He had his sleeves rolled up purposely for us to see, and sure enough, there was absolutely no desiccation.
Dad continued, pushing past the timeframe that an Ancient could survive the spell.
No damage.
Grandpa was completely unharmed.
Dad smiled, then ended the spell, calling his power back.
“It has no effect now on the living as you can see,” he called over, as he walked to Grandpa and hugged him tightly.
When they pulled apart, Grandpa turned and gave me a chin lift, then took off in a burst of speed.
“Nicely fucking done!” Felix cried, giving Dad a high-five as he reached us all.
Wesley slapped his shoulder. “Excellent work as always.”
“It was definitely a collective effort,” Dad offered very modestly.
I grinned at him and he winked.
He was trying hard to form a strong bond with all of them.
It was for the good of us all.
Well, I could see he also had an affinity for them. He felt a kinship. It was sweet.
As he drew the Temperance leaders aside to have words, and my friends talked among themselves excitedly, I heard Raquel and Hale admit that they were extremely relieved, that their view of me was also altering and would be reflected in their protocols and rhetoric going forward.
Relief sang through me.
I couldn’t quite believe it.
The weight of it lifting off me… it was hard to reconcile.
My phone buzzing in the pocket of my hoodie drew my attention, and I pulled it out to find some texts had come in via the Group Chat.
Zayn:You want the oatmeal here too? Or just the ribs for now?
I smiled to myself.
Winter:Is that your way of trying to figure out my mood before I get there so you can all have damage control prepped?
Zayn:Uh… what? You think I’m that calculated? I’m crying, Win. Out loud. Right here in the middle of the restaurant.
I laughed.
Winter:No. I think you’re that sweet and tuned into me, into us all.
Vax:Adorable. Of you both.
Evira:Aww, little puppies.
I shook my head. That puppy thing was just not going away.
Small price to pay for the three of them.
And maybe sometimes I liked it.
