Even the moon needs the stars to shine brightest.
Purring Monster
On Saturday morning, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air. The kitchen was warm and inviting as I sat at the table with Alex and Rolo, enjoying a hearty breakfast. As I munched on a piece of toast, I pulled out my phone and started texting Lil again.
[Hey Lil, just a heads-up: I might be bothering you more from Sunday on.😅 We're visiting Livius's court, and I might be bored to death otherwise.🙄]
Rolo, who had been quietly eating his eggs, glanced at me suspiciously. "Who are you texting this early in the morning?"
Before I could answer, Alex chimed in casually, "He's talking to Lil."
Rolo's fork clattered onto his plate, his eyes wide with shock. "Lil? As in the thousand-year-old dark mage Lil?"
Alex nodded nonchalantly, taking a sip of his coffee. "Yep. Seems like they've become quite the pen pals."
Rolo stared at Alex, then back at me, his disbelief evident. "And you're… cool with this?"
Alex shrugged. "It's Shay. He's always up to something."
I grinned, taking another bite of my toast. "See, Rolo? No need to worry. Lil and I are just catching up."
Rolo shook his head, still processing the revelation. "I'm not sure what's more surprising—the fact that you're texting Lilinette or that Alex is so casual about it."
"Come on, Rolo," I teased. "I'm not planning a midnight rendezvous or anything. Just need some tips on how not to die of boredom in Livius's court."
Rolo snorted. "What do you even talk about with a thousand-year-old mage?"
I glanced up, winking. "Oh, you know, the usual. Ancient curses, world domination, what she had for breakfast."
Alex laughed. "Yeah, she probably gives him tips on the best ancient breakfast recipes."
Rolo shook his head, trying to process. "Unbelievable. You realize this isn't normal, right?"
I nodded, feigning seriousness. "Totally. It's not every day you get brunch tips from a millennium-old mage."
Rolo sighed, rubbing his temples. I laughed, sending another quick message to Lil before putting my phone down. Rolo sighed, picking up his fork again.
"Relax," I said reassuringly.
Rolo rolled his eyes. "Hey, it's not every day you find out your friend is texting a legendary mage like it's no big deal."
I shrugged. "What can I say? I've got connections."
Rolo shook his head, grumbling. "I just hope you don't drag us into some magical mishap."
"Don't worry," I said, grinning. "If anything goes wrong, we've got Lil on speed dial."
Alex leaned back in his chair, laughing. "I can just see it now: 'Lil, we need a spell to fix a broken coffee machine.'"
I nodded enthusiastically. "Or 'Lil, how do we uncurse Rolo's pancakes?'"
Rolo groaned, but a smile tugged at his lips. "You guys are impossible."
As the laughter died down, the clinking of spoons and the hum of morning conversation took over again. I leaned back in my chair, enjoying the moment of camaraderie.
"So," I said, taking another sip of my coffee, "what's the plan for today?"
Alex looked up from his cereal. "I've got to run some errands downtown."
Rolo nodded. "Same here. Need to grab a few things and maybe check in with a couple of contacts. You?"
I shrugged. "Besides annoying Lil? Not much. Thought I'd pack and maybe make sure Mose doesn't have a meltdown about the trip."
Rolo smirked. "Good luck with that. He's probably already freaking out."
Just as he said that, my phone buzzed again. I glanced at it and saw another message from Mose.
Fortuna's Favourite: [Shay, what kind of clothes should I bring? Casual? Formal? Do I need a suit? 😱😱😱]
I couldn't help but laugh. "Speak of the devil. Mose is having a packing crisis."
Alex chuckled. "Tell him to bring a little of everything. You never know what kind of events we might stumble into."
I typed out a quick response.
[Just bring a mix. Casual for the day, something nicer for any formal events. Don't overthink it.]
Fortuna's Favourite: [Easy for you to say...☹️]
Alex finished his cereal and stood up, stretching. "Alright, I'm off. Need to get a head start on those errands. You guys need anything while I'm out?"
I shook my head. "I'm good. Thanks, though."
Rolo glanced at his phone. "Maybe some extra cocoa. We're running low."
What? When did he attack my cocoa stash? I gave Rolo a piercing look, but he didn't even bother to meet my gaze.
Alex raised an eyebrow, glancing between Rolo and me. "Cocoa, huh?"
Rolo shrugged nonchalantly. "Hey, don't judge. A man's gotta have his comforts."
