Magical Midlife Battle （Leveling Up, #8）(121)

Maybe a peace offering. Maybe they were just being polite.

Organized pits had been prepared for bonfires, although the sun was hours away from setting. The garhettes were clearly planning for this to last a while, and judging by the contests going on with the shifters, gargoyles, and basajaunak, all challenging Niamh to a drinking match, it just might.

“Alphas.” The basandere walked up, her hair braided in various areas down her body and her demeanor loose and easy. “I heard that time is officially ticking down.”

Kingsley looked to Austin.

“Our mages got word that the enemy is mobilizing. We don’t know how long that’ll take, though.”

She nodded, looking out to the west. “Dave—or is it Missus Smith with outsiders?”

“It’s only Missus Smith to outside mages, I believe,” Austin clarified, fighting his grin at his brother’s suddenly bewildered posture. He still didn’t much understand the Ivy House crew.

They’d given Dave two nicknames, one being Dave, and the other provided by Edgar—Missus Smith. It would be used to further knock the mages they met off-kilter, calling a huge, fearsome creature like a basajaun a name like that. Although Dave would’ve probably done the job as well.

She inclined her head. “My understanding is that the battle could start at any time, so I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, Alpha Austin, for changing your plans at the last minute to accommodate more of us. We were sick with worry about sending our children into the throes of danger without passable training.”

“We’re happy to have you, and that’s not a platitude,” Austin responded.

“And Alpha Kingsley, thank you for hosting us. We have found a nice hum within some of your parks and within the trees along the river. The fish are plentiful and your diligence in ensuring we always have fuel for fires and food to eat has been most gracious. You are as good of a host as any basajaunak could expect and more.”

“My pleasure,” Kingsley replied. “It’s a joy to welcome your people amongst us. There has been no trouble—it’s easy to forget that you are a visiting creature and not a longtime resident.”

“Well…for some of my people, perhaps.” Her gaze swiveled to Phil sitting on the ground behind Niamh, each drinking out of their mugs of the basajaunak’s special brew, more intense than most moonshine. “And am I correct in hearing that we are to exert all our efforts in this battle and hold nothing back?”

She was asking if they could kill at will, likely because Jessie was always asking them to hold back and not finish the job.

“Hold absolutely nothing back,” Austin replied. “If you can make my mate blanch, all the better.”

Her eyes sparkled. “It has been a long time since I have battled like this, and the young ones never have. A part of me is scared. Another part of me is excited. It is a strange feeling.”

“Hopefully all goes well,” Austin said.

“Yes.” She nodded to them before turning away, drifting toward a barbecue setup.

Austin glanced to the right, sensing his mate. She stood with Ulric and Jasper and another gargoyle, her head thrown back in laughter. The sun sparkled on her beautiful face and a warm happiness radiated through the bonds. She reached out to put a hand on Ulric’s arm before shaking her head and dropping it again.

“You’ve really changed,” Kingsley said, and Austin realized his brother was watching him closely. “Back in the day, that simple touch would’ve driven you to madness. You would’ve killed him without batting an eye.”

He was referring to how Austin had been with Destiny, his ex. “Back in the day, my head was twisted and the way she touched other men was a lot more suggestive.”

“True.”

“I’m still that guy, Kingsley,” he said in a low tone, his eyes fixed on Jess. She glanced his way a moment later, catching his gaze and giving him a smile just for him, full of love and longing and joy.

“Ask Brochan.”

She winked at him before turning back to the guys, a gush of warmth coming through the bonds.

“We’re all that guy with someone we love,” Brochan said, and Austin supposed that was true enough. “I can’t speak to what you were like in the past, but there has never been a finer alpha—

begging your pardon for saying so, Alpha Kingsley. His brutality and viciousness have served him well in the challenges we’ve faced so far.”

“Since we’re among equals, even though one of us is currently a beta…” Kingsley paused for a moment. “I’m not facing this coming attack with the bravery I’d expect from myself. Honestly, boys, I’m shitting my pants.”

Brochan adjusted his footing—a slight accession to both the humor and vulnerability Kingsley had shown—and Austin nodded.

“Waiting for the unknown is the hardest part,” he said. “We’ve seen hell already, and we’ve had time to organize. It’s better than a couple of situations I’ve faced with Jess in the past.”

Kingsley tensed, and a little liquid sloshed out of his glass.

“What?” Austin asked.

Kingsley’s eyes had squinted, his focus acute, on the trees at the other side of the grass. Like he’d seen something. “What did she mean by gnomes?”