“See?” Layla called. “You made it too easy on me.”
Quin laughed. “It was your first try and it only took you ten seconds to cast a shield that covered all the elements. That's not easy.”
“But how will we figure out what else it protects against? We won't know if it blocks bodily harm, torture spells, or summoning spells, because your shields will stop them if mine doesn't.”
“Mine aren't protecting against summoning spells.”
“Oh. Well try to summon me.” She waited, but nothing changed.
“I guess you didn't feel that?”
“No.”
“Then it's protecting against summoning spells.”
“What about internal attacks and other torture methods?” she pressed. “How will we test them?”
“We won't.”
“Don't you think I need to know how?”
“Yes, but if you specified it to protect against those types of spells, I have no doubt you succeeded. Why would they get through when the others didn't?”
“I've never performed that kind of magic,” she explained, “so I'm concerned I didn't protect against it correctly. We should try just in case.”
“No, Layla. We'll just have to assume that one.”
“Well that's risky.”
“Tell you what – later I'll let you slice me open so you can see how those spells work. Then you'll feel better about protecting yourself against them.”
“Not going to happen, Quin.”
“Then don't expect me to let it happen to you.”
She huffed and swallowed defeat. “Fine.”
“Good. Now drop your shield, and we'll give you more of a challenge.”
“Okay,” she approved, vanishing the grass-covered dome. “What's the challenge?”
“On the count of three, set your shield, and we'll give you five seconds before casting our spells.”
“Ooh, pressure.” She cleared her head and gave a nod. “Okay. Whenever you're ready.”
They held out their hands as Quin counted. “One... two... three.”
The pressure was heavier than she anticipated, and she still hadn't cast a shield by the time their spells charged her, so she quickly threw out her hands, not at all sure what the shield was set to protect against. Serafin's fire sizzled, and Quin's wind floated around the barrier, but Caitrin's water shot right through it, splashing against Quin's outer shell.
“Damn,” she sighed. “I didn't even guard against all the elements. Try earth.”
Quin pointed at the ground, and the grass grew and curved, easily creeping through the silver fog then up his pearly shield.
“Damn,” she repeated.
“It's okay, Layla.”
She didn’t respond, and even though Quin couldn’t see her through the grass, he could tell she was pouting. He grinned as he tried to grab her with magic, and when she let out a small cry of surprise, he knew it had worked. He vanished the greenery hiding her then pulled her through the air and caught her in his arms.
“I guess it didn't do any good against summoning spells either,” she noted.
His grin widened. “And for that, I'm thankful.” He leaned in and gently bit her pout, which promptly curved into a smile.
“Are you my consolation prize?” she asked.
“You didn't fail,” he countered, carrying her toward the chairs.
She tensed and looked around. “Where are you going?”
“To sit down.”
“Why? I need to practice.”
“You will. Let's take a break and watch other people practice.”
“But this is important, Quin.”
He stopped walking and met her stubborn stare. “I know it's important, Layla, but you don't have to learn it all at once, and I want you to take a break.”
“But I don't need a break.”
“Not even for one of Cinnia’s mocha shakes?”
She opened her mouth to refuse then closed it again to reconsider. But she couldn’t be swayed. “I don't need a shake. I need to learn.”
He watched her for several seconds then brought in the closer. “I need you to take a break. Please.”
Yep, that's all it took. “Okay. We'll take a break.”
“Thank you, angel.”
She playfully scowled and pointed at him. “But I want my shake.”
Once Quin got Layla on his lap, he had no problem keeping her there, and soon they were concealing their auras and bonded lights in anticipation of their next guest.
The witch flew into the clearing at noon and made a smooth landing, running her pink and purple gaze over the family. “What a fabulous looking group.” She lowered her hood and flipped her silver hair behind her shoulders. Then she walked forward with long and lithe strides.