The Scarlet Dagger

by J. E. Cluney

Crap. Alcohol was dumb.

  “Don’t cry. I’m not stealing him!” Trish stated as she sat up straight, fixing her hair as she pushed Skip away from her.

  This just made me laugh as Ollie guided Hayley to sit beside me.

  I could tell most of my mates were at least tipsy through our bond, but the alcohol had dampened most things.

  Ollie was just past tipsy but managing, Lucas was roughly the same, while Skip was beyond that. Marcus’ buzz hadn’t lasted long, since his vampire side quelled it quickly once he stopped drinking.

  “Water for the ladies,” Lucas said as he clicked his fingers, and a jug of water and plastic cups soared into the room.

  I smirked knowingly at his choice of plastic for our drunk arses.

  “I don’t need water. I need more cocktails and wine!” Trish declared, pulling a face as a cup of water floated over to her.

  “Gran, just drink it. You’ll thank us tomorrow,” Hayley groaned out as she lolled her head back on the lounge.

  Ollie darted off into the kitchen, returning with chips and chocolates for us to enjoy.

  I dove in once Marcus released me and offered me the floating cup of water, which I downed slowly before reaching for some potato chips from the bowl Ollie had gotten.

  I added a Freddo to it, enjoying the salty and sweet mix as Trish begrudgingly drank her water.

  “Tell me, how do you youngins meet people these days? This old fart might be a widow, but sometimes, I miss a man’s touch,” Trish said on a sigh as she attempted to set her cup on the floor and nearly toppled off the lounge. Skip caught her just in time and pulled her back, and she happily nestled into his side like a delighted puppy.

  “Tinder,” Skip stated. “For supes.”

  “There’s a supe one?” Trish gasped out, her face lighting up like an innocent child and making me snort back laughter.

  “Yep. Let’s get you one set up.” Skip grinned as he haphazardly sifted through Trish’s purse and fished out her phone.

  “Jesus, I can see this going well,” Lucas remarked as he sat down on the floor with Ollie, while Marcus took up leaning on the doorframe to the kitchen.

  “Tell me about it,” Hayley said, snickering as she reached for some chocolates.

  I continued enjoying the food and drinking water as Skip helped my grandmother set up a supe Tinder account. Watching the pair of them giggling like children had me and Hayley snickering.

  “Hey, weren’t you meeting up with the others for Nightwood tonight?” I turned to Marcus, the thought breaking through my intoxicated haze.

  “We will later. I told them I was out. I’ll head there around one in the morning,” Marcus said, giving me a gentle smile as I beamed at him like a child.

  “What’s the time?” Hayley asked. “We were at the club a while.”

  “A bit before midnight,” Lucas answered as he took off his suit jacket and helped himself to some of the goodies on offer.

  “So what photos should I use?” Trish asked loudly as she began scrolling through her small photo album.

  “Mmm, I’ve got some,” Hayley said through a mouthful of chips as she felt around for her phone in her bag.

  I snorted as she closed one eye to focus as she went through her photos.

  Trish squealed when her phone pinged with messages from her, and Skip complimented them.

  “They’ll be perfect! Let’s do this,” Skip said and waggled his eyebrows, causing Trish to burst into laughter as he took her phone and got to work.

  We chimed in when he asked for thoughts on her bio.

  “Fun-loving old fart with a taste for adventure. Only in Australia for a few more weeks. Loves my drinks, have grandkids, werewolf. Don’t piss me off or I’ll clip off your balls,” Trish babbled, listing off things on her fingers.

  “Don’t you dare write old fart!” Hayley gasped out.

  “As if I would! Besides, she’s not that old,” Skip stated as he typed up a bio.

  “Aw, you’re sweet,” Trish cooed, patting his check with a starry look in her eyes.

  I hiccuped, causing Ollie and Lucas to snigger, while Hayley fell into a fit of giggles as my hiccups only worsened.

  I groaned, my chest hurting with each successive hiccup as I tried to drink water to be rid of them.

  The build-up in my chest made me pull a face, and I wasn’t able to cover the loud burp that escaped with a myriad of bubbles.

  That was all it took.