I shot him a bemused look. "You do realize that the cocoa stash is my sacred territory, right?"
Rolo smirked, finally meeting my gaze. "Guilty as charged."
Alex chuckled as he grabbed his coat. "Alright, I'll grab some extra cocoa."
I turned back to Rolo again. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd say you're conspiring to deplete my entire cocoa supply."
Rolo's grin widened. "Maybe I am. Maybe I just like to keep you on your toes."
I shook my head, half-smiling. "I suppose it's a small price to pay for a little peace and quiet in the morning. But if you start running low on marshmallows, we're gonna have a problem."
Rolo laughed. "Deal. I'll make sure to keep an eye on the marshmallows. We wouldn't want to risk a cocoa crisis."
I chuckled and started clearing the table. "Alright, cocoa connoisseur, just make sure you don't drink the whole stash before we get to the trip."
Rolo picked up his phone again, clearly amused. "No promises."
With a final wave, Alex left, and Rolo settled back into his chair, scrolling through his phone. I finished tidying up and headed to my room to start packing.
I walked into my room, tossing clothes and essentials into my travel bag. The room was a mess of crumpled clothes and scattered items, but I was too focused on packing to care. As I reached for a jacket, I heard the familiar, soft rustling sound behind me.
"Need any help?" Simon's voice was as ghostly as ever, and I turned to find his translucent form hovering near the closet.
I raised an eyebrow. "Actually, I was just about to ask if you wanted to come along on the trip. It could be an adventure."
Simon floated closer, a look of mild horror crossing his ethereal face. "Oh, please. I'd rather not. Crowded courts, stuffy rooms, and magic everywhere? I'm more of a 'stay in the background and avoid trouble' kind of ghost."
I chuckled, zipping up my bag. "Fair enough. I wouldn't want you getting lost among all the magical chaos."
Simon floated over to the window, peering out as if it might provide an escape route. "Besides, someone's got to keep an eye on the others."
I nodded in agreement, grabbing a few more items and stuffing them into my bag. "Alright, you stay here and keep them out of trouble. I'll be sure to send you a postcard—or, you know, a ghostly update."
Simon gave me a wry smile. "Make sure you do. And if anything goes awry, remember: it's your fault for leaving me behind."
"Will do," I said with a smirk. "Thanks for holding down the fort."
Simon floated towards the door, his form starting to fade. "Good luck. And if you need a rescue from the court's boredom, just give me a shout. I might just haunt you for a bit of entertainment."
I laughed as Simon disappeared through the door.
I grabbed my phone and checked Lil's reply. I'd been waiting for this and was eager to see what she had to say.
Trouble's Chauffeur: [Shay, what on earth are you doing heading to Livius's court? What's the occasion?]
I tapped out a quick response:
[Livius has taken an interest in Rolo, and Rolo is only going if I go with him. On top of that, I've decided to bring Mose along. Figured it'd be good for him to see the place.]
Almost immediately, Lil's reply came through, and her concern was palpable:
Trouble's Chauffeur: [Mose? Are you sure that's wise? His magic is still unstable. Livius's court isn't exactly the safest place for someone like him.]
I paused, considering her words.
[I get that it's risky, but I think he needs to face it. If it helps him gain control, it'll be worth it. Plus, I'll be there to watch his back.]
Trouble's Chauffeur: [Alright, but do keep a close eye on him. And remember, Livius is as unpredictable as they come. His court is a web of politics and danger. It's not just about magic; it's about navigating the intrigues of the court. Make sure you're prepared for both.]
[By the way, have you ever been to Livius's court?] I typed.
Trouble's Chauffeur: [No, I haven't. Livius and I aren't exactly on the best of terms. I've heard rumors, though.]
I raised an eyebrow at the mention of rumors. [Rumours? Do tell.]
Trouble's Chauffeur: [Oh, nothing too concrete, just whispers of political games and hidden dangers. Livius is known for his manipulations and his court is a place where alliances shift like sand. The atmosphere is thick with intrigue and not everyone there is friendly.]
[By the way, what are your plans for the next few days?]
Trouble's Chauffeur: [Oh, just the usual—keeping my place in order and making sure I don't accidentally summon any more troublesome spirits. Why do you ask?]
I smirked, picturing Lil battling mischievous spirits while juggling her magical responsibilities. [I am just curious. And a bit bored, maybe.]
