Page 36 of From the Edge

Mell saw something in her eyes and covered her mouth as the little one was handed over.

Keres snickered as she caught on.

Norecayet’s eyes went wide as the little body shuddered hard and then the wailing started.

Rowan smiled. “And the honour of the first really gnarly diaper goes to... Papa!”

He looked at her with a rueful smile. “I accept the honour. Mellwyn, would you supervise?”

Mell was giggling as the stench followed the two, and she nodded to Rowan as she passed.

Keres chuckled. “You knew he was going to go off.”

Rowan turned and showed the bright ripples under her skin. “Impact tremors.”

Keres reached out and paused. “Does it hurt?”

“It is a tapping that echoes. Telling when a kid is going to take a gnarly shit is a superpower. I have never been caught yet.”

Keres chuckled. “May I touch your skin?”

“Yes. Push too hard and I use lust to put you down. You and yours are flowing with it. It is an easy power to grasp.”

Keres blinked. “What?”

“Oh, just another skill I have. I transmute lust into readily available magic. It is my tool and defense.”

Keres blinked. “Right. I will be careful.”

Rowan stood while long, slim fingers caressed her arm and shoulder. She felt the analysis on her skin, and Keres was being very careful.

Keres pulled her fingers back. “You aren’t an elf. This isn’t elf energy.”

“I know that. Duh. I am an omega mage with impulse-control issues.” She smiled. “Oh, and a witch. Two things can be true.”

Keres looked at her. “I would love to see witchcraft in action.”

Rowan chuckled. “Come with me to the gardens. You will begin to understand.”

They walked toward the back, and when Dante came out, he followed them. The sunset was letting shadows touch the plants, and those that could were glowing.

She opened the garden gate and propped it open.

“That is important?”

“If you want to leave without me, it is. If those gates close, you are locked in here with me until I choose to leave. That has been fatal in the past.” Rowan smiled as she entered her garden.

“This... there is so much power here.”

“Yes. I give it to friends, family, to those who eat at my table. I use them to heal, to seal, and to strengthen the grounds themselves. It has taken years, but this is the most secure land in the area. It defends itself. The garden goes on the offensive if I am not here. It has torn quite a few shadow mages and elite to pieces and used them to strengthen the wards around this property.”

“Not for the plants?”

“No, the plants were watered with my blood during the attack on Aspen. I can give benefits from the garden because the benefits came from my blood.”

“Oh. I didn’t consider that.”

Rowan’s heels clicked as she walked them through the enclosed garden. “The consumption of the local plants never touches the well that feeds the property. The plants in the garden don’t consume living beings. That was too gross even for me.”