  Trish and Hayley lost it, laughing like drunk teens, while Skip was nearly in tears. Everyone was laughing as I hung my head in shame, still hiccuping.

  The bubbles floated around the room, and when the first one popped, Trish wailed with donkey laughs as the exploding bubble screeched like a dying cat.

  One after the other, they popped and screeched, and I just mumbled in defeat.

  Guess being drunk meant my mischief magic went haywire.

  This was only confirmed when a crunch caught my attention, and I moved my gaze to the bowl of chips.

  The chips had grown limbs and were clambering out of the bowl, sauntering around on small, crispy, drunken legs.

  “Oh my god,” Hayley gasped out, tears running down her face now.

  The packets of Freddos started tearing themselves open, and I watched, completely caught up in shock, as the little frogs began bouncing around the room and having drunken fistfights with the chips.

  “Eat them quickly!” Trish cried out as she threw herself forward, snatching up chips and Freddos and shoving them in her mouth.

  We laughed and scrambled to capture the assorted mischief magicked creations, as I was too drunk to even attempt to withdraw my magic.

  It took a few minutes, with Skip rolling around on the floor while Hayley and Trish sat together like gigging schoolgirls, before we’d salvaged the situation.

  Even Marcus had partaken in rescuing us from the magicked junk food.

  “These damn pixies, always causing a stir,” Trish said, winking at me as she stretched her legs out in front of her and leaned back on the lounge while on the floor. Hayley did the same, and Skip dragged himself back onto the lounge.

  “Now, where were we?” Skip cleared his throat as he picked up Trish’s phone.

  I giggled as I moved to sit on the floor beside my grandmother, who slung an arm around my shoulder and then one around Hayley’s.

  “You girls are going to achieve great things, you know that? Allison, you have some amazing mates here,” she said as she gave me a loving smile. “And Hayley, I hope Daniel ends up being the right one for you, but you may still yet find a true mate.”

  “Gran,” Hayley said, rolling her eyes, but she giggled when Trish kissed her cheek.

  “I love you both so much. All I want is for my family to be happy.” Trish sighed as she rested her head on Hayley’s shoulder.

  “We are,” I assured her.

  “And now you can be too!” Skip declared as he handed Trish her phone. “You’re all set up. Now you just have to get to swiping right!”

  “Oooh! This seems fun!” Trish exclaimed as she inspected the first man that popped up.

  “This says he’s thirty-two! You didn’t set the correct age range.” Hayley snorted.

  “I think that’s a splendid age range,” Trish argued.

  “I’m letting her have her fun,” Skip said with a smirk.

  “Says he likes the beach, works full-time…” Trish struggled to read the screen before she accepted defeat and put her glasses on. “Oh, he’s a dingo shifter too!”

  “You have to swipe right if you like them, left if you want to pass on them,” Hayley explained.

  “That’s it?” Trish frowned.

  “Yep, if they swipe right as well, a chat will be started,” Hayley said, then shot me an amused look.

  “Wow, technology these days. Well, might as well give myself the best pool size,” Trish said as she stuck her tongue out in determination.

  Hayley and I burst into crazed laughter as
she began frantically swiping right, not bothering to read through any profiles.

  “Oh! I got a match!” Trish squealed after a moment.

  “That was quick,” Skip remarked.

  I looked over at Lucas and Ollie, who were watching us in amusement.

  “Well, you guys have fun. I have to head off,” Marcus said, shaking his head at our antics.

  “Okay, love you,” I said, and Marcus flitted over to kneel down and give me a quick kiss.

  “You guys take care of her and make sure they all keep drinking water,” Marcus said as he shot a look at my other mates.

  “Of course,” Ollie said quickly, appalled at the assumption that they’d not assist us.

  Marcus headed off as Trish began laughing almost hysterically.

  “I got another match!” she said gleefully, and I leaned over to see her screen.

  I burst into giggles as the message popped up.

  ‘Are you a banana? Cause I find you a peeling.’

  “Bonus points for creativity,” Trish said and cackled as she checked out his profile.

  Brad was a thirty-six-year-old man with an obvious love for older women.

  Of course my grandmother was being sought out by cougar hunters.

