“Secret from us?” Alex asked.

“Secret from me,” said Naomi. “He says it’s a surprise. And your two honeys? Where are they?”

“Here,” Logan said, as he and Kai sat down behind Alex and Sera.

The commandos sat in the next row back, their eyes scanning the crowd for threats.

Sera turned back and whispered to Kai. “I can’t tell which ones are Alden’s. He’s covered up his magic somehow.”

“Yes.”

“Do you think he’s going to make a move here?” Naomi asked

“Perhaps,” said Kai.

The head of the university was starting his speech now, so they fell silent. The guys remained alert during the whole ceremony, allowing Sera and Alex the chance to relax and enjoy the day. The sisters held each other, sniffling as Riley walked across the stage and claimed his diploma. Thankfully, the ceremony passed without monsters or Alden.

This moment in time was beautiful, peaceful, perfect. But Sera wasn’t kidding herself. Alden was planning something. And whatever it was, he would strike soon.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Bring on the Consequences

AFTER THE CEREMONY, the sisters drove back to their house together in Alex’s rental car. Sera told the guys she and Alex wanted a little time alone so they could chat during the car ride. Without prompting, Alex drove. She knew how much Sera hated driving.

“The drivers are all crazy,” Sera commented as a big SUV tried to cut them off.

Alex stomped down hard on the gas pedal, zipping past the misbehaving SUV. “Yeah, and I’m one of them.”

Sera laughed. “After Kai, nothing can phase me.”

A wicked look took root in Alex’s eyes. “Oh, really?” She sped off like a maniac down the road.

It took only a few seconds for Sera to decide that it would be best for her sanity not to look out her window. She kept her eyes firmly on Alex. Maybe she shouldn’t have taunted her sister. Alex always rose to the challenge.

“So spill, Sera,” she said. “I know you didn’t chase away that handsome dragon hovering over you for nothing.”

“Kai does get a bit overprotective at times.”

Alex arched her brows. “A bit? The dragon looked like he was going to murder a village.”

“After what happened in Munich, he’s been on edge. He’s afraid to leave me alone because Alden wants to convert me. He seems to think that the moment he looks away, Alden will whisk me away to his underground lair.”

“The Grim Reaper is such a psychopath,” Alex commented.

“He seriously is,” Sera agreed. “But he’s swayed so many people to his side.”

“Ok, a psychopath with mind-control magic. Even better. Someone needs to track him down and make him a head shorter.”

“You?”

“Wish I could, sis, but I have my own bullshit to deal with,” said Alex. “We’ve left Europe in a state of utter chaos. I shouldn’t have left… No, screw that. I definitely should have left. I was not going to miss Riley’s graduation. Not for anything. If I waited for the world to settle down, then I’d never do anything but fight. And what’s the point of life if you don’t spend time with the ones you love?”

Sera thought about that, about her and Kai. “You’re right. We need to seize every moment.”

“Speaking of which, we’re going shopping. We need this, Sera. We need a moment of normalcy in our lives. I’m here today and tomorrow. The world can survive two days without the Dering sisters springing into action. This is our time. And anyone who tries to take it away from us will have to answer to me and my sword.”

“And mine.”

Alex cracked a smile at her. “Ok, now spill. What’s going on between you and Kai?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t play coy with me,” Alex said. “I know something is up. Your magic is…well, wonky.”

“Wonky?”

“Yes, wonky,” said Alex. “Plus, whenever you look at Kai, you blush.”

Sera sighed. “Do you think he noticed too?”

“Hmm, let me see. Did the man who’s watching your every breath notice that you go red as a cherry when your eyes meet his. Hmm. I wonder.”

“Last night, I overheard Kai and Tony talking about me.”

“And?” Alex prompted her.

“Kai wants to marry me.”

Alex screeched to a stop at a red light. She turned to Sera. “Whoa. That’s…just wow.”

“I know.”

“And how do you feel about that? Panicking?” Alex teased.

“No,” Sera said.

“So that means…”

“Hold your horses, sister,” Sera said. “He hasn’t spoken to me yet. He thinks I’ll freak out.”

“Yeah, he has absolutely no reason to think that,” Alex said with a sarcastic smirk.

“You’re right. I do freak out.”

“Jumping right in is much more fun. Like how I mated with Logan.”

“But if you never look before you leap, then there will be consequences later,” Sera said.

“If the consequence is the best sex ever, then sure, yeah. Bring on the consequences.”

Sera blushed.

“You need to stop doing that,” Alex told her. The light was green, so she hit the gas.

“Then what do I do?”