Page 19 of Dark Witch: Twin Destinies

Peter chuckled. "You are not that old, Eleanor. Why don't you have the list on your phone?"

She shrugged. "It's less time-consuming to just write it on paper, and this way, I know that no one can hack the info and get into one of those bungalows without my permission."

Peter rose, spread the page on Emmett's desk, and snapped a photo. "Thank you. We will look at one or two and let you know which one we've selected."

"Good deal. You can also use the paranormals' dining room if you wish. It's less crowded and more intimate. The Guardians prefer it to the one in the lodge or the staff dining room."

Peter dipped his head. "Thank you. Have we made any progress with finding paranormals among the seminars' attendees?"

Eleanor shrugged. "We found a few talents, but nothing spectacular so far." She trained her dark, small eyes on Marina. "How about you? Any paranormal talents?"

Marina shook her head. "I'm afraid not."

"What about the rapid language absorption?" Peter asked. "Couldn't that count as a paranormal ability?"

"It might." Eleanor still had her eyes trained on Marina. "We should get you tested."

Marina swallowed. "I don't see the point. If I were a Dormant, I would have transitioned already. Peter and I haven't been using protection."

Eleanor pursed her lips. "I've heard of Dormants who took weeks to transition. It might still happen to you."

"I don't think it will and testing me won't change that."

"As you wish." Eleanor stood up and offered Marina her hand. "I'll keep my fingers crossed for you."

14

JASMINE

After the meal had wound down and the coffee table was cleared, Jasmine rose to her feet. "I'm going to head to our bedroom," she told Edgar as she gathered her supplies. "I want to get started on my scrying stick."

Margo looked up at her. "How long do you expect it will take you to make it?"

Jasmine shrugged. "I don't know. Why?"

"Kian is dropping by this afternoon with William, and later, we plan to do some shopping for the trip. We need warm clothing and hiking boots. It's going to be freezing at night where we're headed."

Jasmine couldn't suppress a grimace. Cold weather was not her friend. She was a creature of sunshine and heat, and the thought of trudging through snow and ice and huddling in sub-zero temperatures sent a shiver down her spine, but it wasn't as if she had a choice.

She'd agreed to help look for the royal twins, knowing they were in Tibet. She just hadn't known much about the place.

Oh well, a little discomfort was a small price to pay for the chance of a lifetime to do something extraordinary.

"If I'm not done by the time Kian gets here, just let me know he's here, and I'll drop what I'm doing."

"Really?" Margo looked doubtful. "Don't you need to complete a ritual once you start it?"

"I do, but each step doesn't take long. It will be fine."

Edgar rose to his feet. "I'll come with you."

She put a hand on his chest. "I need to work alone, and you need to plan a trip. Stay."

He didn't look happy, but he nodded, planted a chaste kiss on her forehead, and sat back on the floor.

The door to the other penthouse wasn't locked, and as Jasmine entered, she took a moment to admire the view before heading to the bedroom with her supplies.

She covered the desk with a clean white towel, laid out her tools, and began stripping the bark from the willow branch.

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