“Hey.” I switched into comforting mom-mode as I dropped onto the open spot next to Rowan. “How’re you all holding up?”
I caught a glimpse of Sallie’s haunted eyes before she buried her face in Thatch’s chest.
He patted her hair, his touch gentle but awkward as he looked over at me, shook his head, and silently mouthed, “Not now.”
“I need to bake something,” Leilani whispered, “but I know it’s too late. I just wish Papa would text me.” She lifted her forearm, her cell phone clutched in her hand. “I feel like he and Dad should have gotten home by now and…” Her eyes widened as she looked over at Sallie and cut off the rest of the sentence.
Sallie’s parents had kidnapped Cliff and Abi’s grandsons. Leilani’s father was the Enforcer who had taken Josiah and Garnet Flechette—Sallie’s parents—into custody. As the Enforcer, he would also mete out their punishment.
“I’m so sorry.” Leilani’s whisper was barely audible.
“I made a tea I hoped would help ease them all into sleep,” said Rowan, pulling her glasses off her face. She pinched the lenses between a fold in her shirt and rubbed slow circles. “Maybe we could turn off the lights and all go to bed now. Sun’s going to rise in about three hours.”
I nodded my agreement. “Sallie, where do you want to sleep?”
Harper’s deepening voice emerged from behind Lei-li’s shoulder. “The four of us are sleeping in here, Mom.” He lifted his head, his eyes unreadable behind half-closed lids. “Thatch’s gonna pull in his mattress. We’re giving the girls our beds. We’ll use our camping pads.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” I wanted to respect their wishes. Plus, the teens would draw comfort from being together. “There are new toothbrushes in your bathroom, same shelf as the washcloths.”
Rowan put her glasses back on, rolled onto her hands and knees, and stood. “I’ll be downstairs,” she said, “if any of you feel like you need medical care or want to talk.”
She stroked the top of my head, inviting me to lean against the side of her leg. Her fingertips sent pale green tendrils curling around my vertebrae and down my spine, creating a conduit to the bones of my house and the nourishing soil below.
I was wrapped in on myself so tight I didn’t realize I’d pulled up my roots. No wonder I drank in the physical connection for the few seconds it was offered.
Rowan’s hand left my head when she shifted and bent over to pick up the tray. “Do you know where the guys plan to sleep?”
I squeezed the hand Thatch offered before he returned to rocking Sallie. “They’ll likely be up all night, working on the wards. And I don’t know what Christoph’s sleeping preferences are.”
“Can I bunk with you?”
“You can have the futon in my office. I’ll let the guys know they can divvy up the couches.”
Ro stepped through the doorway before me.
“Goodnight, kiddos,” I said, unfolding my legs and blowing tired kisses into the room. “I love you all. We’re downstairs if you need anything.”
Closing the door behind me, I had to stop and let the stutter in my heart right itself.
“Are you okay?” Rowan paused, balancing the tray holding the teapot and mugs.
“Everything is in its own little compartment,” I answered. “I’m worried about what will happen with Tanner when he finds the Apple Witch, and I’m really worried about Abi and Cliff.” I hoped the Apple Witch had transported the older couple to their farmhouse and waited with them until River, Rose, and Belle had arrived. The radio silence from my friends frayed the hem of my patience.
“I’m concerned that Mal and James haven’t called. I hope the Enforcer wields as much power as I think he does.” Rowan led the way down the hall to the stairs. Once she left the tray on the kitchen counter, she pulled out her phone. “I’ll text Lei-li and ask her to let us know if she hears anything.”
Watching Rowan calmed me. I was capable of handling a lot, as the upheavals of the previous weeks had shown. Having a capable friend at my side was a relief. And while the support and security the crew of druids provided was invaluable, I was equally desirous of pulling the power of the witches around me as I learned to call upon my magic.
The magic was there. Its latency was frustrating.
Christoph walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. His wings were snugged tight against his back. I had a moment of wallowing in awe at the beauty of his feathers. Gyrfalcons populated the more northerly provinces. I never imagined I would see one up close, let alone call one of the magnificent raptors family.
I shook my head. “Christoph?”
He spun, one hand on the door handle, the other holding a package of sausage. “These aren’t meat,” he said, surprise lifting his eyebrows.
“We’re vegetarians,” I explained, “and those are delicious.”
Harrumphing, he returned to examining the label. “I’m hungry, and I don’t feel like hunting right now.”
Rowan elbowed my ribs and grinned before she headed into the living room to stand beside Wes. She snugged close, her wavy red hair mingling with his.
A disappointed sigh reminded me there was a hungry bird rooting around in my kitchen. “Feel free to eat whatever you find,” I said. “I’m not sure where to put you, but…”
“I’ll sleep outside.” Christoph closed the refrigerator door, filled a glass from the tap at the sink, and drank. His wings drooped a fraction as his shoulders sagged. “I find myself rather tired.”
“We had a giant bat visit recently. They seemed to think the fir trees in the backyard were a nifty place to roost.”
He turned and smiled. “Then perhaps I shall have company tonight, though they are nocturnal and I’ve always found bats to be a bit on the chatty side.”
I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. My grandfather was a freaking bird complaining
