A small ball of fire shoots over the seat and hits Bragden in the shoulder. Incendia laughs, well more like giggles, behind me. Bragden hisses and turns around glaring at Incendia. When he sees her laughing, his features soften into amusement.
“These girls are going to be the death of me,” Bragden says as he looks at Ryanne. Ryanne widens her eyes and smiles innocently at Bragden, which makes Incendia laugh even harder. Her mood seems to have lightened a little.
“It’s because everyone else is feeling better,” Ryanne whispers.
“How did you know I was thinking about that?”
She taps my nose and jumps out of the car. “I may not be able to read your mind, but I know you…and I read your emotions. You were relieved, so I guessed.”
“Good guess,” I mumble as I follow her out.
“Wow,” she sighs as she looks up at the house. “This looks like a freaking celebrity’s home. Are you friends with Johnny Depp? Chris Hemsworth? Ryan Gosling?” Ryanne pauses for a moment, “Liam Neeson?” Tom laughs and motions for her to stop. “Tom Hanks,” she whispers as the front door of the mansion opens.
I briefly remember Colin Harris. The tall man that walks out of the house looks nothing like the man I would have assumed lived in this home. In his upper-thirties or so, the man walking toward us is dressed in sweats. Ryanne covers to mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Colin stops in front of us and looks down at her. “What’s so funny?”
She clears her throat and tries to keep a blank expression. “Nothing, you just aren’t what I was expecting.”
“Is that a good thing or bad thing, little one?” Colin asks.
“So far, it’s a good thing. And little one? Never heard that before. Are all mages this uncreative?”
“Would Hobbit suffice? You do have some crazy hair.” He points with his eyes toward her unruly hair. Unconsciously, Ryanne attempts to fix her curls.
“I think I like little one better,” she says as she steps toward me. Colin laughs and greets Tom.
“Hey, long time no see. I was surprised when I got your call. This is quite a group you have here,” Colin says as he looks over everyone. He nods at Logan, David, and me, before his eyes land on Ryanne again. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her toward me. Colin laughs at me, but doesn’t comment on my actions. “You must be Ryanne.”
“You’re one of the first to actually call me Ryanne and not say an ominous, “you’re her.” That gets annoying fast,” she says. Colin laughs and points toward Ry.
“I like her. She’s got spunk.” Colin turns around, motioning for everyone to follow him into the house. Ryanne looks up at me and grabs onto my hand. I take the lead and follow Colin.
After walking through the front door, I hear a small gasp beside me. Glancing down at Ryanne, I can’t help but smile when I see her gawking at the chandelier in the entrance with wide eyes. This is pretty impressive, I’ll give Colin that. A large chandelier hangs down from the ceiling, casting sparkling light on every surface in the entryway. Left and right stairways divide the room into two sections, and deep mahogany flooring contrasts with the white banisters. Ryanne turns to Incendia. “This is a sweet baby Jesus moment.”
“I sure was thinking it.”
“Okay, well since you’ve been traveling all day, I’ll show you to your rooms. If Tom’s not too tired, he can catch me up on everything.” Tom nods, agreeing with him. Colin heads up the right set of stairs, waving everyone up. Slowly we follow. This house is big, but is it large enough for all of us?
“I’m seeing a few couples in your group,” Colin says. “I don’t know how you do the sleeping arrangements here.”
“I trust them,” Tom says as he glares at each of us. A silent warning.
“Ok, well the Hobbit and her soulmate can have this room,” Colin says as he opens one door. Ryanne glares at him after hearing the Lord of the Rings comment.
“Since you’re being kind enough to let us stay in your humble Hobbit Hole,” Ryanne says with a smirk, “I’ll graciously ignore that comment.”
With a smile, Colin motions for Liam and Natalie to take the room next to us. Natalie blushes a little, but goes along with it. Does Colin know that Liam is Ryanne’s protector? He gives David and Emma the room across the hall. Colin motions between Bragden and Incendia, who are standing next to each other, asking if they’re together. Incendia’s eye widen as she takes a wide step to the side. Colin smiles at her reaction, but doesn’t say anything. Bragden remains unmoving with a slight smirk as Colin moves on to Logan and Lily. Unlike Bragden, Logan shakes his head at the same time as Lily blushes and moves to the side. With that confirmed, Colin divvies up the remaining rooms amongst everyone left.