Lukas spends the next fifteen minutes clinging to me and doting on me as if I’m the center of his universe. It’s easily the most embarrassing experience of my entire life. My cheeks burn, and I avoid making eye contact with anyone in the room while Lukas chats easily, somehow managing to charm everyone while simultaneously ensuring all his attention seems laser focused on me. I spend the entire time mentally cursing and complaining to him.
*You had better get some useful information out of this*, I grumble silently.
*And I’m DEFINITELY getting drunk tonight. You’re buying the alcohol, AND the ice cream. WITH sprinkles. Don’t even try to skimp on the sprinkles.* I know I’m being demanding and whiny, particularly since honestly coming here was just as much for me as for him. But I’m SURE he could have found a way to make this work without clinging all over me. Lukas doesn’t react outwardly to my endless complaints, but I catch the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. His hand, which has been resting on my hip for what feels like an eternity, starts tracing little circles, and it’s the final straw. I can’t take it anymore. Without thinking, I impulsively launch myself out of his lap and into the middle of the room. All conversation stops, and every single pair of eyes in the room turns to me. My face feels like it’s on fire.
“Sorry… I need the bathroom.” I stammer out awkwardly, my voice far too loud. Lukas, of course, doesn’t miss a beat. He stands up smoothly, his expression the picture of calm.
“You’re not the only one. Mind showing me where it is?” He says, taking my hand again like this is all perfectly normal.
*What are you doing? This excuse was awkward enough when it was just me!* I practically shout in my mind, feeling my mortification double. Lukas doesn’t respond, just gives my hand a gentle squeeze as we make our way through the house to the bathroom. Once we’re there, he pulls me inside and locks the door behind us. Guess it’s a good thing I don’t ACTUALLY need the bathroom.
“Your aunt, she’s involved. Definitely involved. I only managed to look in her mind briefly, but I caught Solem’s name. I’m sorry…” He trails off, his tone heavy with sympathy. I blink, processing his words. I should be upset, outraged, even, but honestly? Hearing that Aunt Daisy is mixed up in something sketchy is the least surprising outcome of this trip.
“Do you know if any of my other family members are involved?” I ask after a moment. Lukas shakes his head.
“I can’t be sure. Do you think they could be?” He asks gently. I sigh, leaning back against the bathroom counter.
“It’s hard to say. My mother always goes along with whatever Aunt Daisy wants, so she might agree. My father… He’s less easily led, but it depends on what’s being offered. Uncle Lance never seems to have a choice in anything, he just goes along with what everyone else wants. Julian…” I pause, my voice faltering.
“I don’t know him well enough to be sure. But… I really hope he isn’t involved.” I admit. My brother and I have never been close, but I’d like to think that Laura isn’t my only decent family member. Lukas nods, his expression thoughtful.
“So, what do we do?” He asks. I shrug helplessly, my voice quiet.
“I don’t know. But between the two of us, we’re developing some serious trust issues when it comes to family.” I comment sadly. Lukas offers a faint, humorless smile.
“If your aunt is involved, then she already knows we’re involved. So there’s not much harm in trying to talk to her, is there?” He points out.
“Except that she’s a powerful and talented witch, and neither of us could fight her if it came down to it.” I remind him. He frowns, conceding the point.
“That’s true… But if the rest of your family doesn’t know what she’s up to, would she try to keep it from them?” He questions.
“Probably, reputation is everything to her.” I admit reluctantly. Lukas’s expression brightens slightly as an idea seems to take root.
“So, if we confronted her here, now… Unless she wanted everyone in your family to know, she couldn’t do much, right?” He says urgently.
“That’s… incredibly risky.” I say nervously, my stomach twisting at the thought.
“But worth a try?” Lukas presses, his gaze steady. I sigh heavily, already regretting the decision I’m about to make.
“Fine… But if this all goes wrong, I’m blaming you.” I grumble.
“Fair enough.” Lukas answers grinning. This is so going to turn out badly.
