front of me, all dressed in girl scout clothes. They even have a tiny one with them! He stands in nothing but a baby blue s.h.i.+rt and diaper, with a pacifier in his mouth.

I look up to the street to see a woman in a minivan waving at me like it"s the most normal thing in the world. I have wards in place to keep things like this from happening... I awkwardly smile at them and say "Hi... what can I do for you, little ladies?"

They all giggle with delight as they say "We"re normally too scared to come to your house but when we saw you outside a little bit ago, you seemed really nice. Would you like some cookies?" I blink in confusion before saying "Sure... I"ll take two boxes of your best cookies."

They giggle again and say "You have to pay upfront." Oh. I smile and nod before turning around to look for money but Kian is standing right behind me with a smile on his handsome face. He rolls his wrist and hands me a twenty. I give him a grateful look before turning back to look at the girls.

I hand them the money as they say "You know, you"re really pretty." as another one asks "Can I touch your hair?" I awkwardly stand there and freeze. Why are they being so nice to me... normally kids are scared of me.

When I feel something wrap around my thigh, I look down to see the small one looking up at me with big baby blue eyes. He smiles up at me and even though the pacifier is still in his mouth, it can"t hide the large smile he"s currently hitting me with.

What is happening!?!?