  “Not that creative,” Hayley said with a shrug, but Trish ignored her.

  “He’s handsome. Bit young, but I can work with that,” Trish said, snickering. “Bet he can give me a real good time, if you know what I mean.”

  “Gran!” Hayley smacked her arm playfully.

  “Hey, I’ve been without a man’s touch long enough. Surely you’ll let me have some fun,” she chortled. “Ohh, another match!”

  ‘There’s something wrong with my phone. It doesn’t have your number in it.’

  I snorted at James’ message.

  Trish checked his profile, clucking her tongue at the topless photo of the witch.

  “Yep, I’m sure he could make my night magical,” she joked.

  “You’re killing me,” Hayley groaned out.

  I was enjoying it, and I watched as Trish sent back messages to the two men, asking them how their night was going.

  ‘Be better if you were here ;)’ was Brad’s response.

  ‘Heaps better now that I’m talking to a sexy thing like you,’ was James’.

  “Well, they know how to make a woman feel wanted,” Trish said with a grin as she typed back more messages.

  I giggled as she conversed with them, flirting lightly with both.

  But I lost my shit when Brad asked how flexible she was and if she’d be content with being done over the kitchen counter.

  ‘Depends on the package you’re offering down there.’ Trish smirked as she shot the message back.

  “Whoa boy!” Hayley gasped out as a dick pic popped up on Trish’s phone.

  Trish cackled as she inspected the dick, and I looked away as Skip gave an impressed sound.

  “I’d say he’d give you plenty of fun with that thing if you let him,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Let me see it!” Lucas demanded as he pushed up off the floor and joined Skip on the lounge behind us. Ollie followed, his curiosity winning out.

  “Yep, you should hit that,” Lucas stated.

  “That’s my grandmother!” I blurted as Hayley gave him a disbelieving look.

  “And if she wants a fun night, Brad here should do the job. Just wear protection and be safe,” Lucas said with a wink. A peek in his mind revealed he doubted my grandmother would actually do such a thing.

  Oh how wrong he was.

  “So it’s a hook-up app mainly, right?” Trish’s smile grew as her eyes glittered with delight.

  “Yes, and I think you’ve had enough fun for the night,” Hayley scolded her as she reached for the phone.

  “Never! I’m over twice your age, kiddo. And I want to see how this man will treat such a fine specimen such as myself,” Trish said, waggling her eyebrows.

  “Absolutely not!” Hayley folded her arms as she shook her head.

  “Not up to you. Besides, I’ve got Lucas’ number. If I get into a pickle, he can portal there and whisk my arse home,” Trish said defiantly.

  “Hey, I was only joking, Trish. I don’t think you need to go out tonight,” Lucas said with a snort, rethinking his earlier words.

  “Well I want to. I’ve had a great night. And this old hag could use a nice night with a sexy young man. Besides, I can fend for myself. I’m still a wolf.” She grinned and winked at him.

  “I think Hayley is right—you should call it a night,” Skip said, causing my grandmother to give him some serious stink eye.

  “Listen here, Skippy boy, I may seem old, but I can easily own you boys in a fight. How about I take you on, and if I win, I get to go ride Brad’s dick?” she challenged.

  “Holy fuck,” I gasped out, shaking my head at my clearly overzealous and drunk grandmother.

  “You want to fight me?” Skip arched a brow at her.

  “What? Too scared you’ll get your arse handed to you by an old lady?” Trish threw back, causing Lucas to snigger.

  “I’m not fighting you,” Skip groaned out.

  “Too chicken, aye?” Trish puffed up as she struggled to her feet.

  “No, I just won’t fight a drunk woman,” Skip said with a smirk. “Now how about I make you a coffee or something?”

  “How about you shove your coffee up your arse and let me go get me some sexy man-flesh?” Trish said and cackled.

  “Gran, time to call it a night,” Hayley said on a sigh as she rose.

  “Why are you all so determined to stop me? I’m not some fragile old lady!” Trish grumbled as she waved Hayley off.

  “’Cause you’re drunk,” I stated.

  “I’m not even that drunk, missy moo,” she said, wagging a finger at me. “I can hold my alcohol pretty well.”

