Magical Midlife Battle （Leveling Up, #8）(36)

“Earnessa, Aurora, stand down,” Kingsley commanded, his power crackling through his words.

“I can make them stand down, Kingsley,” Jess said through clenched teeth, “but I cannot handle much more of your power smashing into me.”

“End the spell, Jessie, and I’ll get a handle on this,” Mimi said. “Denise, when you can, get Earnessa out of here.”

“Let’s all find our chi,” Jess said right before the magic slid from the room.

Austin’s mom and grandma moved quickly.

“What was that?” Earnessa demanded, pushed from the room by Denise.

“Come on, girl.” Mimi practically dragged a stunned and wide-eyed Aurora off her stool. “What sort of a fool are you to challenge a woman’s new mate? Are you out of your mind? That is the fastest way to get yourself killed—”

Her voice drifted away as they hurried down the hall.

Another pulse of magic shot out from Jess, calling off her people.

Kingsley tensed. “What was that one, an all-clear?”

Jess hopped from her stool and hurried to Austin’s side, plastering herself to his body. She breathed him in, her eyes closed, tilting her head up for a kiss. He complied quickly, knowing she was acting on her gargoyle’s need to ensure her mate was safe. This was purely primal, all of this. Aurora should’ve been old enough to know better. He said so.

“I’m sorry,” Jess started.

“I’m not talking to you, Jacinta,” he said firmly, pouring alpha into his tone. Into the magic emanating from his body.

She shuddered against him, badly shaking now that the adrenaline was wearing off.

“Yes, please keep doing that,” she murmured. “I am not in my right mind just now. I’m making all of our people nervous. Tristan is coming, even though I sent the magic to call him off.”

“That new mate bond hasn’t calmed down yet?” Kingsley asked, leaning against the counter on his elbows.

“No,” Austin said. “If anything, it’s gotten stronger. Did you hear what I said?”

His brother gave a world-weary sigh before standing to grab the bottle of wine and refilling his glass. “Yeah, I did. And yeah, she knows better. She’s just at an age right now when she’s trying to flex. She’s got a lot of power, and she’s getting impatient about using it. I’ll talk to her.” His gaze went to Jess. “Jessie, I apologize about that. Thank you for not…doing the million things you could’ve done that would’ve been infinitely worse than what you did.”

Jess shook her head and peeled away from Austin. “I still need to get a breath of fresh air. I’ll have to talk to Tristan, anyway. He’s nearly here.”

She headed for the door at the other end of the large room, leading out onto the patio.

Kingsley leaned forward again, rotating his glass and watching the wine swirl within it.

“Aurora’s been a handful these last few years. She’s got a streak of Dad in her.” His gaze came up to Austin. “Like you.”

Austin glanced toward the door through which Jess had disappeared. Her emotions were still unsettled, but her anger and frustration were completely gone. She was no longer in danger of losing her cool from that challenge.

Austin took a seat at the island. “Is she ready for her own pack?”

“If she were like most budding alphas, yes. A small one to cut her teeth on. But that wild streak of hers is always pushing for more. Bigger. She’s not destructive like you were—usually—but she’s restless. She’s not content to wait for me to hand over the reins like I did with Mom. She needs guidance.”

“That you can’t give her?”

Kingsley shook his head slowly. “No, not anymore. I don’t have that wild streak. I was always the calm, patient—”

“Balanced one, I know. What do you plan to do?”

Kingsley looked away. “I don’t know. Watch her around you and Jessie to make sure she doesn’t accidentally get herself killed?”

Austin stood to get himself a glass of wine, but then just took Jess’s for now. It was easier. “I’d say she won’t, but gargoyles aren’t known for their soft temperament.”

A smile touched Kingsley’s lips and his eyes sparkled. “That was something, though, huh? I didn’t even know what was happening until I couldn’t move. Jessie has come a long way. I remember when she didn’t have any control. Now she’s strong enough to stop herself from protecting her mate and re-staking her claim.”

“The Jane in her wars with the primal needs of the gargoyle, that’s why.”

“Whatever the reason, it’s created a great mix, though Mom probably won’t think so. You two will be banned from dinner parties.”

Austin laughed. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Though I will say, throwing around a bunch of magic and freaking everyone out is a lot more exciting than arguing about a fridge hole.”

“That sounds awfully dirty, Dad,” Mac called from the couch.

“Mac, I forgot you were there,” Kingsley said before taking a sip of his wine.

“Story of my life,” Mac replied, going back to his phone. “Pretty sweet magic, though, I have to say.”