“That’s on me, honey,”Samantha said. “This is a lot to take in and I had a really hard time at thebeginning. We just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m good, Sam,really. Thank you for worrying.”
I leaned againstPhin again.I’ll freak out later. When we’re alone.
“We need to callHaddi,” Fiona breathed out.
“We need to domore than that.” Kade crossed his arms. “We need to call Arric and theCouncil.”
“That soundsbad,” I squeaked.
“No, it’s notbad,” Phin promised. “You’ll love both of them. Arric is my cousin by marriage,Isla’s mate, and Haddi is an ancient Oracle who trained all of us in someaspect or another.”
“He’s very nice,Lennox,” Billie said. “Like a kindly grandfather.”
“Okay,” I saidwith a nod. I really had no reference as to what a kindly grandfather was,considering I never knew either of mine, so I had to take her word for it.
“You take yourtime with the book, love,” Fiona said. “And ring me with any questions youmight have.”
“Thanks Fiona.”I smiled, burrowing closer to Phin (if that was even possible). “I reallyappreciate it.”
“Right, enoughwith the history lessons,” Kade decreed. “I have a rare evening with my sister,so I say we eat, drink, and play a few games. What about you lot?”
“Rare evening?”Fiona countered. “We just saw you at the gala.”
“Which was fartoo long ago. And it wasn’t quality time.”
Fiona laughed,wrapping her arms around her brother. “You’ve missed me that much, have you?”
“Aye, but don’tlet it go to your head.”
She gave him onemore squeeze and then we all landed on a rousing game of charades. Consideringthe fact mates could communicate telepathically, however, we were forced tobuddy up with same sex partners.
I got Billie.
And we won.
It was theperfect end to a confusing night.
* * *
Phineas
One week later, we were back inInverness and on castle land. “Clear your mind and focus on your breathing,” Iinstructed. “Concentrate on lowering your heart rate and your nervousness willdissipate.”
“Or you couldtouch me and calm my nerves,” Lennox countered.
I raised myeyebrows. “This wouldn’t be much of a training exercise then, would it?”
Lennox scrunchedup her face and sassed,“This wouldn’t be much of a training exercise then,would it?”
We stood in theclearing of a large, wooded area about an acre behind the cabin. This morning’sgoal was to test Lennox’s short-range teleportation abilities. I figured wecouldn’t get into too much trouble if we just tried to move around the propertya bit.
“Okay, time tofocus. Close your eyes and breathe,” I said, inhaling deeply before setting thepace with my breath.
Lennox did as Iinstructed.
“Good. Now focuson the patch of grass directly in front of the cabin.”
