Gideon slips away to the kitchen, returning with a bottle of water and two of Nix’s Oreos on a chipped china plate.
The Traveler smiles her gratitude, making her face much more approachable. Grayson thinks he might learn to like her a great deal.
“Selinde, please. Of course, the global magic community is relatively small, and the Traveling Affinity one is even smaller. You handled yourselves very well.”
“We are lucky you got here in time.”
Leo gets up, gesturing to the loveseat, so the two senior magic users take their seats.
“His name is Aleksander Withers, and he’s using soul magic at the expense of those children to enhance his power,” Ignatius explains. “Selinde, this is Alpha Jay Rhodes, and his mates Gideon, Leo, Finn, Nix, Luca, and Grayson. And Rowan, of course.”
“Nice to meet you all. Oh, this istheGrayson? I’m excited to meet a fellow Traveler. I’d hoped we could spend some time talking about your experiences.”
“I would like that. I would love to hear how you did that with the phone, too.” Grayson can’t keep his enthusiasm out of his tone, but it quickly falls. “But we are…”
Busy didn’t seem like a big enough word.
“In the middle of something. I assume it has something to do with Friday night?”
The room is silent. None of them are willing to bring anyone else into their plans in case Carnell’s demise leads them straight to the pack’s door.
Besides, the less Selinde and Ignatius know, the better.
Grayson’s worry seems to be for nothing when she says, “I think we might help with that. There are a few instructors herewho can give some insight into helping you gain some prowess over your magic, Grayson. Even Master Ignatius.”
She winks when the older man sputters, “I’ll have you know I am a formidable opponent, Selinde.”
He adjusts his vest like a combination of the Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit fromAlice in Wonderland, grinning like the Cheshire Cat as he lets a small fireball form in his palm.
Selinde grins, patting his arm, throwing a few water droplets over his flame. It’s obvious to them all that this is a friendship that has existed for some time.
“Of course you are, old friend. It would be best to avoid Matilda and the Wardens though, if you want to keep your plans to yourselves.”
Exactly what Grayson thinks, too.
The offer of help with his magic is one he can’t afford to decline—and that it might include some offensive and defensive maneuvers? Even more so.
He checks with Jay (who shrugs) and Gideon (who nods enthusiastically), but it’s Nix’s opinion he is most concerned with.
“Angel? It’s not just me in this…”
Nix just hugs his arm.
“You have to learn how to control your magic—because right now, it’s controlling you. Plus, we’ll have a better chance of handling whatever Withers sends our way if you do. I say do it.”
Grayson checks in with the others, and there’s not one negative response—with a notable exception.
“Ro?”
Rowan comes out from behind the loveseat so he can rub his nose over Nix’s hoodie-clad belly, where their babies lie tucked up under their mate’s heart. His intention is clear:don’t hurt them.
“Yeah, okay. I get it.”
Selinde’s eyebrows are up into her hairline. Whether it is Rowan-wolf or their pregnant mate, he can’t be sure. Like with most people, it’s probably both.
“I have to be careful of him. He’s my soulmate, and sometimes, if I pull too much…”
She must have good instincts—or good manners—because she nods but doesn’t talk about Nix’s baby bump.
