She grinned and bit her lip, her lashes demurely fluttering. “Would you like to help me get clean?”
He grinned as he vanished their breakfast mess. Then he stood with her in his arms. “Always, my love.”
Before walking outside, Layla and Quin paused at the front door, kissed each other, then concealed their auras and bonded lights. Two of Serafin's contacts were due to arrive any moment, and Quin insisted the shocking hazes stay hidden until he got a chance to evaluate their company. Serafin approved, saying it was a good idea to ease his friends into the unbelievable mists.
To help plan for the impending confrontation, most members of the family had put their businesses on hold or in the hands of other covens, and those still going to work had cut their hours back, so when Quin and Layla walked onto the porch, they found over half the family on the lawn.
As Layla and Quin approached, seven wizards stood – Catigern, Lann, Cadman, Devlin, Drystan, Belinos and Kearny. Tasked with locating Agro's camp, the seven men lined up and let Layla and Quin conceal their bodies and auras.
“What do you think?” Quin asked, glancing at Caitrin. “Can you see them?”
Caitrin intently stared at the spot Catigern had stood a moment before. Then he jumped when someone said boo in his ear. “Damn you, Cat,” he cursed.
Catigern’s laugh floated from seemingly empty air. “Guess they work. See you in a couple of hours.”
The invisible men said their goodbyes and moved away from each other. Then a whoosh of air rushed over the lawn as the scouts shot toward the sky.
Not long after the departure, Serafin's head perked up, and he announced the arrival of his friends. Two auras soon flew overhead, circling twice before landing in the middle of the lawn, and Serafin and Daleen walked to meet them.
“Dallas,” Serafin greeted, shaking the hand of a wizard slightly older and smaller than he. Then he turned his smile on the other man, who was younger and much larger. “Grant, you big lump, how've you been? I forgot how fat you are.”
He jabbed at Grant's large abdomen, which probably didn’t have an ounce of fat on it, and Grant laughed as he pulled Serafin into a bone-crushing hug. “Hey, old man. Virginia hasn’t been the same since you've been gone.”
“I'm sure Virginia's doing just fine,” Serafin countered. “What do you think of our new home?”
“Gorgeous,” Grant answered. “And speaking of gorgeous.” He moved around Serafin and lifted Daleen into a hug. “How's my darlin' Daleen?”
Daleen laughed as she gave his back a solid pat. “I’m good. Even better now. I missed your smile.”
“You, too.”
He lowered her feet to the ground, and she squeezed his massive bicep before turning to the other guest. “How have you been, Dallas?”
Dallas smiled and looked around. “Well, my dear, if the birds are chirping and I'm breathing, life’s grand.”
“Yes,” Daleen agreed, scanning the surrounding forest. Then she linked her arm with his. “Come meet our new family. I think you’ll find they’re incredibly special.”
Serafin made the introductions, leaving Quin and Layla for last, but their missing auras drew the guests’ curiosity right away. When Serafin got to his granddaughter, he spoke as casually as he had with the others, but there was no mistaking the pride in his eyes. “This beauty is Layla, and that's Quin.”
Grant smiled and offered his hand. “You are a beauty, Layla.”
She smiled back, letting his large palm swallow hers. “Thank you, Grant. It's nice to meet you.”
He held on to her for several seconds, tilting his head while watching her eyes, and she swallowed as her cheeks flamed.
Keeping his gaze glued to the scene, Quin squeezed Layla’s other hand, fighting the urge to pull her away from the stranger, to calm her embarrassment and ease his own nerves.
Grant finally released her, cocking an eyebrow as he looked from her eyes to Serafin's. Then he moved over, letting Dallas take his place while he greeted Quin.
The older wizard stared at Layla with equal curiosity, but Serafin didn’t give him time to linger. “You'll meet the rest of the family this afternoon. Take a seat.”
Dallas and Grant obeyed, and the rest of the family sat around them, summoning drinks while Serafin tended to the guests. Once everyone was comfortable, Grant leaned back and looked around. “So who has the skirmish with Agro?”
“We all do,” Serafin answered.
“Of course,” Grant returned, “but where did it start? Aren't you going to tell us why this conflict is brewing?”
“Yes. But first, do you mind telling us your experience with Agro?”