Getting Familiar with Your Demon: That Old Black Magic, Book 4 by Jodi Redford Page A

and he turned to find her frowning at him. “You’re being stubborn again, Sam. Your life is in danger if you stay in Savannah. You know that.”
    “I’m not stupid. I’m fully aware my days are numbered.”
    Cass’s gaze became pleading. “They don’t have to be. Nik and I will talk to Mom. We’ll stash you—”
    “No. Do not involve Sonia in this.” His aunt was a force to be reckoned with, even on a good day. If she was made aware of the fact he’d broken his seal—and therefore tarnished the Gorasola family name—there would be hell to pay. Blood or not, he wouldn’t be surprised if she was infuriated enough to hand him over to Pricilla herself. He jabbed a finger in Cass’s direction. “ You don’t need to be involved in this shit either. Both of you are going back to your dad’s. I’ll figure out a plan on my own.” The last thing he needed was Tobias and Sonia breathing down his neck for involving their daughters in his mess. Pricilla and her henchmen were child’s play compared to his aunt and uncle.
    Nikki joined her sister in the center of the room. “We’re not going anywhere.” Eyes flashing with challenge, she tilted her chin at an obstinate angle. No doubt she was relishing the opportunity to throw his own words in his face.
    Frustration a snarling beast rattling at his cage, he paced the carpet. “This isn’t your fight.”
    Cass linked arms with Nikki. “Wanna bet?”
    For the love of everything unholy, was there a damn female on this planet who wasn’t determined to drive him out of his fucking mind?

Chapter Twelve
     
    Half an hour later, marginally refreshed from his shower, Sam walked into the kitchen. The feverlike chills and shakes that’d plagued him earlier were gone. He wished to the devil the same could be said for his massive headache, but at least it was something he could deal with.
    Cass had moved her quasi work base from the dining room to the kitchen island. She glanced up from her laptop and swept him with an appraising look as he ventured to the coffeemaker. A frown tweaked her brow. “You’re not glowing anymore.”
    “Isn’t that a good thing?”
    “Yeah, it’s just…weird.” She pillowed her chin in her hand. “Other than that, how are you feeling?”
    “Like I’ve got one mother of a hangover.”
    She gave a considering hum as she tapped the computer keys. “I’ve been digging deeper into the research, but so far no luck with what might be happening with your body’s odd reaction.”
    “Does it matter? My seal’s broken. It’s worth a damn headache for life, if it comes down to it.” Which, for all intents and purposes, might not be very long anyway. He snagged a mug from the cupboard and topped it off with the steaming coffee. He started to take a swallow but stalled short, giving the murky liquid in the cup a wary glance. “Your sister didn’t brew this, did she?”
    Cass snorted. “Please.” She held up a mug identical to his. “Would I be drinking this if she did? I’m not that much of a glutton for punishment.”
    Satisfied his gut wasn’t going to rebel at the contents about to be introduced to it, he gulped down a healthy swallow of the joe. His empty stomach made no further protest beyond a loud gurgle.
    “I sent Nikki out for food,” Cass said, obviously commiserating with his near-starved state. “Knowing her, she’ll bring back donuts and Mountain Dew. Breakfast of champions.” She rolled her eyes.
    He didn’t give a rat’s ass at this point. Hell, he was so damn hungry he’d eat a rat’s ass.
    Okay, maybe not. Ravenous or not, he did have his limits. The mug warming his hand, he joined Cass at the center island. While he kicked the stool back with his foot and straddled it, she offered him a strangely sly smile before returning her focus to the laptop screen. Five seconds later, she shot him another covert look. Lips twitching, she took a dainty sip of her coffee.
    He narrowed his eyes. “What?”
    “Oh,