“Tomorrow might not be the best day to do that.I'm not going to be available, and magical protection is the best protection you can get.”Harry warned.
“They said that Marissa would be coming with us and that she was a very good witch,” Darren explained.
“She is a very good witch.Marissa just doesn't go out on the job much because they have so many kids.She'll look out for you and the others.Still, I would worry about you, so here.”Harry handed him a charm with a white and a gold wolf on it.“This will help protect you to a point, which should make things easier on Marissa.”
“Thank you,” Darren said as he took the artifact.
“Wear it and don't take it off, not even for a moment.”His mother instructed.
“I won't.It's very pretty.”Darren admitted.
“It also has strong protective magic,” Lottie explained.
“That makes me feel better.I'll admit I'm a little nervous about going with the wardens.My job is mentally taxing, and I don't get much physical exercise.I've only begun to learn about self-defense and a little bit of offense.”Darren offered.
She knew that was true because she had sparred with him and she'd seen Moe take him down.Not that Moe wasn't an exceptional fighter, but he'd not had a chance, and that meant he wouldn't have a chance with many of those that the warden's fought against.Lottie wasn't sure what Damon's plan was for this outing.Maybe he just wanted to see what Darren could do, or maybe he just wanted Darren to understand the kind of work that wardens did.
It wasn't like Darren could do much to help the wardens.He wasn't a pack alpha or a Councilman.She didn't see how he would ever be either of those things or even want to be.It wasn't long before Harry flashed away and got back on her case.Harry had cleaned up her spot, but the rest of them cleaned up their spot and helped a little bit more so that Liza wouldn't have to work so hard.The girls had been learning how to take care of themselves and clean up after themselves.They cleaned up their area automatically, then went into the living room to resume their schoolwork.
She had to admit that they were very good girls, and they seemed willing to do whatever was asked of them.They did their schoolwork, and what they did was right.They had a few questions and seemed to learn without effort.Darren was lucky, given all they had been through, that they did so well.They worked hard until supper time, and they seemed to be getting ahead on their schoolwork even further than they had been before.It made her wonder why they worked so hard and didn't ask for more time off.At some point, she would talk to Adele about what she wanted to do in the future and why she worked so hard on her schoolwork.
As the oldest, Adele was the one she needed to plan for first.Once she figured out Adele's plan, she would work with Ellis.Being a nanny/teacher/guard was a hard job, and she wanted to see those girls get the best of everything.Lottie had to admit she was attached to them and beginning to get attached to their father.He confused her, but at least the relationship she had with them was clear.
They finished what they were doing, and it was time for supper.The girls will be cared for by Flo and Carlos tomorrow.
“I thought we’d take the girls to see the Big Cats in Blue Eye tomorrow,” Flo mentioned.
“You’ll be careful?”Darren asked.
“We’ll have extra protection, and Harry’s assistant witch is coming along too,” Carlos explained.
“I’m sure they’ll have fun,” Darren observed.
The girls began to giggle and chatter among themselves.It was clear they were excited about tomorrow's plans.It looked like everyone was going to have an exciting day.Lottie was looking forward to spending time with Harry.Once supper was over and everything cleaned up.Everyone went their separate ways.The girls were allowed to watch an hour of TV, then sent to bed.
Lottie worked on her computer and then went to bed around 10 PM.Sleep came quickly, but it wasn’t uninterrupted.A nightmare woke her, and it took her a while to fall back asleep.When she woke in the morning, she was tired, but Lottie was sure she would wake up once Harry appeared.Once she went downstairs, she saw breakfast was ready, and Harry had arrived.
“This is a perfect breakfast!”Harry offered.
It was too.There were several kinds of pancakes, including potato pancakes and others with different fruit fillings.A plate of sausage was also on the table.Harry already had her plate stacked high.Lottie thought a big meal would give her the energy she needed.She had also heard stories about Harry on the job, and she planned to pack some snacks for herself.Harry ran on her stomach, or so Lottie had heard.Harry filled another plate with food, but Lottie couldn’t eat more than one heaped plate.
“Looks like breakfast is done.Thank you.Lottie and I will clean up our spots, and we must go.”Harry offered.
They cleaned up, and then Harry grabbed her hand, and they flashed away.They landed somewhere, but Lottie couldn't say exactly where.
“I'll explain about what we're doing.We are at the edge of Springfield, MO, and we are about to take down a suspect that I have already investigated and determined is guilty of two murders.His name is Blaney Dimton, and he lives with a mid-level witch named Cheryl.I know her and have known her since we were 10.She deserves so much better, but I'm not sure how she will handle him being taken away in cuffs.That is why you are with me.”
“Can she really believe that he is worth attacking a friend for?”Lottie asked.
“I've been surprised before, and I don't want to be surprised again.”
“I understand.Is it this house in front of us?”
“Yes, the pumpkin colored one.”Harry pointed to it.
“How dangerous is this guy?”
“Not at all dangerous to a witch who is watching for him.”
