“Should we really trip his animal, though? Wouldn’t it hurt his wolf?” Laura asked.
She and Avery hadn’t had much of a hand in any of this, but they were both well aware of what could and couldn’t be done.
Capiria nodded. “We can and we should. Not strip. Set free. We’ll separate his natures. The wolf to the wilds, and Tim to a totally mundane human existence.” She paused, considering. “I’ll have to do some research and perhaps consult a few other elders, but it can be done.”
Aiden nodded. “As head of the Sentinel Brotherhood, I decree that Timothée Brodeur is hereby sentenced to live out the remainder of his life single-natured. No magic and no power. Since his pack and his family abjured him, protocol is waived. They don’t need to be conferred.
“Agreed,” Luke replied. “But when we get back. Tomorrow we have an in spiritu demon to trap and kill.”
Josee kissed her sister’s furry nose and then got up from her side. “I’ll keep the bastard in ice until then. Maybe sissy and I will have a little fun with him.” She grinned. “Down in the basement.” Evangeline’s wolf barked, her tail wagging.
Gregory grinned at his girls. “As much as I’d love to see Tim squirm, I don’t trust he wouldn’t figure out a way to bargain with the demon. We’ll figure out something creative to do with him until our vigilantes return.”
Chapter Eight
Gabrielle’s dinged on the nightstand. She spared a look for Luke, but he was out cold. Unlocking her screen under the blanket, she read the text from Raven.
Gabs…
Meet me downstairs.
I have to talk to Moe.
Gabrielle texted back, careful not to let the harsh blue light or her clackety clack wake Luke.
R U nuts?
Aiden and Luke will string me up by my hair.
C’mon, Gabby. I need u. 4 back up.
Nope.
Please?
She was seriously starting to worry about Ray, but the girl was more sister than friend, and wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.
Wake up Tanya. She’s your partner in crime in this, not me.
I need U. Otherwise forfeit your BFF card.
U just want someone to hold your hand. U have Aiden for that.
Please?
Ugh. Only if Aiden comes too.
???
Because this is still a sentinel gig. If I have to get up for u, then he does, too.
Trust me, he gets UP just fine.
RAY!
Okay, okay. I’ll wake my wolf. You wake yours.
This isn’t a double date, Ray.
Meet u in ten.
Grrr.
Gabrielle sat up. Luke looked peaceful with his face half buried in his pillow. His dark hair stuck up in the worst bedhead, so much so she had to stifle a laugh.
Waking him didn’t seem fair. Not after the day he had. Still, his father’s epiphany and subsequent apology was worth the price of admission. Luke was funny and beautiful, even more so now that the shadow behind his eyes was gone. He was lighter. Smiled easier, and that smile finally reached his eyes.
Hell, Greg had even referred to her as his daughter-in-law. Everything considered, today was a win-win. Except, now she had to wake him from what was probably the first fully relaxed sleep he’d had since he hit puberty.
“Babe.” She shook him gently. “Wake up.”
Luke bolted to sitting, his eyes scanning for threats.
“Babe, it’s okay. It’s me.” She turned his face, so he looked at her. “Hi. Remember? Your mate and soon-to-be mother of your child?”
He exhaled. “Don’t do that, Gabs. I could have shifted on the fly and done some real damage.”
“Really.” She held out her palm, and a tiny tornado whirled across the flat of her hand. “I don’t think so, Bub. I’ve gotten pretty good at my shit.”
Luke yawned, raking a hand through his bedhead. “Why did you wake me? You okay?” His hand froze in his hair and his eyes jerked to her belly. “The baby!”
She chuckled softly. “I’m fine. The baby is fine. Raven texted. She needs to talk to Moe. She wanted me to go with her, but I said not unless you came with me.”
He yawned again, stretching. “Wow, I guess there’s hope for you, yet.”
She pulled the hair on his chest.
“Ow!’ He dropped his arms. “What was that for?”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, for the love of cheese! Seriously, Gabs? Look, your passion and your spontaneity are great, but sometimes you and Ray are too impetuous.” He shrugged. “You are, and I’m not sorry you’ve become the reasonable one.”
She laughed out loud at that. “Me?”
“Yes, you. You’re the one who stopped her from heading deeper into Moe’s head. You’re the one who chose to stun him instead of killing him on the beach. Reasonable.” He nodded. “Reasonable is good.”
“No, reasonable is boring. Reasonable is old.”
He pulled her on top of him, and ran his fingers over her bare spine to the small of her back. “Reasonable is smart. Raven may have all the book smarts in the world. She can quote demon lore chapter and verse and wow Alain with her knowledge of obscure texts, but you’re the one who kept her focused when it counted. Smart. Strategic. Those are qualities we look for when recruiting for the Brotherhood. An ability to think quickly and rationally under pressure.”
“You think I’d make a good sentinel?” She rested her chin on his chest.
Nodding, he brushed her blonde hair back from her face. “Yes, and