Trouble's Chauffeur: [Well, it's not like I have much excitement lined up. Unless you count arguing with enchanted objects and reorganizing my spell books.]
[Sounds like a thrill a minute. If you need someone to chat with to break up the monotony, let me know. I'll be bored out of my mind at Livius's court.]
Trouble's Chauffeur: [I might just take you up on that. I have a feeling I'll need something to laugh about if things get dull. Safe travels, and try not to get into too much trouble.]
[I'll do my best. And remember, if you ever need a break from spell books and enchanted arguments, just send a message. I'll be around.]
With a final glance at my packed bag and a mental note to keep my phone handy for any updates or distractions, I smiled at the thought of finally having a bit of time to slack off.
The knock on the door was rapid and unrelenting, like someone had a personal vendetta against it. I opened it to find Ábel standing there, grinning from ear to ear, with a bag practically bursting at the seams with sweets. Beside him was the fae doctor, looking as stoic as a statue, arms crossed, and silently radiating an aura of "I'd rather be anywhere else."
"Ábel?" I blinked, my gaze shifting to the overstuffed bag. "Did you rob a candy shop or something?"
"Nope!" Ábel chirped, stepping inside as if he owned the place. He held up a lollipop and wagged it in my direction. "I brought you your favorite, though. Consider it a bribe for letting us in."
I didn't even argue, snatching the lollipop like a greedy child and popping it into my mouth. "Alright, you're in. Come on." I waved them toward the kitchen.
The doctor, as expressionless as ever, followed silently and took a seat at the table, folding his hands neatly in front of him like he was attending some somber council meeting.
"Tea?" I asked, half out of politeness, half out of curiosity about whether this guy was capable of drinking anything besides disappointment.
The doctor nodded. No words, no acknowledgment, just a single, curt nod.
I rolled my eyes and turned to Ábel, who was still busy digging through his candy bag. "Alright, what's the occasion? You never visit unless you want something. Spill it."
Ábel hesitated, his face flushing slightly as he looked up from his sweets. "Uh... well... I heard you needed workers for your pub," he said quickly, as if the words were hot and burning his tongue.
I stared at him, completely frozen. My brain stalled for a moment, trying to process the absurdity of what he'd just said. Then, without warning, everything I'd been holding—my tea towel, the box of sugar cubes, and the spoon I'd grabbed—went crashing to the floor.
"You what?!" I finally managed to sputter, my voice climbing an octave.
Ábel squirmed under my incredulous stare. "I mean, I could help out! I'm good with people!" He fidgeted with the bag of sweets, clearly trying to avoid eye contact.
"Good with people?" I echoed, still in disbelief.
The doctor cleared his throat, finally breaking his silence. "He does have... enthusiasm," he said dryly.
"Oh, fantastic. Enthusiasm. Just what I need." I pinched the bridge of my nose, muttering under my nose. "What did I do to deserve this?"
Before I could finish lamenting my fate, Ábel crouched down and started gathering the scattered tea supplies off the floor. He grabbed the tea towel, the sugar cubes—thankfully still in their box—and the spoon, holding them up triumphantly like he'd just conquered a mountain.
Ábel grinned sheepishly, holding out a candy bar like a peace offering. "So... can I have the job?"
I raised an eyebrow, watching him struggle to figure out where to put everything. He eventually set the towel on the counter, placed the spoon with a clatter beside the teacups, and stared at the sugar box like it was a riddle. "Uh... where does this go?"
"Literally anywhere but the floor," I replied, deadpan.
Ábel beamed as if I'd just praised him for solving a complex equation, placing the sugar box on the counter with exaggerated care. Then, without skipping a beat, he turned to the kettle. "I'll handle the tea!"
"You'll what?" My voice had that edge of panic, but he was already pouring water into the kettle, humming to himself like he had this all under control.
The doctor, ever the unflappable statue, sipped his tea with a slight tilt of his head. "It appears he's already acclimating to his new role," he said.
"Acclimating to disaster, maybe," I muttered under my breath, watching Ábel fill the kettle halfway and then try to turn it on without plugging it in first.
"Shay, where's the sugar bowl?" Ábel asked, completely oblivious to my growing despair.
"Right in front of you," I pointed out.
"Oh! Got it!" He grabbed it enthusiastically, sending a small puff of sugar into the air as he plopped it down on the table.
