Discord Jones: Black Magic Shadows Part 17

"You're welcome. Do you need more of them?"

I laughed, resting my cheek against his shoulder, face turned away from his so I could sniff the roses again. "Nope, they and the hug are enough. I already feel better."

Logan began to rub my upper back with one hand, his other hand flat across my lower back. "Why did you feel bad? Too much champagne last night?"

"No, something else, but kind of Thorandryll related."

"Need to talk about it?"

I lifted my head and leaned back enough to look at his face. "Don't know. It might scare you away. Certainly scares me."

"I'm not sure anything can scare me away from you."

"Oh, my G.o.d. You just proved it: You are taking cla.s.ses in how to say the exact right thing." I kissed him before pulling free, and grabbed his hand to make certain he followed me up the stairs. We sat down at the top of them, and Logan put his arm around me. I held the rose bouquet in my lap.

"No, you just bring out the best in me."

"Yeah, right." My scoffing earned a grin from him.

"We're sitting, which I take to mean you do want to talk about it. Am I right?"

I hesitated before nodding. "The meeting didn't exactly go as planned."

"Thorandryll's still in one piece? d.a.m.n." Logan gave me a little squeeze. "So how did it go?"

After I told him, Logan was silent for a moment. He didn't put any s.p.a.ce between us, which I took as a good sign. "Lord Kadon's right. Making the best of things is all anyone can do."

"I guess, but geeze, I feel like I have a big, red bull's eye painted on my back. Like just being around me makes life more dangerous for everyone else." I bit my lip before adding, "I was thinking maybe I should stop seeing my family so much. I've already caused them enough trouble."

Logan shook his head. "I think you'd better talk to them, and let them decide."

"Mom and Dad won't like the idea."

"Right, and why should they? They love you."

I sighed, a long exhalation that seemed to come all the way from my toes. "I love them too, or I wouldn't even worry about it. And maybe I should leave the clan. You can throw me out or whatever it takes."

"No."

I turned to look at him. He was looking back. "Maeve wants s.h.i.+fters dead. All s.h.i.+fters. She doesn't like..."

"Who the h.e.l.l cares what she likes? I don't. Terra doesn't. I'm d.a.m.n sure O'Meara and the other s.h.i.+fter leaders don't either." Logan's eyes began to lighten. "Much as the elves would like to think otherwise, they are not our leaders. They aren't the leaders of anything but themselves, and maybe a few species that prefer to look to them for guidance. They've held themselves up to humans as our overlords, and they've always considered just about everyone else beneath them, but they aren't in charge."

Whew, I seemed to have struck a nerve. "Okay, then who is in charge?"

"The closest thing the supe community here has to a single leader is Lord Kadon. When he chooses to become involved, which he seldom does." Logan's eyes began to darken again. "Aside from him, it's the Council."

"The vampire Council?"

"No, the High Council, made up from chosen leaders. None of which are s.h.i.+fters." Logan's top lip curled a touch. "We're not considered important enough for seats on it."

That was just wrong, but figuring he already knew that, I didn't say it. "So do s.h.i.+fters have a Council of their own?"

"No." He suddenly grinned. "It's a cat and dog thing."

"Oh, for crying out loud." I lifted the roses for a long, deep breath of their perfume. "That's ridiculous."

He shrugged. "The wolves consider themselves better than the other canid s.h.i.+fters, and all canid s.h.i.+fters think they're better than feline s.h.i.+fters. That general feeling's mutual, because the canids are more p.r.o.ne to act on emotion."

"You're saying they're hot-headed, like me."

"You're not nearly as reactive as wolves can be," he said, squeezing me again.

"Speaking of reactive, I'm having lunch with the family today. Want to come with? There'll be plenty of food."

Logan accepted my subject change without pause. "Love to, if you're sure it's okay. I know Betty's not particularly fond of supes."

"No, but she's getting better about it." My step-mother hadn't twigged to the fact that it was my fault Dalsarin had targeted my little brother, Sean, a couple of months ago.

I hoped Betty never realized that, because our relations.h.i.+p had improved immensely since I'd saved Sean. Now, she was genuinely pleased to see me, instead of pretending she was for my dad's sake.

Honestly, I couldn't believe she hadn't figured it out. Maybe Betty had, but preferred to focus on the positive part of the situation: The part where I'd been willing to risk my own life for Sean's.

If that was the case, it worked for me. I'd never enjoyed making her uncomfortable.

"Then I'm game," Logan said.

"Great. Let me get the dogs."

He laughed. "They're invited too?"

"Yeah. They're family." I pecked him on the cheek before standing.

I teleported us to Mom's back yard, and braced myself as my little brothers saw us appear.

"Cordi!" both yelled, racing toward me.

Dropping to my knees, I caught them and laughed. "Hey, how are you guys?"

They didn't have a chance to answer because Amadeus, their c.o.c.ker Spaniel, began screaming in terror.

Mom, Dad, and Betty rushed out of the back door in response, Dad grabbed Amadeus, and the Spaniel peed on him. "Oh, great. That's just..." Dad held the dog clear, looking down at his clothes. "What's wrong with him?"

