44 Happy Birthday (2/2)

”You're late! You ask me to come here and dare arrive one hour late!” He snapped at Colin, his fingers rephrasing his complaints with a lot of rude gestures.

Colin didn't look unperturbed, rather he came up close to Ca.s.s and placed a kiss on his cheek.

_”Sorry Honey. I got caught up with some work out in the field.”_ He apologised with a tender stroke to Ca.s.s's cheek.

My eyes were blinking madly at the lovey dovey couple scene happening before me, trying to fit two and two together.

_”Famisto. Dat be Ca.s.s's husband.”_ War answered for me in my head.

Oh, s.h.i.+t. If Ca.s.s and Colin were married, that meant that Ca.s.s was the jealous wife Leinard had mentioned early.

”Um, I guess I better go tend the bar.” I quickly rose from my seat and hurried back to be behind the bar counter again.

I shoved Trix out of the serving area who was all too happy to get back to his ”happy hour” again and down drinks with the rest of his team.

”Break time over so soon?” Leinard smirked as he resumed his earlier seat before the bar.

”I met Colin's wife.” I shuddered, thinking back to the fierce magic Ca.s.s wielded when I was Charlese, and we were escaping Marlo's mansion.

”A beauty isn't he.” Leinard continued to smirk.

I frowned at his face, trying to determine what angle he was playing at. I noticed his eyes was a bit glazed over and lips were more relaxed than usual. Was he drunk?

”Yep!” Leinard answered with a hiccup.

He clumsily shuffled out of the seat and made his way around the bar. I yelped when he grabbed my waist and reeled me in.

”I heard, on good authority, today is your birthday. So, I'm giving you a gift.” Leinard whispered, blowing the stench of sweet-smelling liquor into my face.

”Trix. Man the bar.” Leinard ordered his brother, grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the bar area.

He led me past my brothers still seated on the lounge and ignoring my plea for help, and to a gla.s.s door in the corner of the book shelf walls, which had been hidden from view earlier.

We pa.s.sed through the doors and down a black-gold marble floor, white and brown paisley wallpaper hallway with silver floral scones and lamps lighting our way to a single black door at the end. The door s.h.i.+mmered with an oily light, making the bra.s.s k.n.o.b and silver keyhole obvious.

Leinard pulled out key and opened the door.

”Come on.” He swung the door wide to invite me inside.

I was in awe by the sight beyond the threshold.

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