I cross my arms, decision solidifying. "No, seriously. You kept everyone focused and ensured the meeting stayed on track. That’s why I'm nominating you as the Brigade's CEO."
Asher blinks. Swallows. "CEO?"
"Crisis Event Organizer," I clarify. "You handle the administrative stuff—coordinating people, managing logistics, keeping meetings from descending into total chaos. That way, the rest of us can focus on the magical problems."
"I'm not a witch."
"Exactly." Orion grins. "You're not distracted by all the magical politics and coven drama. You see the practical side."
Wylder nods. "It's a solid idea. You're already doing half of it, anyway."
Asher looks between the three of us, something uncertain flickering across his face. Then his usual brightness returns. "Does being the CEO come with business cards? Because I want business cards."
"Whatever you want." Relief floods through me. Having Asher officially in charge of organization means I don't have to pretend I know how to manage people. "You're the best person for this."
"Damn right I am." He tosses a kernel of popcorn in the air and catches it in his mouth. "First order of business—we need a better?—"
A knock on the sliding glass door interrupts him.
We all freeze.
But the figure on the other side of the glass is a friend, not a foe. Dark hair, sharp features, that perpetual look of controlled chaos.
I cross the living room to unlock the door. "Sebastian? Is everything all right?"
He steps inside, bringing with him a rush of cold air and the scent of magic. "Sorry to intrude."
"You’re always welcome. You’re coming from the backyard. Did you portal here through the stones?"
"Fast travel has its perks." He glances at the others, then back at me. "I was called back to Thornhill to follow up on some things thrown at me last week. I have news about Rowan.”
I usher him inside and close the door. “What news? How is she?”
“Well, her parents were relieved she returned to them alive and unharmed."
"But?"
"But they don't support her involving herself in another coven's problems." His expression tightens. "Whether it’s protective parenting or magical prejudice, I can’t say, but the outcome is the same either way.”
“They won’t let her come back.” My chest aches. Rowan finally found somewhere she belonged, and now...
"She'll be back," Asher says firmly. "Once this blows over and we prove ourselves as a recognized guild, she’ll convince them.”
"Maybe." Sebastian doesn't sound certain. Then he reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small vial filled with dark amber liquid. “This is for you.”
“For me? What is it?”
Sebastian hands me the vial. “Apparently, Rowan has been a royal pain in the ass since returning home. She told them the only way she’ll stop fighting them is if the Thornhill potion maker created something to negate Tharuzel's influence on you.”
My heart hurts. “She used her ‘get out of jail free’ card on me? Why would she do that?”
“Because she’s worried about you,” Wylder says.
“We all are, Pop-Tart,” Orion adds.
“Especially after last night,” Asher chimes in.
Sebastian’s brow furrows. “Why? What happened last night?”
