Retribution(66)

Layla gasped as Weylin’s back hit the ground, no doubt knocking the breath from his huge lungs and shooting pain through his massive body, but he didn’t express a hint of distress. Quin flew into the air, and Weylin immediately jumped to his feet, smiling as he shook his head.

Quin descended and landed next to his chair. “I don't know why you put yourself through this, Wey. You haven't defeated me in seven years.” He sat then wrapped a perfectly relaxed arm around Layla's tense shoulders.

Giving a defiant laugh, Weylin flew over the table and reclaimed his chair. “When it comes to backing down from a challenge or getting slammed to the ground, I choose getting slammed. At least I get practice that way. And that's a lesson you can take from me,” he added, jabbing Banning in the ribs. “If you back down once, you'll back down again. Then you'll find yourself backing down every time. You'll never know if you can win, because you've doomed yourself to lose.”

“Point taken,” Banning conceded, “but you’re forgetting something.”

“What's that?” Weylin asked, picking up his steak with his fingers.

“I've known Quin my entire life,” Banning explained, “and I've watched him slam you, the biggest wizard I know, to the ground on numerous occasions. I can't beat him. It's a fact, so even though I love a good concussion and a broken rib or two, I'll leave the challenges with Quin up to you, because you can't seem to get enough of them.”

Quin laughed and nodded. “Like I said, smart kid.”

“Well it doesn't take a genius to figure it out,” Brietta cut in. “I mean, really, Wey, you're the only one who can't get it through your head.”

Kegan laughed, and Weylin looked at him. “You think Bri's funny?”

“I know she is,” Kegan answered, “and she's right. I gave up on Quin's challenges six years ago, and I don’t understand why you continue to try.”

“Weylin has a lot of pride,” Brietta noted. “Even when Quin's stomping on it.”

“I think Weylin makes a good point,” Layla interjected.

Everyone looked at her, and their collective reaction made her blush, so she dropped her gaze and took a drink.

“Thanks, gorgeous,” Weylin returned. “I got the angel's vote. I win.”

An uncomfortable stretch of silence passed. Then Quin pulled Layla close and stroked her hot cheek. “So tell us, what should we take from Weylin's point?”

She swallowed then straightened, but she couldn't make herself look up. “Well, I'm not saying Weylin isn't pigheaded with a primordial and testosterone-driven urge to prove himself.” She threw Weylin an ornery grin, and he chuckled as he bit into his steak. “However,” she went on, “I think we can all draw inspiration from his determination, resilience and confidence. Those are admirable qualities. A person lacking any one of them will most likely face desperate times at one point or another.”

“Hear, hear,” Caitrin called, lifting his goblet, and the rest of the family and guests followed suit, chorusing their agreement and swigging their drinks.

Weylin drained his cup. Then he laughed as he looked at Layla. “Apparently I need you to interpret my points for me, gorgeous. Only when an angel speaks them do they make perfect sense.”

“I wouldn't say it made perfect sense,” she disagreed. “Bann's point made as much sense as yours. Why on earth would you volunteer to get slammed to the ground? All that determination, resilience and confidence is being wasted. You're putting them toward a pointless effort.”

“Hear, hear,” Banning proclaimed, smiling as he raised his goblet, and the family chimed their bold agreement.

Quin returned his glass to the table and summoned a chocolate chip cookie, passing it over to Layla. “You should have aspired to be a judge, my love. You seem to see both sides of a debate with crystal clear vision.”

She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Sounds like an awful job, drawing conclusions on people you don’t know, conclusions that might have a profound effect on multiple lives. I can’t imagine the stress, uncertainty and guilt. I understand judgment is a way to protect ourselves, but it's a flawed system.” Looking up, she realized every person at the table, right down to little Alana, was staring at her as she rambled on, and heat flooded her cheeks as she dropped her head. “Anyway,” she hurriedly concluded, “judgment is a necessary evil, and those who take on that burden put themselves in a position of life-altering power, essentially playing god. I don’t want any part of that.” Her stomach tightened as she fidgeted with her cookie, and because she was at loss of what to do, she forced a bite down her swollen throat. She felt like she was in the spotlight, giving a group of bored students a lecture on molecular biology, and she had to fight the urge to hide her face in Quin's neck.