“Coffee?” Mable called out from behind the counter when she saw us.
Gunner nodded. “We need a vat of it.”
“Coming right up.”
We were comfortably seated at the table when Mable delivered a huge carafe of coffee to keep us going after we finished our initial cups. “We have biscuits and gravy on special,” she said.
“I want that.” Enthused, Gunner rubbed his hands together. “Make it a double order.”
Mable cocked a speculative eyebrow. “Hungry? What have you guys been doing to work up such an appetite?”
Since I knew what she was insinuating since she wasn’t exactly coy when digging for information, I averted my gaze and focused on the street outside the window. “What’s the gossip from out there?”
Mable snorted. “It’s okay. I already know what you two have been doing. You’re not exactly stealthy. As for what’s going on out there, not much.” Her eyes narrowed. “Unless you know something we don’t know.”
Uh-oh. “I don’t know anything, Mable. I’m a void of information.”
“You’re not nearly as good at lying as you think you are either,” Mable noted. “But I’m not going to pressure you. That’s not my way.”
That was exactly her way. Thankfully, before she could change tactics, the front door of the diner opened to allow a trio of familiar faces entrance. I waved at Zoe to get her attention, and not just because I wanted to dissuade Mable from continuing her interrogation, and the mage nodded in greeting when she saw us.
“I think we’re going to be five now,” Gunner said, sliding to the left to make room for the family to join us.
“Hi!” Sami immediately moved to the spot he’d shifted to, forcing him back closer to me so she could take the spot. That left Zoe and Aric to sit next to me.
Gunner glanced at Aric, worry lining his forehead, but the put-upon father merely shook his head.
“Don’t make him uncomfortable, Sami,” Aric chided.
Sami was the picture of innocence. “Why would I do that?”
“Because you get your joy of torturing people from your mother,” Aric replied, smirking at his wife. “It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with her.”
Zoe let loose a disdainful snort. “Whatever. I don’t seem to remember you liking my penchant for irritating people back in the day.”
“Your memory isn’t what it used to be. That comes with age.”
Zoe scorched him with a furious look but his attention was already on the menu.
“They have biscuits and gravy, Sami,” Aric said, changing the subject.
“I want that.” Sami was all smiles, casting adoring looks at Gunner. “I’ll have a double order.”
“I’ll have the same,” Aric said, sliding his arm around Zoe’s shoulders. “You’d better stop looking at him that way, Sami. You’re going to be crushed if I have to kill him.”
Gunner looked more uncomfortable with Sami’s proximity than Aric’s threat. “Um ... it’s fine,” he said but the words were empty. He was clearly agitated at being the object of a young girl’s affection. Since Raisin had a similar crush on him, I was confused why he was so baffled. Of course, Raisin was nowhere near as overt as Sami. It all came down to confidence, and Sami had it in leaps and bounds.
Once everyone placed their orders and filled mugs with coffee, conversation turned to plans for the day.
“I think we should head out to the woods,” Zoe suggested, smirking when Sami leaned her head against Gunner’s arm. “Sami, stop trying to irritate your father. It’s not necessary today.”
Sami blanked her face, clearly mimicking an expression she’d seen her mother boast a time or two. “I’m not trying to irritate Dad. Besides, I’m not doing anything.” Her scowl was pronounced. “Why do you always accuse me of things I’m not guilty of?”
“Because that’s what keeps me young,” Zoe replied automatically. “I can’t help myself.”
“Well, it’s stupid.”
“Uh-huh.” Zoe shook her head and turned back to me, shrewd curiosity wrinkling her forehead. “Did you sleep?”
I thought about ignoring the question, or at least glossing over my answer, but ultimately, I couldn’t manage it. “The friend I told you about from the hill house, the one who took off right before it burned, she invaded our bedroom last night. Nothing happened,” I reassured her quickly when anger lit the mage’s blue eyes. “She just wanted to talk.”
“About what?” Zoe’s tone was cold. “Also, how did she get inside your home? Why aren’t you protected against things like that?”
“I thought I was. As for why she decided to visit, apparently she’s curious about you.”
If Zoe was bothered by the admission, she didn’t show it. “She sensed a power shift. Typical. She wants to know if I’m here for her.”
“I didn’t lie,” I explained, “but I didn’t volunteer information either. I tried to feel her out about things.”
“And?”
“If she has ties to the new vampires, she’s good at hiding it. She seems more focused on me, and you by default.”
“She probably thinks you called me in to help fight her.”
That was a possibility I hadn’t considered. “I don’t know what she wants. She claims I’ll see her coming when she decides to attack.”
“Which is probably true. She’s clearly an egomaniac. She’ll want to do a big song and dance when she decides to fight. Right now, it sounds like she’s putting a plan together and enjoying her freedom. She’s going to leave this mess to you. I wouldn’t worry about her attacking just yet. She needs to adjust.”
“Yeah, well...”
“We need to fix the wards on your cabin,” she added. “I’ll help you. We’ll make sure she can’t wander in whenever she wants.”
Gunner exhaled heavily, obviously relieved. “Thank you.”
Zoe smirked. “Did you think I would just sit back and leave her vulnerable?”
Gunner hesitated and then shrugged. “I’m honestly not sure what you’re capable of.”
“Fair point. We’ll figure it out. I promise.”
Nervous energy crowded my mind and when I glanced up, I found Brandon Masters, Gunner’s best friend and a recent vampire abductee, hanging close to the edge of the table. “Hey.” I flashed a genuine smile.
