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“It’s near all your old favorite stores and parks.” I back through the bay door, and the sensor light pops on, illuminating the large space and the brand new minivan parked in the second space. “There’s a bigger yard, too.”
Trevor bounces with excitement. “Is there a bowling alley in the basement?”
I wince. We went all out with the last house they stayed in, and they only got to enjoy it for a week before fleeing for their lives. “Not this time, buddy.”
His excitement dims. “What about a rock-climbing wall?”
Lia turns to peer back at the kids with a stern expression on her face perfected over years of being a foster mom. “How about we all go see for ourselves what our new house has in store?”
“Good plan.” Marc opens his door and hops out, then offers a hand to help Lia down the tall step to the garage floor.
I climb out from behind the wheel and slide the side door back. Orianna yips and races out, followed by the foster kids.
They’re an eclectic mix, to be sure. Trevor and Adevia appear the most human, with Trevor a few years older. The other two, though, can’t yet hide the demon side of their heritage.
Frost glistens in Alaska’s white hair and on his pale cheeks, while Star’s vibrant purple eyes give away her spiritfarer sire. Given time, I think I can teach her to cast a glamour like I do to disguise the otherworldliness of her gaze. The streaks of magenta in her otherwise black locks can be passed off as dye.
They’re all with Lia because she’s a rare null who can suppress the tangle of their demon and witch powers until they learn to control them.
“First into the house gets dibs!” Alaska races for the door into the house, the others hot on his heels.
“The master bedroom is Lia’s!” I call after them. “No fighting! There are no bad rooms!”
Every bedroom in the house connects to an en suite bathroom, which is a far cry from what we have at the Harbor.
Lia touches my arm. “Thank you for moving us again. I’m sure you had other plans for today.”
“Nothing more important than this.” I reach into the van and grab the box of goodie bags the Librarian sent with them. “What you do for these kids is a huge service. No one else can take your place, so whatever you need, it’s yours.”
“You already spoil us enough.” A crash comes from inside the house, and she hurries toward the door. “No breaking things before we’ve moved in!”
Marc and I follow at a slower pace, giving them time to sort themselves out.
We step into the butler’s pantry that leads into the kitchen, and I look around at the wide-open space. The chef’s kitchen could hold all five of us without being crowded, and it’s easy to imagine us sitting at the round table tucked into a half circle of banquette seating, enjoying our morning coffees while planning our days.
A farm-style dining table sits on the other side of the twelve-foot island with enough seats for ten people, and the eight-person L-shaped couch that faces the fireplace and the TV mounted above invites cozy nights cuddled up together.
Longing sweeps through me for all the quiet moments we’ve lost. As much as I enjoy the Harbor’s luxuries, it’s a hotel and not a home.
My gaze settles on the fireplace, and I imagine Pen scooted up to its grate, basking in its heat. “Should we just buy a new house?”
Marc turns to me in surprise. “What?”
“We could get a house like this.” Excitement builds within me, and I set the box I hold on the counter. “Someplace halfway between the Yard and the Conservatory. With enough rooms that if someone needs a place to crash, it won’t put any of us out.”
I reach down to rub Orianna’s head. “I could have a dedicated practice space again, and this girl could have her own den.”
Confusion knits Marc’s thick brows together. “We’ll have most of that when the remodel on the cabin is completed.”
“When will that happen, though?” I rake a frustrated hand through my hair. “You saw it today when we picked everyone up. There’s been no movement on it for weeks. Once fall hits and brings the rainy season, it will slow down even more. The exterior was supposed to be finished by now. As it stands, we won’t be moving back home until next spring at the earliest.”
I sweep my hand to encompass the space. “We could just buy someplace new right now.”
“What happens when someone we’ve pissed off comes to our house and shoots at us?” Sadness fills Marc’s eyes. “Or when one of our neighbors turns into a casualty? There’s a reason we bought that cabin out in the middle of nowhere.”
My shoulders slump. “You’re right. I know you are. It’s just…”
“You’re getting stir crazy.” He wraps an arm around my waist. “I get it. There are times I’d like a little space, too.”
