Courting Darkness (Fae Revealed, #1)

by Katie May

Maddox pops his head back into the room. “By the way, Sparkles, I ate your cupcakes since you took forever. Key lime is still the best, you know, and they only had the one left.” I dart from the room after him, heedless of the bathroom supplies that topple to the ground behind me. “Mom!” I scream. No one messes with my cupcakes. He’s going to pay, and dearly. “Start planning the funeral and break out the bleach! You’re down one kid, and it’s gonna get bloody.”

🤣

I resist the urge to fling myself at him and nuzzle his cheek. Yeah, it’s in my wolf nature to cuddle my family, but it’s in their nature to beat the shit out of me for it. Don’t cuddle your brother. Cuddle your brother. Don’t cuddle your brother. Cuddle— A grin unfurls on Xander’s lips as he watches the internal struggle in my eyes. After a moment, he dips his chin in the universal “get over here” expression, and I don’t need to be told twice.

Oh my gosh, he’s adorable 🥰 😍

Why am I not surprised that the first thing my dad says when we set our eyes upon the new house is, “I think this is far enough away for no one to hear the screams?”

Bahahaha

“Pssttt.” My father leans forward conspiratorially, lowering his voice so as to not be overheard by my older brothers. “On the second floor, there’s a room with a bay window seat that is screaming your name.” “On it.” Biting my lip to hide my grin, I turn towards my brothers and bat my eyelashes sweetly. “Maddox, could you—” Before I can even finish my question, I throw my suitcase at Caleb and then sweep my feet out to catch the backs of Maddox’s ankles. Caleb grunts, not having expected my blow, and Maddox falls to his ass. Laughing maniacally, I run away from them and practically throw myself over the railing to the stairs, taking them two at a time. Behind me, I can hear my mother whacking my father while reprimanding him about “over-exerting” me as well as yelling comments at my brothers about being “unprepared.”

Oh my gosh, I love her 😂

I finally understand how Anna feels in Frozen. I might even burst into song like a dramatic ass bitch. But instead of, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” it’ll be, “Do You Want to Stab Your Brothers?”

Shouldering past me and Maddox, he places one arm on the counter and flashes his signature charming grin. Or at least what he thinks is a charming grin. He doesn’t believe me when I say he resembles a pervert driving an old van and offering candy to children at a park.

🤣

“Order for Jenkins,” he says, and the girl looks up, her eyes widening when she takes in my brother standing above her. His smile broadens, his lashes fluttering as if he’s the one with a seizure disorder, and he begins to tap his fingers against the counter. “Do you need my number for confirmation of the order? Because I can give it to a pretty thing like you.” Oh gag me.

🤣🤣🤣

“One, don’t start a fight, but if you have to fight, make sure you finish it. Two, if you have to fight, make sure they bleed. Three, if you really have to kill someone, do it in private so it’s easier to hide the body.” I finish ticking our family rules off on my fingertips, and my mother gives me a beaming smile of approval. “Good. Though technically, you forgot that you’re supposed to finish the fight without gaining any injuries yourself,” she reminds me, tugging the skirt of my baby blue wrap dress so that it lies straight against the white tights covered in blue flower petals I’m wearing. “You know, most moms would be telling me to make friends or not lose my lunch money, not reminding me that you’re happy to help me dispose of the bodies of my enemies.”

Oh gosh, their family is SO weird and I LOVE it 😂

“Seriously, kid, how old are you?” She snaps the words at me, her hands going to her hips. Ohhh. Is this my first mean girl? I honest-to-God get tingles in my stomach. I’ve faced off with my fair share of bullies before I left school five years ago, so I’m looking forward to the challenge she presents.

😆

Yes, I’m short, but it doesn’t mean I’m a little kid.” The number of times that phrase has left my mouth is far too high. Maybe I should get business cards printed…

“I’m just teaching my locker a lesson.” Foster laughs before reaching out, tugging sharply on the handle. The damn thing pops right open, and I scowl at it. “Just have to have the right touch,” he tells me smugly. “Seriously? A misogynistic locker? That doesn’t bode well for my future here.”

You’re too cute to be a super nerd.” “Too cute?” I spin around to face him, reveling in his bright red cheeks. “Err…” He scratches absently at the back of his neck while shifting from foot to foot. “What I meant was…well…you’re not cute!” he blurts out. His eyes immediately widen into saucers, horror etched across his handsome face. “I didn’t mean it like that. Because you are cute…like a bunny. Because bunnies are cute. I eat bunnies. I want to eat you. Wait! That sounds bad! I’m not a cannibal, promise. I just meant—”

Bahahahaha

“Maddox?” Devyn’s rumbling voice reverberates through me. “Who the fuck is Maddox?” “Her brother,” Xander pipes in quickly, a bark of laughter escaping him. “Simmer down.” “Don’t want you walking alone,” Devyn says on a growl, still glaring at me. He folds his muscular arms over his chest and settles his feet shoulder width apart. I wonder if it’s his power pose—the position he places himself in when he wants to feel imperious and in control.

Ooookaaay. So, hot, grumpy, possessive guys are more of a thing to me than I originally thought 😆😍

Yeah, that’s my family. Other people have little cat knick-knacks or coat racks on their wall. My family? We have weapons racks carefully spaced throughout the house, along with the hidden weapons that we’re all taught the location of.

“Who the fuck are you?” the busty blonde asks with a snarl. “The ass that just keeps giving,” I call absently over my shoulder as I continue to drag Kian away. And then, because I just can’t help myself, I bring a single finger to my ass and release a sizzling sound.

Oh gosh, I love her 😂

Gage grunts out a laugh behind me, and I kick him in the shins without even needing to turn around. That laughter immediately turns into a pained wheeze. “Oops,” I deadpan as Foster cackles. “My leg slipped.” Rough hands grab at my sides, but before I can fight back, his fingers race up and down my ribs and stomach. Tickling me. This fucker is tickling me. Someone is going to pay in blood. “Gage!” I squeal as laughter bubbles up in me, his fingers finding a particularly ticklish spot. His pine scent surrounds me as he pulls me against his chest, his fingers still skimming my sides. “Sorry,” he says, his voice a delicious growl. “My hands slipped.” “Your face is going to slip in acid if you don’t stop tickling me!”

Bahahaha

He pauses before adding, “And Tristan’s middle name is Leslie.” “Traitor!” Tristan bellows. A smile unfurls on my lips. “Thank you, Foster. And this is why you’re officially my favorite.” Tristan stands up so fast, he accidentally rams his nose against Foster’s butt, causing the other man to yelp in alarm. Gage swivels his head around to glare at me as well, his nostrils flaring. “What?” Tristan all but whines. “No fair! Why is he your favorite?” “Because he called me beautiful,” I say with a shrug, biting down on my lip to contain my smile. “I call you beautiful all the time,” Gage says, puffing out his chest.

“Damn, man,” Tristan breathes. “That was smooth.” Gage perks up instantly. “Does this mean I’m your new favorite?” he asks me, and I laugh.

😆🥰