Chapter 555

He looks up at us and shrugs, his expression wary, like he thinks he might sound crazy.

"That's...scary, man," Rafe says, his voice breathy. "But also really cool."

Slowly, Jesse breaks out into a smile. "Yeah, I...I think it kind of is."

"Fire goddess, shadow lord," Jackson murmurs, looking around at us like he's kind of tickled by it. "Whatever you come up with next is going to be amazing, Rafe, if you're going to match up with these two."

Jesse laughs and I grin at my brother, but my smile falters a little as Rafe pretends to laugh before he drops his head, his face falling a little bit.

And my heart sinks again when I realize that my poor brother - who just got dumped - likewise feels left out of this too. Because he's the only one here whose magic hasn't manifested.

Which...probably makes him feel more alone than ever.

"Rafe," I say quietly, reaching for him.

But my brother straightens his shoulders, pretending he doesn't hear me.

My hand falls before I touch him, sensing that he doesn't want that right now.

"Well, we have to get up early," Rafe says, forcing a smile, "especially if we're going to send word to mom and Cora that we want to chat. Do you think you can sleep, Jess?"

"Probably not," Jesse laughs, only a touch hysterically, shaking his head. "But...I mean, I can try."

"Well, what if it happens again?" I ask anxiously, biting my lip.

"I'll just scream louder, cousin," Jesse says, reaching out and giving me a pat on the knee, using his sense of humor and bravado to cover the anxiety that I can still see running through him. After all, he's gone through a big change today - and swirling clouds of darkness are not precisely a warm and cuddly gift.

I mean, not that bursting things into flames is. At least not technically. But...well, I like it.

And I'm not sure that Jesse likes his as much - at least not yet.

"Well, I'm staying here," I say, crawling quickly across the bed and cuddling up on the pillow on the far side of the bed that Jesse always leaves open. I grin at Jesse as he turns to stare at me. "In case you need me."

"Ariel, go to bed -"

"No way!" I say, laughing and giving him a soft smack on the back. "If you get lost in a cloud of shadows I'm getting lost in them too. Cousins stick together."

Jesse groans but he doesn't protest any more, falling back on his own pillows.noveldrama

Jackson sighs, but then starts to lay down, stretching himself length-wise across the foot of the bed.

"Wait, what do you think you're doing!?" Jesse gasps, sitting up again and staring at Jackson.

"Is this...are we still not clear on this?" Jackson asks, looking up at Jesse like he's exhausted at having to explain again, his feet hanging far off the bed as he stretches out to his full height. He points a finger at me. "I sleep where she sleeps."

"You both cannot sleep in my bed! You don't fit!"

"Yes we do, Jesse, it's just a puppy pile like we did when we were kids," I say with a happy sigh, curling up comfortably as Jackson settles his head down by my feet. Jackson reaches up and puts a warm and comforting hand on my calf, think wanting to maintain body contact with me even as he realizes that it's going to be inappropriate for us to cuddle all night like we usually do.

"Well, if they're staying, so am I," Rafe sighs, giving Jesse a shove. "Budge over."

"What?!" Jesse protests, bumping

into me as Rafe pulls his legs up onto the bed and then curls up an Jesse's either side. "Guys, this is ridiculous the bed is going to collapse!"

"Use your newfound shadow power to prop it up or something," I say with a happy sigh, closing my eyes.

"What will that do!? They're insubstantial –“

"Well, then we'll all collapse together," Rafe murmurs. "Like a family."

"But -"

“Goodnight, Jesse!” Rafe calls, laughing a little under his breath. “We love you!"

"Yeah, love ya," Jackson murmurs, his voice already sleepy.

We all fall quiet as Jesse heaves a huge sigh, giving in. And then, in the tiny sliver of bed left to him, Jesse turns his back to me and curls himself up.

And even if he pretends to be exasperated by us...deep down, I know that Jesse's very grateful to have us all close by in case he needs us.