Fourteen

Walking into the kitchen, I find Graham and Mason sitting at the table with the food waiting in front of them, while Shay licks his chops eyeing one of the stakes on the table. He will steal it the moment nobody looks and runs along.

" Finally. I'm starving, " Graham sighs and opens a beer, while Mason clings to his glass of bourbon.

" That makes two of us," I retort and slide into a seat next to Mason.

" What no barley tonight?" I mockingly gasp, " Have I evolved from a horse to an actual human being?" Graham laughs, and Mason frowns looking between us.

" Mock me all you want but it did its job. Otherwise, you would have crawled on the floor with unbearable aches and pains for weeks. I should deserve a medal, not be mocked," Graham throws back with a playful scowl.

Mason chuckles and takes a swig of bourbon, " Barley, huh? I can't believe you're still using that old trick to get your kick out of it," Graham rolls his eyes, and I throw a piece of carrot at Graham. The bastard catches it before it hits him and pops it in his mouth.

" No wasting food," He chides," I forgot that you are here," His lips twitch with a grimace and looks at Mason.

" Don't be a pain in my ass Velindre. You're lucky that I'm out of commission," Mason quips and Graham chuckles.

" I can't wait, old man," Graham challenges and I feel exactly the same. I've seen a fraction of Graham's fighting skills. I'm wondering what Mason can do.

" Give me a week or so," Mason smirks between mouthfuls, and Graham laughs.

It's a new dynamic and a side of Mason I haven't seen before. He is all smiles and relaxed. In his element and I'm so out of mine that I'm afraid I'll get lost.

" So, other than bumping uglies with this one," Graham tilts his chin up at me," What else you've been up to?" He takes a mouthful and chews slowly.

Mason clears his throat, and his amused, and relaxed disposition fades and vanishes faster than it appeared, " First off, this one has a name. I know you take it lightly but I don't, "Graham's brows rise to his hairline, and swallows," I wouldn't exactly call it bumping uglies, because it would require for either of us to be ugly and she is a vision," Mason smirks and Graham nods.

" You do know how to suck the fun out of everything," Graham casually remarks and Mason hums.

" Fair point. I misjudged the situation," Graham takes a swig out of his beer," Apologies," He doesn't seem apologetic, as his gaze strays to mine. He is doing it on purpose. To rattle Mason. He is doing it for me and my pity committee.

Mason nods, " It's not me you should apologise to. I don't give a toss of what you think," Mason says a bit coldly, and Graham nods, and apologises to me. I didn't feel offended, because I know Graham can be blunt.

" Forgiven and Forgotten," I smirk and Graham laughs.

Silence settles as everyone digs into their food. Shay scuttles next to me and counts every single bite I take. After a while, I give in and offer him a share of my food and when I'm done, I give Shay the plate to lick. Who needs a dishwasher when you have a Shay?

" He likes you," Mason leans in and whispers, " Shay doesn't like anyone apart from Graham, " He leans back in his chair," In fact, I think Shay is the only living, breathing creature in the seventeen Districts that likes Graham, " Mason says a bit louder, and Graham smirks.

" At least he won't leave me for another when I'll be bald and wrinkly," Graham jabs back.

" How old do you think I am?" Mason chuckles, running his tongue over his front teeth.

" If I would have to guess at least fifty-something. I don't understand what Lily sees in you when clearly there are far better choices," Graham thumbs his chest and Mason laughs.

" I have a magical dog fox cat thing. What do you have?" Graham is bold. Bolder than I've seen anyone be around Mason.

" I would tell you but it's one of those things that you have to see for yourself to believe it" They both start laughing and I'm pretty sure that Mason was speaking about the creature that lives in his pants.

Once again I find myself bathing in sweltering heat, parched and in desperate need of fresh air.

I can't resist, and begin fanning myself and thoughts of Mason naked take over any sensible thought I had left a few seconds ago. Images of us pop inside my head, and even though it has been a while since we've been together like that, my body seems to remember him perfectly fine.

" You're glowing," Graham says, and I blink confused.

" Visidri asmerat," Mason says under his breath and the room radiates with blinding with light.

" You're drawing more than I can channel," Mason says a little alarmed, and I don't know what to do to make it stop.

" How do I stop it?" I ask quietly as more pours into me, and I hear Mason grunting next to me but I'm having a hard time seeing anything.

" She is going to level the building," I hear Graham's voice from somewhere, and panic rises inside me at that thought. And that makes it so much worse.

The loud ringing in my ears drowns out everything else, even though I know Mason and Graham are speaking to me. I see Shay curl up in my lap and we both disappear.