He nods. “Sadly, it was necessary. The cost has been great to your mother and you all, I know, which has given me great pain.” His dark red eyes are sombre. “All the while my psyche has been sending messages to your mother to let her know I am alive.”
“So that’s why Mom has a steadfast belief you are alive. She has been receiving communication from you?”
“In her dreams, yes.”
“I wouldn’t have minded a sign you were alive, too.”
Dad shakes his head. “You would not have stepped up as sheriff if you thought I was alive.”
“Possibly true.” My lips twist ruefully. “But Dad, what is this group you are part of? We know nothing of it.”
“It has been top secret for many years. A coven of white magic formed soon after the Rebellion. A small group of witches and warlocks hid out on Earth, and of late, some monsters have also been recruited. I was one of those who received the call, and there is no backing away from that once it happens. It was my duty to go out on Earth, work with these forces and prepare us all for the time when monsters will rise up once again. The dark magic is strengthening in the human realms, and very soon we will need to fight for our freedom.”
“So you are back to take on the role of sheriff.”
“No son, you must remain sheriff for now. With Tony as your deputy.”
I huff a sigh. Tony does the same. I’m sure he’d rather have Dad as his boss, but he’s too diplomatic to say so.
As for myself, I badly need my father at my side, right now. So many times I have wished for it, but now he has materialized, the need for his wise counsel is even stronger.
“How long can you stay?”
“A day at most.”
“Is that all.” I can’t help my disappointment showing. “We need your wisdom in the Labyrinth more than ever before.”
“Yes, sir, we surely do,” Tony says gruffly.
Dad sighs heavily.
“The coven have your backs. We are watching closely, waiting. If we act prematurely, it could lead to greater harm and bloodshed. The runes will speak when the time is right for us to join you.”
I rub at my tight forehead “But if that’s the case—why are you here now?”
“To let you know that you are not alone, that the magic is working alongside you.” He pauses, and his serious expressionrelaxes. “And to celebrate a very special day. Your mother’s fiftieth birthday.”
My face lights up. “You remembered!”
“How could I forget? Your mother is my mate. I have missed the last three but I will not miss this special one.”
I feel tears prick my eyelids and swallow hard. “She always said you were still alive, and I just passed it off.”
“Yes, her soul knew the truth.” Dad gets up and smiles, a little sadly. “Hopefully your mother and you younglings will eventually forgive me.”
“It’s a given,” I reply, gazing steadily into his eyes.
“Thank you, eldest son,” he says, then his own eyes light up almost mischievously. “You have found your soulmate also, I believe.”
“H-how do you know?”
“As part of my training in white magic, I have learned to tap into soul energy.” Dad gives me one of his winks. “And your vibration told me you’ve fallen madly in love, Otis.”
“I hope that’s all the vibrations can tap into,” I mutter. “You don’t have cameras, I hope?”
Dad laughs. “Don’t be daft, son. Even if the magic had eyes, which it does not, I would respect your privacy.” He grins and puts an arm around my shoulder. “I can read soul energy, that’s all. Yours and your beautiful human’s. You are meant for each other.”
I nod, unable to speak for fear of weeping like a youngling. And yet, my heart blooms with gratitude that my father is alive, that there is a mysterious group of magical beings hiding out on Earth, ready to support our cause, and that my Mom will finally have reason to smile again.
