“Your pack’s presence allowed him to escape. We couldn’t find him and the other seers didn’t have any visions that helped. Quain has the best sight in the family, which didn’t help us at all when he went missing.” The expression of sorrow on her face told him it had been a blow to the family when Quain couldn’t belocated.
“Well, I’m fine now, and the pack is trying to find out what the wizards are doing,” Quainsaid.
“Is that true?” Brianasked.
“Yes. They are exploring every avenue,” Peteragreed.
“Come inside. Lunch is ready.” Naya wrapped her hands around Quain’s arm and pulled him in afterher.
“My wife has been eager to see Quain in person. His phone call didn’t completely reassure us. Seeing him in person has eased herfears.”
“I’m happy to bring him by. He only had good things to say about you.” Granted, they hadn’t had a long conversation about Quain’s parents, but Peter could tell he loved them verymuch.
“Glad to hearit.”
Lunch was a cozy affair. Quain’s parents were friendly and interesting. Their insight into the wizardshelped.
“This isn’t the first time they’ve kidnapped one of your family?” Peterasked.
“No. About ten years ago, they kidnapped my grandmother, thinking she was a seer. She escaped by turning into a lynx and killing the guards. Unfortunately, when we went back, everyone had vanished and she didn’t get any names of the other captives so there wasn’t anything we could do,” Briansaid.
“That must be why they invented that bracelet,” Quain said. “They didn’t want arepeat.”
“That makes sense,” Peter agreed. Unfortunately, that made this a long-range plan instead of a new idea. Somehow that made it worse. The wizards wouldn’t abandon a project they’d spent decadesplanning.
Quain was still in danger. Even if they caught the other wizards, there had to be more outthere.
“They never resorted to torture before. I think they are getting desperate. Why, I don’t know,” Briansaid.
“Hmm. I’ll share this information with Silver and let you know what he finds out. I know they’re going to investigate the wizards, and they have a wizard of their own in the pack. I don’t know how many wizards are involved, but Silver and Anthony are investigating them and I’ll let you know if they say anything,” Peter said. Best get in the good books with the in-laws. If there was a wide-range conspiracy, they needed to look for ways to stopit.
“Soundsgood.”
They spent the rest of dinner with casual chatting, and Peter discovered he quite enjoyed his in-laws. They were a lot nicer than his experience with parents. A few hours later, they said their goodbyes and headedhome.
“Thank you,” Quain said once they were far enough away they couldn’t beoverheard.
“For what?” Peter didn’t take his eyes off the road but reached over and squeezed Quain’s knee before letting himgo.
“For being so great with my parents. I’ve never brought anyone home to meet thembefore.”
“Really? Noone?”
“Did you take people home to meet yourparents?”
“No, my father was a selfish psychopath, not exactly the type of person you want making nice with your friends if you plan to keepthem.”
“Ah, yeah, you said something like that before. Sorry, I forgot.” Quain flashed him an apologeticsmile.
“It’s fine. You’ve had enough things to worry about without remembering my parents. We’re still getting to know oneanother.”
“Thanks. I’m so glad I found you too.” Quain’s heartfelt declaration had Petersmiling.
“We’ll get this figured out and you will be safe, I swear it.” Peter had never meant anything so much in hislife.
“I trust you.” Quain squeezed Peter’s hand on the wheel. “Between the pack and my family, we will befine.”
“Any more visions aboutAnthony?”