I leaned against the counter, letting out a long, exaggerated sigh. "You know, for someone who claims to be good with people, you're surprisingly bad with tea."
Ábel shot me a cheeky grin. "Good thing I've got you to train me, huh?"
The doctor's lips twitched, almost—almost—forming a smirk. "This should be... entertaining," he said, raising his teacup in a mock toast.
I groaned, running a hand down my face. But when Ábel finally set a fresh cup of tea in front of me, I couldn't help but shake my head and take a sip. It was, against all odds, actually decent.
"Not bad," I admitted reluctantly.
Ábel puffed up like a proud peacock, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "Told you I'd be useful!"
The doctor set his teacup down with a faint clink, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Useful may not be the word I'd use," he said flatly.
I couldn't help but laugh at that, the absurdity of the situation momentarily washing away the stress of everything else. Maybe having Ábel around wouldn't be the worst thing.
...Probably.
I set the teacup down and turned to Ábel, attempting to keep my tone firm. "We'll talk about this job application of yours after I get back from meeting the Sorcerer Lord."
The fae doctor's gaze flicked up from his tea, sharp as a blade, though his voice remained maddeningly even. "Another one of your ill-advised ventures, no doubt."
I raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Ill-advised? I'm making strategic alliances here, not starting a brawl."
The doctor tilted his head slightly, the faintest hint of disapproval in his eyes. "Strategic or not, trouble follows you like a shadow. You may wish to consider less... perilous activities."
I smirked, leaning back against the counter. "What can I say? The world would be boring without me."
Ábel snorted, clearly enjoying the exchange. "He's got a point, Doc. Shay's like a magnet for chaos."
The doctor's lips pressed into a thin line. "And yet, chaos rarely leaves one unscathed, as you'll learn if you continue to follow his example."
"Speaking of examples," I said, turning the spotlight back on Ábel, "how's your training with him going? Still alive, I see. That's promising."
Ábel grinned, clearly eager to change the subject. "Alive and thriving! Doc's been teaching me some seriously cool stuff. Did you know fae magic can stitch up a wound in seconds?"
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Impressive. Better than sewing someone up the old-fashioned way, I guess."
Ábel leaned forward, his enthusiasm bubbling over. "Way better! Yesterday, I even managed to re-align a fracture with just a touch! Doc says I've got a knack for it."
The fae doctor gave a small nod. "His progress is adequate, though he still struggles with precision. A knack, however, does not substitute discipline."
Ábel rolled his eyes, but the pride in his voice was unmistakable. "C'mon, Doc, admit it—I'm doing great."
"Greatness," the doctor said, his tone as sharp as ever, "comes with consistency, not flashes of brilliance. Your eagerness is commendable, but your patience leaves much to be desired."
I smirked at their exchange, twirling the lollipop between my fingers. "Sounds like you're being worked to the bone, Ábel. Keep it up; I might trust you to patch me up one day."
Ábel shot me a playful glare. "Might? Don't worry, Shay. When you inevitably get yourself torn to pieces, I'll be there to save your sorry hide."
Ábel beamed, while the doctor merely sighed, his expression unchanging. "Time will tell. For now, I'll be content if he manages not to poison anyone during his next tincture lesson."
Ábel groaned. "That was one time! And I fixed it!"
"Let's hope you keep fixing things," the doctor replied dryly, picking up his teacup. I couldn't help but chuckle, enjoying the dynamic between the two of them.
(...)
As Saturday afternoon rolled around, the house had settled into a lazy, comfortable silence. I was lounging on the couch in the living room, flipping through channels on the TV, trying to find something to keep my mind occupied. Alex had already finished his errands and was working on something in his room, and Rolo was in his usual spot, glued to his phone.
The doorbell rang, breaking the calm. I glanced over at Rolo, who didn't even look up from his game. With a sigh, I pushed myself off the couch and went to answer the door.
Mose stood there, looking slightly flustered and carrying an overstuffed backpack that seemed ready to burst at any moment. "Hey, Mose. Come on in," I said.
"Thanks, Shay," he replied. "I'm, uh, having a bit of trouble with packing. Thought maybe Rolo could help?"
I led him inside, and as soon as Rolo saw Mose, he groaned audibly. "Seriously, Mose? Still can't pack a bag on your own?"
"It's not that simple! There's a lot of stuff to bring, and I don't want to forget anything important," Mose protested.
"Important like what? Your entire collection of mage robes?" Rolo retorted.
