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Charlotte rolled her eyes. “I know that you and Connall will protect us, and obviously, Ari will protect Sophia, but if we don’t know who these people are, we don’t know who we’re being protected against. What if their powers or gifts or whatever are way stronger than ours?”
Ari shook his head. “There’s no way.”
“I don’t understand.”
“There may be the occasional Cauld Ane or Kalt Einn who might have stronger powers than you do individually. For instance, Pepper, you could not defend yourself fully against me because I am your Papa, and your gift is partly from me. But no one would be able to defend themselves from two of you, and if the three of you work together... well, I pity the person who would be stupid enough to try.”
Charlotte glanced at Pepper, and the girls laughed.
“Did you hear that, Con?” Pepper said. “You’re gonna need to behave when my sisters and I are together.”
Connall shook his head. “No monster creating, Ari.”
“Sorry,” Ari said with a smile.
“When will you know what we’re up against?” Pepper asked.
“Kaspar and Jesska arrive in less than a week, and we’ll regroup then. Don’t worry, elskan. We’ll take care of everything.”
“Have you sorted out where you’ll stay?” Charlotte asked.
Niall and Connall still weren’t comfortable with Ari staying in their homes. Megan had assured Pepper and Charlotte she understood their reluctance, and she and Ari made other arrangements.
Megan nodded. “We have suites at the Caledonian.”
Charlotte noticed Sophia frown at that. “Do you think Sophia could stay with us?”
Sophia perked up. “Please, Mom?”
Pepper and Charlotte grinned. “Please, Mom,” they added in stereo.
Megan laughed, her eyes filling with joyous tears. “Okay, okay. If you would like her to stay, she can stay.”
“We would like her to stay,” Charlotte said.
Megan shook her head. “You have no idea how I’ve longed for my girls to call me Mom.”
“Girls’ day tomorrow,” Pepper announced. “The men will all be trying to figure out what’s going on anyway, so maybe we can tour the Mile and have lunch. Just the five of us.”
“Our family will be here tomorrow as well, love,” Connall pointed out.
“That’s right.” Pepper smiled. “So we’ll take everyone.”
“I love that idea,” Charlotte said.
“I do too,” Megan agreed.
“It’s not too much?” Charlotte asked.
“No, honey,” Megan assured. “I love the idea of getting to know the people you love the most.” She glanced at Ari and then back at Charlotte. “I wanted to talk to you about something, actually, and we’ll do whatever you want to do, but I’d like to spend some time in Scotland... an extended amount of time. With both of you. Pepper, we can come to Inverness... or just I can. I absolutely understand if it’s too much too soon.” She sighed. “Whatever you’d like to do.”
Charlotte could see that Megan wanted to be sensitive in the wake of Ari’s bad judgment, but she could also see the longing on her face. The longing of a mother for her children. “I would love that,” Charlotte said.
“I would too,” Pepper said. “And knowing how hard it is to be separated from your mate, I would never ask you to come alone.” Charlotte saw her squeeze Connall’s knee and figured he was probably objecting to something, albeit telepathically. “I think we can work something out where both of you can stay. Right, baby?”
Connall stared at Pepper for a few seconds and Charlotte wasn’t sure what he’d do, but in the end, he nodded his agreement. Pepper grinned in victory. “I love you.”
Connall rolled his eyes, but leaned over to kiss her with a smile.