  “Walk in a straight line then,” Lucas suggested.

  Trish accepted the challenge, and surprisingly, she walked a steady line across the lounge room before reaching the far side and smirking back at us.

  “Damn,” Lucas muttered.

  “See? More sober than you think. Now let me go out,” she demanded.

  Skip looked to Hayley and I for assistance.

  Could we really stop her? She seemed pretty determined, and at her age, we weren’t exactly in a position to say no.

  “Bedtime, Gran,” Hayley ground out.

  “You’re no fun,” Trish said with a pout. “At least you get good coyote d—”

  “Stop!” Hayley threw up her hands.

  “Can she actually take care of herself?” I murmured as Hayley shot me a despairing look.

  “I’m old enough to take care of myself. I have my phone if I get into any trouble,” Trish stated. “How about you let me go if Lucas puts some tracking spell or something on me?”

  I looked to Lucas while Hayley turned to him too.

  “I mean, I could. I could put one on her that will alert me if she’s feeling scared or fearful or in danger?” he asked on a sigh.

  “Then do it and let me be free!” Trish declared triumphantly like she was bailing on an army.

  “Fine, whatever. You’re too full on. But I’m calling Mom and telling her too,” Hayley grumbled.

  “Whatever. That woman was more wild than me when she was younger. I bet you’d love to know just what she got up to and how she met your father. Oof, those wicked stories I heard, and the trip to the emergency r—”

  “That’s it! I’m going to bed!” Hayley said, cutting her off as she covered her ears.

  I just shook my head as Lucas rose, checking with me before he laid the spell on my grandmother.

  At least this would keep her safe, since it didn’t seem we could stop her.

  ‘I mean, I could just carry her to bed,’ Skip stated.

  ‘She’d probably try to make you join her,’ Lucas said with a snicker.

  I knew my grandmother would respect our mating bond though. I jus
t wanted her to be safe.

  “Well toodles, kiddos. Brad will pick me up out the front. You have a splendid night, and I’ll tell you all about it first thing in the morning.” Trish gave us a wicked grin as she strutted out before turning back and snatching up her heels.

  “Brad is getting in way over his head,” Ollie remarked, having been rather silent through the whole thing.

  “I’ll make sure she stays safe, don’t worry,” Lucas assured Hayley and I.

  “Right,” Hayley said, rolling her eyes as she shot off a text. “I’m still telling Mom. It’s a bit late, so I’ll call her in the morning.”

  “I think we should all call it a night,” Lucas said as I stifled a yawn. I was still woozy and enjoying myself, but sleep was sneaking up on me.

  So much for having fun tonight like Skip had promised.

  ‘I can still see that through,’ he said seductively.

  It was tempting as all hell.

  “I think you need sleep,” Lucas said as he rose and helped me stand up.

  “Amen to that. Nighty night, boys.” Hayley waved as she picked up her heels and headed off down the hall.

  “I think the three of us could still have a little bit of fun,” I teased as I wrapped my arms around Lucas and snuggled into his chest. God, he smelled so good. So fruity and delicious, I could just eat him up.

  He groaned at the thought, and I moved to kiss him, my lips meeting his in a tender, intoxicated touch.

  “We can give you snuggles,” Skip said as he and Ollie rose.

  “Naked snuggles?” I asked hopefully, causing them to snort and snicker.

  “Fine,” Lucas said, caving easily, and I squealed as he whisked me up into his arms to take me to bed.

  ‘That’s no fair,’ Marcus grumbled into my mind.

  ‘You’re the one who chose to leave,’ I shot back playfully, causing him to growl in frustration.

  He could have his way with me tomorrow.

  Lucas carried me into his room, magicking the door behind Ollie and Skip so it would be soundproof, whilst making the bed bigger for us to all clamber onto.

  “What does our Cupcake want?” Lucas asked as he set me down on the edge of the bed.

  I cocked my head at the trio as I mulled over my options.

  “I want a strip tease from all of you to start with,” I demanded.

  “My pleasure,” Skip said instantly as he began to strip down slowly, thrusting and rocking his hips like a pro.