He's scared of us, Bone said. What a wimp.

"Be nice." I climbed to my feet. "He's scared of my big dogs."

Meanwhile Amadeus was struggling, his back legs kicking wildly. His yelping was incoherent. "c.r.a.p. Leglin, can you..."

Squishy barked. Stop that.

To my surprise, Amadeus fell silent.

They're not mean. We live with them, my chubby Chihuahua said. And we're littler than you.

"I think you can put him down now."

"Good." Dad carefully put Amadeus on the ground. The Spaniel cowered at his feet, s.h.i.+vering violently. "Poor boy."

Prejudice even in the Animal Kingdom. How wonderful. "Let me try talking to him."

"You do that. I'm going to clean up." Dad gestured at his s.h.i.+rt and slacks. "h.e.l.lo, Logan."

"Hi. Sorry for the noisy arrival."

My dad laughed. "Never a dull moment."

"We'd better get back to the food. I'm glad you could join us, Logan." Mom stooped to pat Amadeus. "It's alright, boy."

"It's nice to see you again." Betty smiled, her eyes flicking from Logan to my pitties. "Are you sure everything will be okay?"

Sean chose that moment to tackle Diablo. My black pit fell over sideways, grunting as Sean landed on him. Betty's face went white. Diablo turned his head and swiped his tongue across my brother's face, reducing Sean to giggles.

I smiled. "Yeah, everything will be fine. Bone and Diablo won't hurt anyone."

"Okay." Betty nibbled her bottom lip, but went inside. Pleased she was trusting me, I walked over to the furry heap that was Amadeus.

"Hey, they won't hurt you. I promise."

Amadeus lifted his head, his big, brown eyes sad. I can't save my kids if they attack them.

Aww, the poor thing. I crouched beside him. "They won't hurt the boys either. Look."

Bone was allowing Jonah to climb all over him, while Diablo had Sean pinned and was was.h.i.+ng his face, while my brother giggled and wiggled. "See? They're good boys, like you."

The Spaniel s.h.i.+vered. They've fought.

"Yeah, they had to. They don't anymore, except to protect people." I stroked his back. "They'll help you protect the kids, if they're around and something happens."

Really?

"Really. Come on, I'll introduce you to them." Fortunately, that went well and no more pee fountains occurred.

"You made front page news." Mom brandished a newspaper as Logan and I walked in. "Did you have fun?"

"The food was fantastic, but I could've done without the rest. Need any help?"

"Just carrying things to the table. Logan, will you please call in the boys? Everyone needs to wash their hands." My mother was in full Mom Mode, tossing the newspaper onto the kitchen table and nodding to Betty as the latter pa.s.sed her with a platter of ham.

"Yes, ma'am." Logan about-faced and went back out. Amusing how he already knew who was in charge during Jones family gatherings.

Twenty minutes later, we were all seated at the dining table. I notice the bottle of non-alcoholic, sparkling grape juice, and smiled. Mom never let kids feel left out.

"Everything looks and smells great. Thanks, Mom and Betty."

Both women smiled from their seats on either side of Dad, who sat at the head of the table. Jonah sat between Betty and me; Sean between Mom and Logan. The dogs were sitting around or under the table, licking their chops with hopeful expressions.

"Far cry from a fancy ball." Mom began filling Sean's plate.

"I think we both prefer this." Logan glanced across the table at me. "Right?"

"You bet. I know everyone, and cameras aren't being shoved in my face." I took the ham platter when Betty pa.s.sed it, speared a slice, and handed the platter to Logan.

"Well, you looked lovely." Betty rose to pour wine and sparkling grape juice for everyone. "Where'd you find that dress?"

"The mall, at uh, one of the boutiques. Can't remember which one." To my dismay, Thorandryll's ball remained a big part of the dinner conversation.

d.a.m.n elf.

"No, that's enough. Their tummies are going to pop," I said, stopping Jonah from giving Speck another piece of ham. Mom had cooked two, one without glaze for the dogs.

The menfolk had fed them while Mom, Betty, and I cleaned up the kitchen.

Amadeus had recovered fully, and stood between Bone and Diablo, wiggling as they waited for more ham.

I put away the last dish. "All done. We'd better head home. I have work tomorrow."

"Alright." Mom dried her hands and hugged me. More hugs followed, as well as untangling little boys from dogs.

I teleported us home, to my front yard.

"Potty time, guys. Get to it."

Logan tugged on my hand, and I turned into him for a hug. "That was fun. I like your family."

"Thanks. Sorry about Amadeus' freak-out."

He chuckled. "He did alright. I felt sorry for him."

"Yeah. He's sort of dopey, but he loves the boys."

"Good. I," Logan kissed the tip of my nose. "Should go home. Got a few things to wrap up before I talk to Lord Whitehaven."

Darn. "Okay. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"I'll be waiting." He dipped his head, brus.h.i.+ng his cheek against mine, and then kissed me. "Bye."

"Bye." I felt a bit breathless, and a whole lot giddy. Was I falling in love? Watching Logan walk down the drive, I thought maybe so.