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“It’s really good,” he told Calder. “Kudos to your grandmother and to you for making this.”
The sounds of utensils striking plates and grunts of appreciation surrounded the table. Hale’s thigh touched his before he murmured a faint apology and moved his leg. Harrison glanced at him to find the man watching him as he chewed. There was something in those eyes that sent a buzz through Harrison, one he shoved aside to think about later.
But that wasn’t the only feeling he got from Hale. The man was worried, and it showed in the pinched line over his brows. There was also something faintly vulnerable about him. Something that called to a protectiveness in Harrison he was unfamiliar with.
He looked around the room to find the same fine lines of worry on each and every face. Not only would the trip be hard with pestilents determined to take a Weaver out, but they’d have to close the rift at the end of it. And although he was prepared for this, even he couldn’t help but be apprehensive. So very much counted on them being successful.
The whole world’s existence was balanced on their shoulders.
The stories picked up again and laughter returned to the table. They were trying to keep the mood up; it was obvious.
Hale set his fork down, his gaze on Grey. “I want to see you make a person think they’re a chicken before we leave. I heard you’ve done that.”
“Haven’t in a while,” Grey admitted. A faint blush tinged Grey’s sharp cheekbones. “We don’t get too many deliveries these days.”
“I had a delivery today,” Wiley piped up. “Several crystals used in spells. Too bad you weren’t here.”
“I admit, I feel a little guilty when I do it.” But Grey grinned. “Only a little, though.”
“Well, damn. I could have seen that today,” Hale said. “But I was outside, learning not to fly into buildings.”
They all started talking, almost over each other, and Harrison’s gaze flitted about the table. He wasn’t used to such a boisterous group. His life had always been quiet—he’d always been mostly alone. He listened and chuckled at the remembered shenanigans, already feeling like part of the group. In a way.
His fingers seemed to be unconsciously drawn to the pendant. It was mildly warm against his chest as if heated by his own body. A comforting, familiar weight that had followed him most of his life. He had one job while the Weavers were ultimately going to be the ones to save the Earth.
“Isn’t Sedona in the desert?” Baer asked. “Clay, how will you use your powers?”
Clay paused with a chicken thigh halfway to his mouth. He sat at the head of the table as he had the night before. “I looked it up, and there is plenty of vegetation and rocks in that area, but I can also crack the ground if needed. It’s water we may have trouble finding.”
Calder nodded. “I thought of that. I should be able to pull water from the trees and cacti, but it’s going to damage them, so I don’t need you whining about your precious greenery.”
Clay laughed. “I think we’ll be pulling out all stops for this. I’ll refrain from bitching.”
Baer lifted his beer. “Don’t tell Lucien to pull out all the stops. He’ll burn the whole damn state down.”
Lucien flipped him off. “We’ll see how much wildlife you can call in to help.”
“There will be coyotes and bobcats. I think there are javelina in that area as well. Get enough of those, and there’ll be pandemonium.”
Wiley snorted, probably at the thought of a bunch of wild pigs attacking.
Harrison took another bite of his mashed potatoes, still hyper-aware of Hale sitting next to him. But Clay caught his attention when he cleared his throat and stood.
“I have something to say.”
The table grew quiet.
Clay paused and looked around at everyone. “I have come to care for each and every one of you. You’ve become my family. This trip is going to be long, and we’ll be fighting pestilents the whole way. All they have to do is take one of us out, and they know it. So, I’m going to need each and every one of you to stay aware at all times. No going off alone, we’ll buddy up everywhere we go. I know we’re all needed to work the spell, but you all mean more to me than I thought possible and well, it would plain suck to lose anyone.”
“Aw,” Baer said. “We love you, too.”
“We’ve built a home here,” Clay continued after grinning at the redhead. “As far as I’m concerned, this is not our last meal here. I plan to come back here and live with Dane. I know there’s not a lot of privacy and that each of you may decide to make your homes elsewhere, but just know this house stays open to all Weavers and their mates. Always. You, too, Harrison. You’re part of this group now. And,” he paused, glancing at each man, “I started a journal of my own for the next generation—just in case.” He frowned. “But I have a gut feeling we’re going to succeed this time. We’ve been given precious gifts in our soul mates. That has to mean something. We all have so much to live for now.”
