Page 59 of Frayed Owner

Winter showed up with one of the golf carts like I asked and several other people, including Wyatt who looked pissed again.

I held up my finger to my lips and kept my voice low. “He just zonked out while we were talking. Like mid-conversation just fell onto me cartoon-style.”

“Shit, his power jump must have really hit him hard,” Winter worried. “Okay, we got him. The Oliverias can baby him. He’s definitely going to need a few days off.”

“Should I apologize?” I hedged, shrugging when all of them gave me a look when I was crazy. “Hey, unplanned is unplanned. His whole life got flipped on its head because of me and my shit. He didn’t ask for any of this. I understand that.”

“It’s cool you do, and you’re really a good person for seeing that,” Winter’s friend, Danny, said quietly. “But you gave him a miracle, so you’ve more than paid him back.”

“Yeah, a miracle,” I chuckled darkly. “Cool.” I thanked them when they picked Link up off of me and got him settled in the golf cart.

“This is going to come off wrong, but you don’t sound very grateful and it’s confusing,” one of the other friends, Nate, hedged. “I’d give a nut to be that cool and have this magic.”

I bristled at that, people always so quick to say too much about what they didn’t understand. “Really? You should learn a bit about the history of human saints who gave miracles. Read how most of them ended. Hell, look atourhistory. What happened to those who discovered new magic or revolutionized a type of our magic? Let me know how cool it is then.”

Winter moved his hand to his friend’s chest telling him to back off, focused on me when I met his gaze. “And one miracle is never enough. People always want more—expectmore. The level is always raised and the demands crushing. Most are crushed under them.”

“Among other things,” I agreed. “So yeah, I would appreciate it if ‘miracle’ was stricken from everyone’s vocabulary. It’s not a miracle to me. It’s just something else people will want from me—demand or threaten for. Force me to do because all of you hope I’ll do the same for you. Don’t deny it. The council will pressure me for it.”

“You’re right,” Nate agreed. “I’m sorry. I did hope you could do the same for me. I should have thought more.”

“It’s fine,” I forgave. “The grass is always greener and all of that.” It was awkward after that, so I was glad when Winter sent his friends in the cart back with Link and we walked instead. Even if Wyatt joined us. It was calm and quiet.

I just wish it had lasted a bit longer becauseeveryone—people who had been there and a lot more who had shown up—wanted to talk more about everything and too much when I arrived. I met Nate’s gaze and he nodded, fully understanding and accepting that I was right after just seeing this.

“Stop,stop,” Councilman Reid cut in for everyone. “Stop. She is eighteen. I want everyone to repeat that several times. I keep forgetting how young she is too. We cannot be—she is not the answer to everything. She is notours. This is why—we will break her.”

“And she needs to start being valued more so you fools don’t keep losing your heads,” Mrs. Oliveria said firmly. “Some of you are doingnothingfor all she puts in. We are doing tons. Mark paid for the large familiar housing at Morrigan to support her vision and this progress. Laura is diving back into Morrigan to protect her and other witches.

“I’m helping with the renovations here and involved in other areas along with our chefs. The Moons have done the same. Fine, some of you are paying for your sessions now as punishment—paying should be the standard.” She shook her head when people argued. “We canafford it. She’s given brushes, blankets, and treats—how much in magic?”

“Agreed,” Taylor said firmly, crossing his arms over his wide chest as he stared down a few people in particular. “We’re giving her a discount—a heavy discount—for all the help she’s giving my people.”

“You are?” I asked, blinking at him.

His eyes softened as he focused on me. “Yes. Very heavy. Did you think Tracey would allow anything else?”

Tracey snorted and gave me a glance that she was almost insulted.

“It’s a lot to keep up with,” I reminded her.

“Fair, but I don’t let people abuse you, kid. I never have. I never will. Which is why I agree. It was different when I was the only proof and they could explain away a lot. You—there is no denying what you’ve done for Link in six weeks. Pay up, and enough trying to railroad you. It’s time people accept you hold all the cards.”

I sighed. That never went well, but I hated all this part.

Still, it worked. Councilman Reid seemed pleased when a few agreed to step up and at least help with the renovations at the council estate. Others were going to be seen more in education, and one was from Demeter and was going to make a fuss about what happened there.

After some back and forth, a going rate per session was decided—besides those who were being punished, but if they worked hard and didn’t cause trouble, I would only charge them that for a few more months.

Several other things were discussed and honestly I tuned most of it out, wishing to get out of there and just let the adults talk. Hell, I was a bit annoyed they just all invited themselves to my house, saying how nice it was to be there and once the patio was finished they should bring wine and let their familiars roam.

Yeah, sure, whatever. That wasn’t rude and totally fine.

“We’ve gotten way off track,” Councilman Reid finally said. “And your help for the Wicked Challenges passed out from exhaustion. So what is your prank so we can figure out how to get you some help, Bevin?”

It took me a second to realize he was talking to me or the conversation—basically that I had to pay attention. I would have normally politely brushed it off and just done my own thing, but I was tired and the change startled me too, so I told them the truth.

He blinked at me for a moment and I flinched when one of the other councilmen burst out laughing.

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