Page 27 of Unbound

“That would be nice.” I unwrap the towel from my body and use it to dry my hair a little more before lying down beside him. He runs his fingers up and down my back, and somehow I end up dozing off for about twenty minutes. The power nap is exactly what I need.

When I wake up, I check my phone and see several texts from Delphi. Instead of replying, I just call her. She answers on the second ring.

“Thank God. You’re alive.”

“Sorry.” I rub my eyes.

Xavier is still in bed beside me, so I put the phone on speaker and roll over, letting him cradle me against his chest.

“Whenever I go a long time without hearing from you, I assume you’re either mad at me or dead,” she says.

I laugh. “If I’m mad at you, I’ll tell you. So I guess just assume I’m dead.”

“I heard about the Reapers,” she starts.

I look up at Xavier. “How has the pack taken the news?” he asks.

“Oh. He’s here. You’re on speakerphone,” I say, obviously.

“I’m at work, and I’ve been slammed up until just now,” Delphi goes on. “There’s some outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth at several schools, so I’ve had patients nonstop today. I just heard from Larkin, and she’s calling a pack meeting tonight.”

“Okay, so not the best news,” I say, “but also not the worst.”

“I guess that’s one way to put it,” Delphi says. “I don’t really know anything else, but it’s pretty clear this was supernatural. Right? I can hear the confusion in her voice.

“The exact cause is still to be determined,” I tell her, “but I’m pretty sure it has to do with that other thing we were dealing with.” I’m not sure whether I need to speak in code since she’s at work and who knows who might be around.

“It’ll be fine, right? As long as you’re okay,” she says.

“I mean, right now I am. But I know that isn’t very reassuring.”

“You’re going to give me a heart attack.” She laughs. “I don’t know how you haven’t had one yourself at this point.”

“I honestly don’t either.”

“What time is your pack meeting?” Xavier asks.

“Seven tonight,” she replies. “I’m sure you’ll be hearing from her soon.”

Xavier has been with me for the last half hour or so, so there’s a good chance Larkin has already called.

“We’re going to go downstairs and probably get another earful from Theo,” I say.

“I had to cancel my date,” Delphi says. “Which I think is a good thing. The guy was giving major creep vibes.”

“And why would you even entertain the idea of going out with him?” I ask.

“Because I’m old and my eggs are drying up, and I don’t know. It’s pretty desperate and sad, isn’t it?”

“Definitely not desperate and sad.”

I fully know Xavier is looking at me with one eyebrow raised. He doesn’t understand how we can switch subjects so easily. But hey, dating and love lives are important too.

“I have to get back to my patient,” Delphi says, “but please keep me posted, and I’ll keep you posted.”

“Of course.”

“Are we in danger?” Delphi asks before hanging up.