Betrayal by Cyndi Goodgame

of Bane’s name one more time.
    “You are so lame.  Ian will see through your ways soon girl,” Cyly laughed at my pouty lip tale of getting my way with Ian, Pike, and Kin. 
    “Yes, but for now I hold power, babe.  And it’s not in the magic.”
    “No, it’s called bat your eyes and fall for my every whim as you string these three boys along,” Sarah played like she was flirting with the pillow on the sofa.  After her noisy kitten kisses I wanted to get her back.  At seeing her smile, I aimed for another one.
    “I do not string them along Sarah!  They know their places.”
    “No, they all know what place they wish to serve under the cover of sheets and a little humidity.”
    “SARAH, innocent thoughts only in this room.  Danella would have my hide.”
    “No, but I know three princes that would.”
              “SARAH!  Stop it.”
    “Stop what?” a deep hum of a voice sounded from behind all of us.
    All four of us jumped from our seats to a standing position and arched our backs in Bane’s direction.  Sarah's kissing pillow fell to her feet.
    “Um, just discussing, um the kind of coffee that, um we like.”  I blushed red hot lava right along with the rest.  Pretending to need more caffeine wasn't incorrect because I needed it to survive this if Ian got wind of the previous heat worthy conversation.  I hoped he was truthful when he blocked most.  He’d even told me once he blocked so naturally that it took effort at first with me to dislodge the skill.  Now we are at an impasse of sorts where one day we do and one day we don’t.  The only mind I wanted him reading was my own and that was exciting and terrible all at once, but safe.  I wanted him all to myself.
    “I get it, exclusive girl talk no enter zone.  Do you wish for us to come another night?”
    Us?  I looked for Ian behind Bane.
    Sarah jumped in too quickly like she’d never done before, “Oh no.  Please stay.  The coffee is ready.”
    Bane himself blushed.   He snatched a book off the shelf in haste.  It was the book we were reading.
    Go Sarah!  
    Losing her sister made her sick sometimes, but Bane filled a void that was already forming before Lorah’s death.  Bane had sent her flowers before and after the funeral.  It wasn't unusual since the Fey rarely saw death among their people so harsh and unpredicted.  Bane visited her family and fulfilled daily duties in their family’s routine out of common courtesy.  He said he’d help with anything till they were to a point they didn’t need him anymore.  Fat chance since Sarah is involved.
    Sarah dropped her eyes and headed to the side table where the coffee still brewed and filled the room with its delicious scent. 
    Well, not enough to cover Ian’s scent.   In he came.
    And the other scent.   “Why is Pike here?”
    “He’s not.  How would you know anyway?”
    His face shot into a glare remembering why I would know and he stroked his chin in agitation.  Bad reminder.  Then he looked me up and down rather heatedly like he’d get a better reading on my already obvious unnatural ability.  His mood changed just.like.that.
    I hastily sat on the smaller sofa forcing Ian to sit with me and indicated to Tren and Cyly to head to the vacant chairs.  This forced Bane and Sarah on the sofa together.  Ian realized my game plan and snuggled his leg up against mine in obvious public display.  Fine!  I can play too.
    I laid my legs across him sideways and leaned back on the side of the sofa to drink my heavy cream, less coffee drink in my hand.  He eyed me with a smile laying his head back to angle a look in my direction and hold my stare.  I complied telling him many things with my eyes only.  He complied by stroking his chin with an edgier sound that he knew drove my insides to mush.
    Cyly and Tren excused themselves saying they had things to do .  That left just the two couples.  One very close together, and the other very far