Between Shadow & Ruin (Fangs & Fae Saga Book 2)

eleven.

Ten Years Later.

I took a deep breath, breathing in Val's scent as she slept. The kids were starting to wake up, which meant there was only going to be a few more seconds of silence. Knock, knock, knock. I heard the doorknob turn but we'd had to start locking the door. Light from Ava's magic shined through from the other side of the door and I heard the lock click.

"Mommy! Momma!" she and Noah yelled, jumping into the bed.

"Kids, you can't just use your magic to unlock our door. That's an invasion of privacy," I said, quietly.

"We're sorry, Momma! We missed Mommy! We haven't seen her in a week!" Ava yelled.

"I know, she came home really late last night, but honey, Mommy's still sleeping. Please, keep your voices down."

"No, I'm awake..." Val said, turning over to face me and the kids. She gave them kisses and then gave me mine.

"Ick..." the two of them said.

"That's what happens you wake your moms up from sleeping..." I said, tickling the two of them. Val got up to use the bathroom. The two of them snuggled into Val's pillow and pushed themselves into me, forcing me to put my arm around them. They were starting to fall asleep again as I saw them glow. "Ava, Noah. You have to get ready for school. Don't go back to sleep," I said, lightly shaking their bodies. They groaned as they headed back to their rooms to get ready for class. I laid back in bed, and grabbed my phone to check my schedule for the day. Val returned from the bathroom and straddled my lap. She pushed my phone out of my hand and gave me a kiss.

"Good morning, Magister," she said. I rolled my eyes.

"I still have a few hours until the ceremony, Val..."

"Yeah, yeah..." She gave me another kiss.

"The twins have learned to unlock our door. You're going to need a new spell or we're never going to have sex again..." I laughed.

"Well, that would be unfortunate, wouldn't it?" She raised an eyebrow and gave me a coy look. I cupped her cheek and kissed her lightly.

"What the fuck!? Ava, Noah! What were you doing in my room!?" I heard Odie slam his door shut. Val got off my lap and I ran towards the door.

"Odie! It's six AM." I scolded him. He opened his door slowly.

"I told you not to call me that anymore, Momma."

"Sorry, Odell. Watch your language and your volume. You're going to disturb the entire neighborhood!"

"Ava and Noah keep going into my room and getting into my stuff. What are you going to do about it?" I took a breath. "What did they get into?" I asked, trying to calm him. He looked embarrassed.

"...It's not even important. I just want them to stop going into my room!"

"They learned how to unlock doors. So, I understand... In the meantime, just get ready for class. You three are leaving early, your teachers already know."

Chris walked out of his room in a dress shirt and slacks.

"Sounds like we officially have a teenager..." he said, rolling his eyes.

"Was I really that fucking annoying at fifteen? Jeez..." He gave me a kiss as we laughed. "If Odette were here, she'd probably tell me I was worse."

"How are you feeling?" he asked, as we walked back into my room.

"A little nervous."

"I bet. I am, too."

"Are you sure you're ready to be the Sheriff? I can give it to someone else."