Magical Midlife Battle （Leveling Up, #8）(119)

“Wait, I thought you said Kingsley’s people need more work.”

“They do. I was with our people. They’re ready. They have the lay of the land, they know all the ways across the river, and they’re in excellent shape. They’re ready.”

“Ah gotcha. I thought you were going out with Kingsley’s people this morning.”

“Tomorrow—if there’s time tomorrow.”

He meant if we weren’t attacked, and I didn’t tell him about my gut feeling. I was no oracle.

“Are you planning on being fashionably late?” I asked when he didn’t peel himself off the bed and head toward the shower.

“Yes. Want to make us later? Take those clothes off again and come sit on me.”

“You should’ve been back in time to meet me in the shower. I’m going to go check on Sebastian.”

He was in the backyard, sitting on a tree stump with his head in his hands. His various camping stoves were spread out in front of him.

“You okay, buddy?” I asked him, walking up and putting my hand on his shoulder.

He patted my hand before resting his head back into his hands. “I’m okay. I don’t want to go to the barbecue.”

“You would prefer for Patty to make a special trip to come and get you?”

He sighed. “I’m getting a bad feeling, Jessie.” He looked up at me with bloodshot eyes. “We’re missing something. Something big. I don’t know what it is, though. If they do the small shield-bubble things, we’re ready. I have something that should almost certainly work. If they try for the huge shield, we shouldn’t have a problem interrupting that. Individual spells? Got it covered. We have a crapload of potions to protect our most vulnerable for a few hours while we get the ground crew out of the way. It should be enough. Numbers? We should have plenty. Maybe more than them if we count the garhettes, and I got word from Nessa a bit ago that all but one of the guns work. Potions for the fliers to use on the mages? Big stockpile. If I look at this logically, we’re okay. Better than okay. We just need to show up like you’ve been training, and we should be fine.”

I crouched down beside him, butterflies filling my stomach.

“But…” I said, looking at his camping equipment turned potion kitchen.

“But I cannot shake the feeling that they have something that will turn the tides and we won’t be able to combat it.”

The butterflies donned razor-tipped wings and slashed through my middle. My own disquiet grew, my chest feeling heavy. Because my gut told me we were both right. Momar’s people were taking their sweet time to get ready, and they also thought they had what it took to win.

I stood and patted him again. “Why don’t you go get ready? Have a bunch of drinks tonight and sleep.”

“I don’t work well hungover.”

“I can cure you if it’s needed.”

His head snapped up this time, his gaze finding mine again. He studied me for a long moment, reading me, before nodding. I had no idea what he’d seen.

“If you think of anything…” he told me, leaving it hanging.

What would I possibly think of? I wasn’t the brains of this operation.

A knock sounded at the door as I wandered into the kitchen. After a pause with no one entering of their own volition, I headed that way. Broken Sue waited on the other side, dressed casually but looking crisp.

“Hey.” I stepped back so he could enter. “How’s everyone getting around without cars?”

“The alpha purchased some used vehicles from the border towns. They aren’t pretty, but they run.”

“Oh.” I gestured him in, my brow furrowed. “I hadn’t heard.”

“You don’t need one.”

“I suppose not. Does yours play Bruce Springsteen on repeat?”

“No.” He walked down the hallway toward the kitchen. “Mariah Carey. We can’t seem to get the CD out, and the volume button doesn’t work. Another of the cars has a cassette player with the Spice Girls. The alpha clearly has a sense of humor. I never would’ve guessed.”

“He does. He’s actually a really cool guy. Austin’s in the shower. Do you want something to drink?”

He sat on the bench and leaned back, spreading his arms along the top of the cushion. “No, thanks.

Is Nessa around?”

“Doesn’t seem to be.” I got myself some water and leaned back against the fridge. “Last I—”

The door opened and hurried footsteps came down the hall. Nessa appeared a moment later with her hair thrown up and flyaways all around her face. She carried two paper bags.

“Hello, handsome,” she told Broken Sue as he hopped up, reaching for the bags. “No, no, you’re fine. I’m already here. Sit down and relax.” She set the bags down on the island before turning back to him. “Did you bring six white stallions and a carriage to take me to the ball?”

“I’m here to speak to Alpha Steele…but I can take you to the barbecue after if you want?”

“Yes, I do. Sebastian always manages to get the good back seat, and I have to sit on a spring. Or maybe they both have springs. Hard to tell. Are you going to be here long? I can go get dressed.”

“What were you up to?” I asked, moving to peer into the bags.