"You know it's not that easy. I have to be prepared for anything!" Mose countered.
"Alright, alright. Let's all just calm down. Rolo, can you please help him out? I can't relax with you two bickering like this," I intervened.
Rolo rolled his eyes but got up from the couch, muttering under his breath as he followed Mose to his room. "I swear, Mose, if you packed another entire library…"
I shook my head and tried to focus back on the TV, but their voices carried through the house, making it impossible to tune out.
"I didn't! It's just... you know, the essentials. Books, potions, maybe a few extra robes…" Mose explained.
"A few? Mose, this bag weighs a ton! It also has spatial magic, so I don't even want to guess how much it can hold. Are you planning to move in with the Sorcerer Lord?" Rolo exclaimed.
"No! It's just... better to be over-prepared than underprepared," Mose argued.
I could hear the shuffling of items, the occasional thud of something heavy hitting the floor, and more of Rolo's exaggerated sighs. It was clear this wasn't going to be a quick fix.
"Guys, keep it down, will you? Some of us are trying to relax here!" I yelled, trying to drown out the noise.
Their bickering lowered to a dull roar, but I could still hear the occasional comment from Rolo about Mose's packing skills, or lack thereof. I sighed and turned the volume up on the TV, hoping to drown out the noise.
After what felt like an eternity, the sounds of packing and arguing finally subsided. Rolo emerged from the room, looking slightly disheveled but triumphant. "There. He's all set. I swear, next time, we need to start packing a week in advance."
Mose followed, looking sheepish but relieved. "Thanks, Rolo. I appreciate it."
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't expect this kind of service every time," Rolo grumbled. "At least not for free."
I couldn't help but chuckle at their dynamic. Despite the constant bickering, there was a bond between them that was a bit adorable. "Alright, now that the packing crisis is over, can we all just chill for a bit?"
"Fine by me," Rolo agreed.
"I could use a break," Mose added.
We settled back into the living room, the earlier tension fading away. As we watched TV together, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The trip to Livius' court was looming, but for now, it was good to just enjoy the simple moments with my friends.
As the afternoon stretched on, we found ourselves staying in the living room, basking in the lazy comfort of a Saturday. The TV droned on with some random show, but none of us were paying much attention. Rolo was hunched over his phone, furiously tapping away at his game. I could hear the faint sound of explosions and battle cries.
"Die, you scum!" Rolo muttered, his eyes locked on the screen.
Mose sat beside him, eagerly peeking over Rolo's shoulder. "Get him! You've almost got him!"
I tried to focus on the TV, but the constant cheering and exclamations from the other side of the room made it impossible. Sighing, I grabbed my phone and opened the game. Time to see what all the fuss was about.
Logging in, I navigated through the game's menu until I found Rolo's avatar, wreaking havoc on the digital battlefield. A devious grin spread across my face. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em… and then beat 'em.
Without hesitation, I launched a PVP attack on Rolo's character. The game notified him with a loud beep, and he froze.
"What the—?" Rolo glanced up at me, eyes wide with shock.
Mose's eyes darted between us, unsure whether to keep cheering for Rolo or switch sides. "Uh, who should I root for now?"
I smirked. "Get ready to taste defeat."
"Oh, it's on!" Rolo growled, his fingers dancing over the screen as he retaliated.
We engaged in a furious virtual battle, trading blows and insults. "Is that all you got, Shay?" Rolo taunted. "My grandma fights better than you!"
"Yeah, well, your grandma probably doesn't play dirty like you do!" I shot back, deploying a sneaky trap that made Rolo's character stumble.
Mose was torn, bouncing on the couch in excitement. "Come on, Rolo! Wait, no—Go, Shay! No, wait—"
Rolo's character unleashed a devastating attack, nearly wiping out my health bar. "Ha! Take that!"
"Not so fast," I countered, using a healing spell to bounce back and launch a counterattack. "You thought you had me, huh?"
The room was filled with the sounds of our virtual skirmish, Mose's enthusiastic cheers, and the occasional curse from Rolo when one of my attacks landed.
Just as the battle reached its climax, with both our avatars teetering on the brink of defeat, Mose stood up and threw his hands in the air. "I can't take it!"
With one final move, I managed to land a critical hit on Rolo's character, ending the match. "Victory!" I declared, pumping my fist in the air.
