"Is that a sprite?" Rex whispered. Ellie was just as awestruck as the Elder. Sprites were hardly ever seen outside their gardens.
"Yup. He's one of my bestest buds," Meryn confirmed.
Felix waved and blew kisses at Colton's phone before flying back to Meryn and shimmering out of view.
Colton looked back at the phone. "Did you call to see Papa?"
"Mama?" a tiny voice asked.
Colton handed the phone to Rheia, looking deflated. Rheia smiled and said goodnight to her daughter. Eagerly, Colton took the phone back. "Hey pumpkin..."
"Night Papa."
Colton looked down at his phone. "She hung up on me."
Aiden walked back over to his chair and sat down next to Meryn. "It would be no fun beating on you when you're pouting."
Colton sat back down and turned to his mate. "She misses me, right?"
Rheia patted his arm. "I'm sure she does."
Meryn turned to Rheia then Ellie. "Random medical question."
Ellie exchanged looks with Rheia. "Are you okay Meryn?" Ellie asked concerned.
"What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. My question is purely hypothetical."
"Shoot."
"Could you kill someone by stabbing them through the ear?"
Aiden wasn't the only one who choked on his drink with that question. Rheia turned to Ellie. "I got this one; I'm used to it." She looked at Meryn. "Depends on what is used. It would have to be quite thick, requiring a lot of force for it to be a one-shot kill. Otherwise you might end up giving that person an unplanned lobotomy."
"Damn." Meryn played with her butter knife. "What would be the quickest way to kill someone then?"
Rheia thought about it. "I'm assuming you mean with a sword or knife since you already have a gun." Meryn nodded. "If you have a wide enough blade a single thrust to the base of the brain would result in a complete body shut down. No brain function or heartbeat."
Meryn brightened. "Thanks!" She swung her butter knife around in front of her.
Ellie shook her head. "Sorry. I may be the new one to the group, but I have to know. Meryn, why are you asking about how to kill someone?"
"It's for Felix. He wants to help guard me. We worked out that the best method for him would be to stab people through the ear, but the spinal cord thing sounds easier."
Rex frowned. "Aren't sprites known for being pacifists?"
Aiden shrugged. "Felix has been around Meryn for quite a while; she may have rubbed off on him."
Meryn punched his arm. "I am not violent." He just stared down at her. She turned her head. "Whatever."
Colton chuckled. "You did set his car on fire," he reminded her.
Meryn rolled her eyes. "And everyone agreed he deserved it."
Aiden's eyes were warm when he looked down at his mate. "That I did." He kissed the top of her head before looking at Rex. "Felix is family. If he wants to learn how to stab people in the ear, I'll teach him myself."
Meryn stared up at her mate, eyes wide. "I love you."
Aiden looked a bit shocked at her open admission but recovered quickly. He pulled his mate on to his lap and nuzzled her neck. "Just for that, we can watch your bear people tonight."
"You're so good to me."
Grant looked a bit worried when he turned to Ellie. "Are you sure you want her as a babysitter?"
Ellie nodded. "I think she's amazing."
Aiden's face was full of pride. "She is."
*****
"She wants to teach a sprite how to stab someone through the ear," Grant reminded her as they floated their way up to Level Six.
"Exactly! Who better to watch over Benji? Meryn and Felix could take out anyone who messed with our son."
Ellie took Grant's hand and pulled him along toward their home. She opened the door and practically ran in.
"He's upstairs in the spare room," her gram said from the recliner. She put her book down and stood, walking over to them. "Adora had some of the warriors move most of Benji's things down to your house on the Unit Level. I told them to keep a bag of clothes and the Pack 'N' Play here for him to sleep in." She hugged Ellie close. "He's perfect." With a sniffle, she stepped back. "I know I asked for a great-grandson, but that was quick," she teased.
Grant puffed out his chest. "I aim to please."
Marjoram gently shoved her toward the stairs. "Go see your son."
Ellie and Grant, hand-in-hand, took off up the stairs. They opened the door to Benji's room and peeked in. Quietly, they tiptoed in and looked down at their sleeping son. There was something calming about watching the rise and fall of his chest as he slept.
Ellie kissed her fingers and gently placed them on his heart. "I swear to be the best momma in the whole world."