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“They’re getting ready for bed,” Matt says. Before he can say anything else, I hear the sound of little feet flying across the floor toward the camera.
“Is that Aunty Pearl?” Makayla asks, pushing her dad aside so that she can see me on the screen.
“It is!” Nora says, climbing up onto her sister to get a better look. “Are you coming over?”
I shake my head and feel tears cloud my eyes.
“Not today. I hope I’ll be there soon.”
“Can we send Aunty Opal to get her so she can come sing me a song before bedtime?” Nora asks her mother.
“Aunty Pearl, I’ve been training with Rayne.” Makayla cuts off her mother’s response.
I glance at Breanne, not wanting to ruin Makayla’s mood but also unsure if Rayne is a good influence for any child.
“That’s great! Did your momma decide that was a good idea?”
Bree nods and mouths, “Nightmares.”
I dip my chin, acknowledging her words before turning my gaze back to Mak.
“You’ve been having dreams again?” I ask. She shares a dark look with her mother.
“Some.”
“I’ll be home soon, and we’ll do another healing session,” I promise her. The two women across from me gasp.
“You heal them?” Narissa asks, and I nod.
“They’re my family.”
“All right, girls. Say goodnight to Aunty Pearl and get into bed,” Breanne says, causing both girls to pout.
“I promise I’ll be home soon, but I need to talk to your dad for a minute.”
“Will you sing me a song after you’re done talking to Daddy?” Nora asks, and I smile.
“When she’s done talking to Daddy, I’ll bring the phone into your room,” Breanne says, ushering the girls out of the room without giving me the option to say no.
“Now that the excitement is done for the night, why don’t I show you a little about our island here?” Matt says, the screen switching from his face to an aerial view of the island. The camera zooming in on different villages spread throughout, ending with a beautiful shot of the sun rising behind the academy. “Any questions?”
“Yeah. How do you have children?” Kristle blurts, her mother elbowing her in the side.
It’s so complicated that I cannot answer, but Matt has no problem with it.
“Before the attacks, we were shielded by Artie—that’s Artemis—so that the infertility didn’t reach us. When she created this island…”
“Created?” Narissa asks.
“Yes, our earth witches were working hard to create it, but Artemis took over because they were—in her words— ‘taking too long.’ She blessed the island with her magic, and eventually her mother, Demeter, added to it as well. It’s still difficult, but the people here have a better chance of having children.”
“So, if we choose to call your island our home, it’s possible for us to have children?” Kristle asks, still sounding unbelieving.
Matt and I share a look, and I hope he treads carefully here.
“I won’t lie to you. It’s possible but not probable,” he explains. “Those that weren’t shielded from the first attack are still having fertility issues. Some get pregnant, only to lose the baby.”
I glance at Narissa and Kristle, seeing the concern in their eyes.
