Magical Midlife Flowers: A Magical Midlife Novella 7.5 by K.F. Breene

Author:K.F. Breene [Breene, K.F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hazy Dawn Press, Inc.
Published: 2023-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

EIGHT

Austin

“Tristan.” Austin walked into the billiard room, finding the other man with his T-shirt literally ripping at the seams. “Jess’ll have Mr. Tom order you some shirts in your size, be it button-down or T-shirts. Whatever you need.”

The large gargoyle turned from the far corner of the room, revealing a painting in a wooden frame behind him.

“Did my grandma Mimi leave some art out of the art room?” Austin asked, crossing to the rack of cue sticks mounted on the wall.

“Yes, I think she did. I can’t be certain, but that one might be a lost piece of history.”

“Do you like art?”

“Very much.” He met Austin at the rack.

“Have you spoken to Mimi? It’s one of her passions. I’m sure she’d love to talk to a fellow connoisseur.”

Tristan waited for Austin to select his pool stick and get out of the way before studying the selections.

“Sir, may I ask a question?” he asked.

“We’re off duty, Tristan. Your gargoyle culture is a lot more relaxed than my shifter culture. Ivy House is more relaxed still. I’ve gotten used to letting down my guard here. When we’re here, in private company, feel free to address me as Austin.”

Tristan ran his fingers along one of the cue sticks. “We shouldn’t be using these. I will, because I can’t help myself, but they’re relics out of time. Do you have any idea what a collector would pay for these? In this condition?”

“A passion for billiards as well, huh? Should I prepare to be spanked?”

“Probably.” Tristan grinned over his shoulder. “Care to put money on it?”

“Sure. Assuming you finally choose a stick.”

He shook his head but selected one.

Instead of asking whatever had been on his mind, Austin reached for the chalk in silence. Something was clearly troubling the gargoyle, but he figured it would be best to work around to it. Tristan didn’t seem the type to open up easily. Maybe not at all, given his past and Niamh’s inability to find out anything about it. She’d gotten another clue earlier, though, with the nightmare-inducing magic. She’d figure out everything, given enough time.

“How do you feel about the flower incident at the fair?” Austin asked, a good entry point into a conversation.

Tristan surveyed the table, rested his stick flat upon it, and then rolled it. Satisfied that it was straight, he left it there and carefully pulled the balls out of the pockets and collected them at the end.

“Conflicted. I failed. I saw you allowing it to happen, only stepping in when the mi—Jessie was in danger.”

“I have limits.”

“Of course. I apologize, I didn’t anticipate her stepping in front of the—Dave.”

“Neither did I. I’ve always had very shaky results when stepping in front of an enraged basajaun, and that’s in my larger shifter form.”

“I remember from the raid. Has she never seen them incensed?”

“Of course she has. She just…” Austin couldn’t help but shrug. “She has a gut instinct about what people are capable of. And when it comes to her crew, she’s never wrong.

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