“Ah. I see.”
“The lions are having breakfast in the dining hall if you haven't eaten yet. Then you're welcome to join us outside. We usually have some coffee and watch the kids play.”
“That sounds like a lovely way to start the day,” Que said.
“It's all right, as long as the kids don't get too rambunctious. Come on, I'll walk you to the kitchen. I need to get my coffee anyway.”
Our group went together, the kids heading outside alone. They'd be fine for a few minutes. The rest of us went through the dining hall, past several lions who called out greetings, and into the kitchen.
“I don't know if Fallon showed you around the kitchen,” I said to Que. “But help yourself to anything you find in here. If there's a pot of coffee brewed, it's up for grabs. Just make sure to start a fresh pot if you finish one.”
“Some of the guys have already made breakfast,” Trevor said and waved toward the platters of meat, french toast, eggs, and pancakes. “Have at it.”
“Thank you.” Que made a beeline for the food.
As Que fixed a plate, the rest of us poured our coffee, then headed out to the veranda. The Pride Lands were fully awake by then, lazing in the sun like a cat. Sunshine brightened the tall,golden grass and turned the lake into a mirror. Lacy-leafed trees with flat tops spotted the plain, and herds of animals grazed. Many of them wandered to the lake to drink. It hadn't been my favorite landscape when I first moved there, but it had grown on me and now it was home. The one time I'd seen it transformed, it had hurt my heart. I knew then that I could never change it.
I sighed happily as I sat down in a Victorian chair, kicked off my shoes, and dug my toes into the silk carpet.
Odin took the chair on my left, Azrael chose the one on my right, and Kirill sprawled on the floor just to the right of my feet. He slung a thick arm over my lap and sipped his coffee. I had to resist the urge to pet him like a cat. But then Nick, my immortal, gray, tabby cat, strolled up and laid on the rug next to Kirill, propping his head on Kirill's thigh. When Kirill started petting Nick, my resistance vanished and I stroked his long hair.
“What the fudge brownies is this?” Viper demanded. “Are you four a new sub-team or something?”
“No, of course not,” I said. “Mama loves you all equally.”
Re snorted. “You do look a little cliquish. What happened last night?”
No one had asked about it yet since the kids had been around. So I wasn't surprised when Viper, Trevor, and Re leaned closer in their seats and stared at us expectantly.
“The Trinity Star took some of their Death Magic, blended it, then portioned it out to the three of them,” I said. “They bonded.”
“Our bonds run through Vervain,” Odin took over. “She's not a part of the magic, but she unites us.”
“Interesting,” Trevor said.
“What's this now?” Samantha asked. “You formed anotherbond? But you're already bonded.”
“Theyformed the bond.” I waved at Az, Odin, and Kirill. “I just served as a conduit.”
“A keystone,” Odin said. “Her star united us. We're like one of her trinities.”
“Except separate from my star,” I hurried to say. “I didn't feel you click into it.”
“Yes, we're separate from the star, but still a part of you,” Azrael said.
“Ugh, you're making my head hurt,” Fallon said.
“So what does it mean?” Re asked. “What can you do?”
“We haven't tried to do anything yet,” Odin said, his expression going pensive. “I suppose we should train together. A new magic needs to be explored before it's used in battle.”
“Battle?” Fallon asked. “Are we preparing for war?”
“No,” I hurried to say. “But it's good to be prepared for anything. We don't know what the trickster will do next.”
“Hey, Az,” Aidan, one of the Intare, said as he stepped outside. “Lexington is getting hit by a big storm. You might want to go down and check on the citadel.”
“A storm?” Azrael asked as he stood up. “Like a hurricane?”
