“Oh, yeah,” I mumbled, my nose starting to run. “But I have a job and…”
“Details,” he said, smiling. “C’mon, I’m starving, and I should get myself inside before the neighbors call the police about the giant bird in your yard.”
I placed a hand against the longest feathers at the tips of my grandfather’s wings and let him lead me inside.
Tanner looked up. “We were just talking about Cliff and Abigail,” he said. “Calliope, I filled everyone in about Jessamyne. Mostly.” His face was shaded. I named the color remorse. “And Rose would like for you to call her.”
Rose was the head witch of the covens in lower British Columbia and sister to River, another of the druids Tanner had introduced into my life. They, along with the plant witch, Belle de Boskoop, had taken Cliff and Abi’s grandsons to the farm house as soon as we realized Cliff and Abi were gone.
“Do we have a plan?” I asked. I dared them to mention the state of my face.
The trio of druids nodded in unison.
“We think it best that you, Rowan, and Christoph stay here. Wes, Kaz, and I will meet up with River and Rose.” Tanner waggled a cellphone in my direction. “And we check in every half hour.”
“The kids stay here too?”
“Until James comes to pick up Leilani, yes. And if he has more information or if there’s a change of plans, we need to know that as well.”
Wes added, “No more assumptions or going out alone until we have Abigail and Clifford back.”
While the men gathered their things, I puttered in my kitchen, putting knives and such back where I liked them stored.
“Calli,” said Christoph, “could I have some of those waffles you made?”
I pointed out the basket of eggs and the dry ingredients I’d use to mix the first batch of batter. “There’s milk and orange juice in the fridge. Make enough for the kids.”
He laughed and hugged me around the shoulders. “Guess that’s my cue I’m on KP duty.”
“Hah, I guess it is.” I lifted my gaze to his and saw only warmth. And love.
I could get used to this.
Or at least the more pleasant aspects of having another adult in the house.
Chapter 5
My moment of basking in familial love lasted a handful of seconds—the feeling of being rubbed a little raw by Tanner’s encounter with Jessamyne resurfaced, I didn’t like the trio of druids assuming they knew what was best for me and my sons, and a car roared past the driveway.
The driver stopped the vehicle with a squeal of tires on macadam and backed up, slow and steady. I recognized Leilani’s father, James Brodeur, at the wheel.
“Did you guys do something extra-extra with the wards?” I asked. James seemingly had no problems the day before, but the confusion—and frustration—on his face said he might not have access to the driveway. Or even see the entrance.
“Oh, we sure did,” said Kaz. “Why? Is someone here?”
“James. Probably wants to pick up Leilani.”
“He and Malvyn will have to be attuned to the new settings. I’ll go guide him in.” Kaz bounded down the front stairs and called to James. Frustration melted into relief as the half-witch botanist ducked his head into the car and turned the steering wheel.
Harper appeared from around the left side of the house, striding across the lawn, barefoot, shirtless, in loose-fitting shorts that threatened to slide off his narrow hips. The skin on his upper back was reddened, like he’d been scratching against the tree during the night.
James exited his car and waited until he and my son stood chest to chest, Harper slightly taller. The older man moved to embrace first. My son’s arms went around James’s shoulders more reluctantly.
I had my hand on the screen door handle and a call rising in my throat when I stopped. Harper’s upper body was shaking. I could tell James was speaking. Harper would occasionally nod in response, tuck his chin further toward his chest. Though I wanted to know what my baby was asking, hearing, and responding, I held back.
This was a moment for him to find comfort in the company of men blessed by magic, men who were willing and able to help him manage the magic that was—literally—bursting through his skin. I took back my earlier grumbling about druids and a bird-man taking over our lives.
“He’s going to be okay, Calli.” Tanner came up behind me, put both hands on my shoulders, and pressed his thumbs into the rock-hard muscles of my upper back. He seemed almost absent-minded, the touch less about connecting with me as it was him wanting—or needing—reassurance.
Irritated by the undercurrent of Jessamyne’s presence, I didn’t want him touching me. I squeezed my shoulders toward my ears and sidestepped. “I wonder if I should let Harper go with James and Leilani.”
“I see no harm in that,” he said. “I imagine any home of Malvyn Brodeur’s is going to be extremely well protected.”
I agreed. “After they go, I want to hear about the portal and the portal…keeper? Guide? What do you call them?”
“Either. I want to hear about their discoveries too.”
James led Harper to the porch stairs and paused at the screen door. He adjusted the rolled cuffs of his baby blue button-down shirt and touched his chest where the edge of a decorative metal collar peeked out.
“Calliope. Tanner. I have news from Malvyn. And I will be taking Leilani home with me.” He glanced over his shoulder at Harper, who nodded but did not speak. “I’ve offered to let Harper come with us. Dependent, of course, on your permission.”
I gestured them inside. “I think Harper and Leilani are at a place where they can make their own decisions about where they want to be, and I trust you and Mal to prioritize keeping them safe.” I smiled at Harper. I wanted some levity
