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“So, how are you all enjoying ying house? I think I might be a little jealous, living all by my
lonesome.” Harry says, his tone full of false sadness. Megan rolls her eyes.
“Liar, you love living alone.” She uses. Harry shrugs.
“True, I have always enjoyed my bachelor pad. No women.” He jokes. Darrien raises an eyebrow.
“I doubt that.” he mutters grumpily. Megan elbows him and Harry just winks.
“I prefer not to bring women back to my ce. Too much chance of them finding their way. back again.
It’s better they don’t know where I live.” hements. This time, both Bemy and Darrien look at him
in disgust. Shifters apparently aren’t into that whole lifestyle. I suppose it makes sense. They mostly
live inrge family groups. Bringing home a different woman every night probably doesn’t work as well
when you live with your parents, grandparents, siblings and other rtives. I decide to intervene before
the guys decide they hate Harry before they know anything other than his more shallow side.
“You just like having your own room. You always said as a kid that you would never share a room again
when you became an adult.” I remind him. Harry shrugs.
‘Share a room with five other guys and see if you ever want to share a room again.” He points.
out.
“You and Ryann grew up in the same ce, right?” Bemy asks. Leave it to him to instantly pick up on
the chance to ask questions about my childhood.
“Yep. She was just as much of a bossy brat then as she is now.” Harry answers. I re at him.
“Hey, rude!” I object.
“What do you mean by that?” Megan asks. Harry leans in, elbows on the table and lowers his voice like
he’s sharing a secret, or at least some really good gossip.
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“She used to parade around organising the other children and making sure they got along. She was
practically queen of the yground. At least until we hit our early teens… then things changed I guess.”
He stops, awkwardly, clearly not sure what else to say.
“Thus begun my awkward loner years. But that’s over now too so there’s no need to worry about it” I
conclude, putting an end to the topic. Our teenage years were about the time that Harry and all the
other Incubi came into their own magic. The home we lived in was about eighty percent Incubi and
Subi. They have a tendency to leave unimed children behind, more than most. Their abilities
don’t work on eachother. So The Incubi all suddenly began paying a lot of attention to me. But since I
could see their strings I always rejected them which didn’t leave me very popr. The Subi didn’t
appreciate that all the guys would give attention to the non–Subus girls so they didn’t like me either.
There were other kids there, but most of them moved to other homes as they grew up. Shifters almost
never end up in group homes, they’re too family oriented. Witches and their covens also tend to take
care of each other’s kids. Children with Oracle abilities are usually adopted young because they’re
pretty rare and most people THINK that they want to know the future. They’re usually wrong, but at
least the kids find families. Straight up Human kids have separate homes they go to. Which pretty
much just left me as a loner. I spent a lot of time reading and working as soon as I was old enough so
that I would be able to move out at eighteen. I’ve moved on from that time though and I really don’t
want to talk about it over dinner.
“Uhh… Ry, you never answered the original question. How are you enjoying living with us? On my part
I’m loving it. I enjoy having you around all the time, even if it is only temporary.” She rambles
ufortably. I notice Darrien nudging her arm in what I suspect is intended as aforting motion.
Great, I made everyone feel awkward. Bemy sits up straighter at herment though. I look up at
him and he is looking back at me, an eager expression on his face. Ah, I get it. He wants to share the
news from today. I give a slight nod.
“Oh go on. I know you want to.” I tell him. He beams at me before turning to the rest of the
table.
“Ryann agreed to move in permanently!” He blurts out. Megan squeals in delight and ps. her hands
together.
“When did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?” She demands excitedly. I smile and answer.
“Just this afternoon. I didn’t get around to telling anyone yet, but I’ve spoken to Maggie and Bemy
said he’s arranged for someone to get the rest of my stuff tomorrow.” I tell her. She
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looks absolutely thrilled.
“Congrattions to you both. I suppose I will continue seeing you around then.” Darrien remarks, a
pleased smile on his face. Hmm, if Shifters live in family groups, I wonder if he will move in with us too
someday. I know he mostly lives alone right now, Bemy mentioned once that he moved here a few
years ago without his family. I think he’s mostly on his own. I don’t think it’s supermon for Shifters
to move away from their families unless they don’t really have one. I think I’m actually looking forward
to it.
“I suppose that means it’s been going fairly well, good for you both I guess.” Harryments. He looks
a little down and kind of distracted. He perks up all of a sudden.
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“I’ll have to get you a housewarming gift. You’ll have to invite me over for a proper housewarming.” He
says cheerfully. He’s talking to me, but he’s watching Bemy, clearly hoping for a reaction. Bemy
scowls for a second, then smooths his face over and answers. for me.
“I’m sure you will be able toe visit sometime.” He answers, only a hint of reluctance in his tone.
“Wonderful. Now have you all picked out what you want to eat? I can go ce our orders. Cam should
be working and I want to… say hi.” He says with a smirk. Megan picks up on his sudden change in
attitude.
“Cam? Who is Cam?” She asks eagerly.
“The bartender here.” He answers inly. Megan and I both immediately sit up in our chairs. and
stretch around, trying to see the bar, annoyingly we can’t see much from where we’re sitting.
“You mean THE bartender?” I ask pointedly. I swear Harry blushes a little and I can’t help but giggle.
He rolls his eyes.
“Yes, the bartender.” He answers. Megan exchanges excited nces with me. Bemy and Darrien
both look confused.
“Is there something special about this particr bartender?” Darrien asks, trying to make
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sense of our excitement.
“Definitely.” Megan responds with a grin.
“We need to meet her.” I dere. Megan nods eagerly.
“Oh we totally do. We can go order the food.” She offers, already halfway out her seat. Darrien and
Bemy both frown.
“I’ll pay for dinner. Sit back down.” Bemy insists. Megan drops into her seat with a pout. Darrien looks
a little disheartened. I’m guessing he wanted to get dinner for Megan.
want to
“Darrien, maybe you could get the drinks?” I suggest. I’m kind of annoyed at my own suggestion
because I want to go to the bar and meet Cam the bartender, but I al cheer Darrien up.
“Oh no, no way. I’m getting the drinks. This is my usual drinking joint anding here was my idea.”
Harry insists.
“You just want to hit on the bartender.” Megan mutters.