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Walking out, I go to the stables, the storm raging outside as I see Peter trying to shut the stable doors which had blown open with Pluto. The wind moves so quickly it is bending the trees, leaves and debris flying everywhere.

Shutting the doors, I step inside. “Storm came out of nowhere was fine a few minutes ago,” Pluto says. The horses all spooked in their stalls.

“You can stay in the castle tonight Pluto, where is your brother?” I ask him.

“Out in that,” he says worriedly.

“I will have a room set up for you both, what needs doing?”

“Nothing now Pluto and I got it all sorted.”

“Sorry I was a little distracted,” I tell them.

“Well, I am going to head home,” Peter says.

“Not in that you’re not. Come, you can stay in the castle tonight,” I tell him.

“No, it’s fine Silas, it’s not that far.”

I shake my head. “No, you’re staying you will blow away in the wind out there you’re too scrawny,” I tell him.

Pluto chuckles as Peter looks down at himself. “Fine, I will tell Abbie,” he says, walking toward the back of the stables.

“Abbie is here?” I ask, following him.

“Yeah, her and Claire ducked in here when the rain started to come down on their way back from the greenhouses, they were near the fire heater up the back.” he says. As we enter another room, I find Abbie sitting on a chair, Claire on her lap trying to warm up around the fire.

“Have you seen Dakari?” she asks looking up as we turn around the corner.

“He was at the orphanage, he will be back soon,” I tell her. She nods looking back at the flames. Claire looks over her shoulder at me, watching me in that weird eerie way she does sometimes.

“Come on, it is freezing out here, come inside,” I tell her.

“No, I will wait for Dakari. The wind is terrible,” she admits. I walk over, putting out the fire pit before turning around and reaching for Claire. “No, it’s fine, Silas. We can wait,” she protests.

“Stop being stubborn, come on,” I tell her, grabbing Claire from her and taking her hand and hauling her to her feet. Her belly is nearly as big as Lora’s. I let her go once she is standing but continue to carry Claire.

Walking to the front of the stables Pluto stands up. “Did you put the fire out?” I nod.

“Keep a grip on Peter, don’t want him to fly off in the wind,” I tell him, and he grabs Peter’s hand.

“Really I’m not a baby,” he says, shaking him off. I open the door, the wind gust pushing the door in nearly as I hold it.

“On second thought,” Peter says, grabbing Pluto’s hand, making me chuckle. I turn to shield Claire from the wind.

“Hang on to Pluto until I close the door,” I tell Abbie. Pluto grabs her hand, and we all step out. I force the door shut, bracing it with some wood. Turning around, I grab Abbie’s other hand and we run for the castle. This was by far the biggest storm we have had in years. The wind is so strong that branches are breaking off and flying from the trees. Making it to the castle doors, I pull them open. Abbie takes Claire from me, and we all step inside.

“Hate to see the damage tomorrow,” Peter says, and I agree this storm is going to wreak havoc.

“Can I borrow the castle phone to call my mom?” Peter asks.

“Of course, if you are worried, I can go get her,” I tell him.

“No offense but I think she would rather take her chances,” Peter says.

“None taken, go call your mom,” I tell him walking into the study. Pluto follows me as I sit in front of the fire.

“Can you watch her for a second, I just want to go find us some dry clothes.”