“I wasn't arguing,” Raza huffed, “I was winning.”
“I just want to be clear that certain parties are here in a voluntary capacity only,” Teagan added and looked pointedly at Raza. “They are not in charge.”
“I'm going to check on the rest of the family,” I rolled my eyes and walked further into the house.
I found the father and son in a back bedroom. Mark, the father was telling Johnny that there may be some bad people around the house later that night and that they may try to hurt him but good people would be there to protect him and he should try to not be scared. Johnny was a teenager but he had the look of a child much younger. His face was sweet; innocent and kind... and very confused. He asked the same question his mother had.
“But why?”
“I don't know, Son,” Mark sighed and then saw me. “Maybe this lady knows.”
“Hello,” I went into the bedroom and held my hand out to Johnny. “My name is Seren.”
“I'm Johnny Barnett,” the boy said and shook my hand.
“And I'm Mark,” his father shook my hand next.
“May I?” I indicated a spot on the bed next to Johnny.
“Sure,” Johnny shrugged.
“Do you believe in magic, Johnny?” I asked as I sat.
“Yes,” he said seriously.
“And do you believe that magic can be used for good or evil?” I went on.
“Yes, I do,” he sat straighter. “I can do magic and I use it for good.”
“You do?” I blinked, a little surprised by the turn in the conversation.
“Yes, would you like to see?” Johnny asked eagerly.
“Johnny,” Mark chided.
“I really would like to see,” I waved down Johnny's father. “Go ahead.”
“Okay, watch this,” he began to whistle.
It was a gentle whistle, as far as whistling goes; a sort of sweet note that resonated within me. Before I could analyze why it seemed so significant, Cat came running into the room. Mark pulled back in shock but Johnny stopped whistling and leaned forward to hug her around the neck like she was a lost friend. As I gaped at that display, a pecking came from the window and we all turned to see a large black bird sitting outside on the ledge.
“Is that a raven?” I whispered.
“I think so,” Mark whispered back.
“The birds really like my magic,” Johnny said as he released Cat. “But your dog likes it too. She's sweet. She says she'll look after me, she won't let the witches get me.”
“She said that to you?” I forgot the bird at the window to gape at Johnny. “You can understand her?”
“Yep,” he smiled wide. “I told you I can do magic.”
“We thought it was a fantasy,” Mark said in an awed tone. “Is this possible? Do you think he really speaks to animals?”
“I speak to them,” I transferred my look to the father. “They seem to understand me but I've never heard them speak back.”
“You may one day,” Tiernan said from the doorway. “Your magic is still growing but it appears that this young man has fully developed his.”
“I like animals,” Johnny said simply and the tapping came at the window again.