Rolo stared at his screen in disbelief. "You gotta be kidding me…"
Mose clapped his hands, torn between laughter and amazement. "That was epic!"
"Never underestimate a bored man," I said with a grin, leaning back on the couch.
Rolo shook his head, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Alright, you got me this time. But next time, it's war."
"Bring it on," I replied, feeling the adrenaline of our impromptu showdown still coursing through me.
As the room settled back into a more relaxed vibe, with Rolo muttering about rematches and Mose still buzzing from the excitement.
As the echoes of our virtual battle died down, Alex poked his head into the living room. "Dinner's ready, guys. Mose, you want some?"
Before Mose could respond, I jumped in. "You should stay, Mose. We're getting up early tomorrow anyway."
Mose hesitated, glancing between us. "I... I don't know. I don't want to impose."
Rolo, still smarting from his virtual defeat, saw an opportunity for revenge. "Yeah, Mose, where are you gonna sleep? We're fresh out of magic beds, you know."
With a straight face, I replied, "In your room, of course, Rolo."
Rolo's eyes widened in horror. "Oh, no way! My room is a no-Mose zone. That's a rule. A very strict rule."
I grinned, enjoying his discomfort. "Come on, it's the most logical option. You're the smallest. Plenty of space next to you."
Mose looked mortified. "Really, guys, I can just head home. It's fine."
Rolo crossed his arms. "Nope. Not happening. I'm not sharing my bed with him. No offense, Mose."
Mose raised his hands defensively. "None taken. I don't want to sleep in your room either!"
Alex, who had been listening with an amused expression, chimed in. "Why don't we just set up the couch for Mose? It's comfy enough, and he'll be right here in the living room."
I pretended to consider this, then nodded. "Fine. Mose, you take the couch. Rolo, you get to keep your precious room all to yourself."
Rolo threw his hands up in mock frustration. "Finally, some common sense."
Mose, looking relieved, smiled awkwardly. "Thanks, guys. The couch sounds perfect."
Alex clapped his hands together. "Alright, then. Dinner first. Sleeping arrangements later."
As we headed to the kitchen, Rolo muttered under his breath, "Next time, Shay, you're sleeping on the couch."
I laughed, giving him a playful nudge. "Sure thing, boss. Sure thing."
We settled down around the table, the aroma of Alex's cooking filling the room. Despite the teasing and the chaos, it felt good to have everyone together. We chatted and laughed, with Mose gradually relaxing and joining in the conversation. As the evening wore on, the bickering and jokes only served to strengthen the bond between us.
Later, after dinner, we set up the couch for Mose. Rolo watched with a smirk as we piled blankets and pillows onto it. "You'd better not snore, Mose. I need my beauty sleep."
Mose rolled his eyes. "I'll try to keep it down. No promises, though."
I chuckled, patting Mose on the back. "Welcome to the chaos, Mose. Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
With everything settled, we finally wound down for the night.
I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position, but the hushed whispers coming from Rolo's room kept me awake. What the hell? Why can't these two sleep?
With a sigh, I threw off the covers and got up to investigate. As I approached Rolo's door, the murmuring grew clearer. I pushed the door open slightly and peeked in.
There they were, Mose and Rolo, huddled together over a small, glowing artifact. Rolo was holding it up to the light, while Mose looked on with a mixture of curiosity and excitement. They looked like two unruly teenagers caught in the act.
"Really, guys?" I said, stepping into the room. "It's the middle of the night. What are you doing?"
Mose jumped, nearly knocking the artifact out of Rolo's hand. "Shay! We didn't mean to wake you."
Rolo shot me a grin.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "You two are like kids, I swear. Look, we have a big day tomorrow. This can wait. Go to bed."
Mose looked disappointed but nodded. "You're right. Sorry, Shay."
Rolo carefully put the artifact away. "Yeah, yeah. We'll sleep."
I pointed toward their respective beds. Yeah, well, Rolo's bed and the downstairs area. "Now, go. And no more whispering."
As I turned to leave, I heard Rolo mutter, "Yes, Dad."
I couldn't help but chuckle as I closed the door behind me. The irony wasn't lost on me. I did feel like a parent wrangling a couple of mischievous teenagers sometimes. With everyone finally settled, I headed back to my own bed, hoping for some peace and quiet.
But as I lay down again, I still couldn't sleep because the monster in me was persistently purring. Despite the chaos and the constant interruptions, it felt good to have them around.