Ethan was practically skipping across the room as he entered the kitchen and hugged Fox. “Of course you’re keeping him! It’s crazy to think you wouldn’t—whoa!” Ethan suddenly released Fox and took a step backward. “Tingly.”
“What’s wrong?” Marcus demanded. He took a step toward the breakfast bar like he meant to leap it to get to Ethan’s side. Fox backpedaled, holding both hands up. He didn’t fucking do anything to the fledgling vampire.
“Nothing. I…” Ethan paused and looked at his hands for a second and then over at Fox. “You know how River and Wyatt feel different to me because they’re werewolves? Fox feels different too, but not like the wolves.”
“What do I feel like?” Fox asked.
“Like I was hugging an electric current. Not shocking, but sort of like you’re buzzing with energy.”
“What do the wolves feel like?”
“Heat. They just always feel warm to me and green. Not that I can even explain what green feels like.” Ethan turned his eyes on his mate and glared while waving his hand in the air. “If this is my vampiric power, I swear this is the lamest power.”
“What about vampires?” Fox pressed, his heart starting to pick up its pace a little as he stared at the disgruntled blond.
“Not much really, but if I had to say something, then it would be cool. Like a cool breeze on a summer day.”
“Fox?” Winter prodded when Fox could only stare at the man beside him.
Fox shook his head, trying to order his thoughts. “I get those same feelings. Shifters are hot and vampires are cold. Witches are just energy, but they also smell like burning sage to me. Or burning something.”
Ethan leaned in and sniffed Fox. “Nope. Cologne.”
“What are you thinking?” Marcus asked.
“That maybe Ethan has some latent witch genes. Maybe someone far down his family tree was a witch. The vampire blood might have activated those genes.”
“I could be a vampire and a witch? That would be so awesome!” Fox could only stare openmouthed as Ethan did a quick little dance in the kitchen before swinging back to Fox, grabbing both of his arms. “Could you teach me some magic?”
“I’m sorry.” Fox winced. Disappointment lanced through him, but he did his best to push it away. He’d already tried to get rid of his powers, and it was only because of Winter that he was still technically a witch.
“Oh, shit! Sorry. I forgot. We’ll just have to find another witch to teach us both!” Ethan announced, his happiness undeterred.
“Weren’t you just recently bitching about how hard it was to learn to be a vampire?” Winter inquired. Fox glanced at his lover to find him looking torn between amusement and exasperation. Marcus was just confused.
Ethan made a face at Winter as he released Fox. “Only because you and your brothers were so determined to make it sound easy. It’s not easy, but I’ve got this shit down. I’m even going three days between feedings now.”
“Awww…your big-boy fangs are coming in,” Winter teased.
Fox made a choking noise as he tried to stop the laugh that attempted to erupt. Ethan just flipped him off.
Marcus groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. Fox was starting to feel pity for the vampire. He’d not been happy when he arrived, and now he was looking completely overwhelmed. “I need to sit.” He started toward the living room, then stopped and sighed heavily. “Do I even want to sit?”
“Go!” Winter smirked, waving one hand toward the couch. “It’s fine. We haven’t fucked there…recently.”
Marcus continued and Ethan snickered as he hurried over to his mate’s side. They both snuggled up together on one end of the couch, with Marcus tucking the smaller man impossibly close, as if Fox’s words had somehow put the man in danger.
Fox walked into the living room with Winter, but the vampire kept his body between Fox and Marcus. Fox gave him a little shove and huffed.
“Stop. Marcus is your brother, and he loves you. He’s not going to attack me in your home,” Fox admonished.
Pain flashed across Marcus’s face as his eyes darted up to Winter’s face, but it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared. “I can only deal with one thing at a time,” Marcus muttered and turned his attention to Fox. “You think Ethan is a witch.”
Fox shrugged before sitting in the chair opposite Marcus. Winter sat on the arm. Whether he realized it or not, he was still placing his body between Fox and his brother. Fox couldn’t decide whether he wanted to smack him or hug him. For now, he had to ignore it.
“I don’t know. I just find it weird that we have the exact same reactions to the other species. It could be a coincidence.”
“I don’t believe in coincidences,” Winter mumbled.
“And even if he has some witch in him, there’s no telling if he can actually do magic, even if he’s properly trained.” Fox shifted his gaze to Ethan and offered up a gentle smile. “I’m sorry.”