We exit the bathroom only to find my brother standing in the hallway, arms crossed and one eyebrow raised in that classic older brother look of disbelief.
“I didn’t realise it took two people to use the bathroom these days.” Julian comments dryly.
“I think Aunt Daisy might actually have a heart attack if she finds out you two are making excuses to go off and canoodle in there.” His tone is teasing, but the implications are enough to make me flush red again. Damn it. Lukas, of course, doesn’t miss a beat. He steps closer to me, his arm slipping effortlessly around my waist like it belongs there.
“Sorry about that.” He says, his tone oddly sincere.
“Part of the whole mind reader thing. I don’t often find people who are willing to get close to me. I’m just… Enjoying the contact while I can.” He says cheerfully, but there’s something about the way he says it, he sounds almost wistful and it makes me pause. Is he… Being honest? I glance at him briefly, but his expression is calm, unreadable as always. Julian nods, the teasing look on his face replaced by something more thoughtful.
“I can understand that.” Julian admits, his voice softer.
“What I don’t understand is what the two of you are up to.” His playful tone disappears entirely, replaced with a sharpness that catches me off guard.
“Well, as you said, I just wanted to spend a little extra time with Clare.” Lukas replies smoothly, offering Julian a self deprecating smile.
“I suppose I got a little carried away.” Lukas shrugs. Julian rolls his eyes.
“Please. Don’t treat me like I’m an idiot. My sister hates public displays of affection. Even in those sappy romance movies she loves, she gets irritated when people are put on the spot. There’s no way you two are a real couple. And even if you were, Clare wouldn’t bring you back here to flaunt you in front of our parents. She would hide you away like everything else she cares about.” He crosses his arms, his gaze locking firmly on mine.
“So what in the world are you both doing here, and what do you want?” He demands. I blink, stunned into silence. Julian’s never been this direct with me before, at least, not in a way that made me feel like he actually… Noticed me.
“I… Never realised you paid all that much attention to the things I like.” I stammer, still reeling. To my utter shock, Lukas smiles, clearly pleased. It makes no sense. Why is he happy that we’ve just been completely caught out?
“Of course I’m happy.” Lukas explains, answering my thoughts out loud.
“Your brother cares about you. This is good news.” He says cheerfully.
“Huh?” Julian says, his brows furrowed in confusion.
“Of course I care about Clare. She’s the only sane one in this family. And the only one brave enough to walk away. I always wished I had the guts to do that.” He says, a hint of jealousy in his tone.
I freeze, utterly floored by his words. Julian… Admires me? Wishes he were more like me? I always thought the exact opposite. He’s better at magic, he’s what our parents wanted me to be, he’s-
“Clare? Is something wrong?” Julian asks, his voice tinged with concern. Before I can respond, Lukas taps my hip gently, drawing me back to the moment.
“She’s having a crisis. Clare thought you didn’t like her all that much.” Lukas says bluntly. I whirl on him, mortified.
*Some thoughts are PRIVATE. Even if I DID say you could listen in, that doesn’t mean you get to TELL people.* I scold him silently. Lukas looks appropriately chastised, his expression softening with guilt.
“Sorry, you’re right. This matter is none of my business. I shouldn’t have said anything.” He says quietly. He looks so much like a kicked puppy that my irritation wavers.
*I know you’re only trying to help.* I admit, and Lukas cracks a small, relieved smile. Julian clears his throat, drawing our attention back to him.
“Seriously, though. I want to know what’s going on.” He insists. Lukas turns to me, his expression serious.
“Can we trust him?” He asks aloud, his voice low. I hesitate, torn. Julian frowns, clearly hurt by the hesitation, but then he sighs deeply, his shoulders slumping.
“Okay, I get it. I never exactly stood up for you much when we were kids. I told you, you're the brave one, not me.” He says, his voice laced with reluctant honesty. He pauses, his brow furrowing as if weighing a difficult decision. Finally, with a resigned groan, he turns to Lukas and holds out his hand.
“Still want that handshake?”