Page 35 of The Aether

“Why do I feel like I just got played?” he murmured.

“Because she’s one thousand percent your child,” Vivian replied pertly. “Now, tell me what you intend to do to protect Nate.”

“Talk to the Authority. They’ve been—pardon the expression—houndingme to head up their new task force. I suppose they’ll get their wish in exchange for another Guardian to protect our children.”

“Will it be dangerous? The job?”

Her worry warmed him. “Perhaps, but so far, there hasn’t been born a standard witch or warlock who can defeat me, Viv. Rest easy.”

CHAPTER12

Sebastian greeted him with a handshake and a frown. “You’re here early, Dethridge. What’s up?”

Damian gestured to his daughter. “We are here to secure two of your new puppies.”

“Ah.” Baz’s mouth twitched as he glanced down at Sabrina. “Looks like I owe you a free puppy.”

“You made a side bet with her?” Damian scoffed. “Are you mad?”

With a grin, Sabrina charged toward the rear of the Drakes’ home.

“Nah. It’s not like I forgot the little sprite can predict the future. I simply had a hard time believing you’d welcome two pups, and not housebroken at that, into your pristine palace, old man.”

Baz clapped him on the back, then followed Sabrina as Damian shook his head and trailed them. Before he could turn the corner, Mackenzie Thorne-Drake came down the terrace steps, holding her infant daughter, Delaney.

“Damian! Baz said you’d be here today to collect the pups. You’d have missed us in another half hour. We’re heading out to Alastair’s for a family celebration.”

Ah, the reason for Sabrina picking this ungodly hour. Silently knocking over his king on the chessboard in his mind, he conceded the game to Beastie.

“Yes, well, Nate was born last night, and Sabrina assured me we’re in need of two of your latest litter to keep her brother safe at some future date.”

“Nate—oh!” She appeared taken aback. “Your visions haven’t returned?”

“Not yet.” He didn’t want to tell her that he suspected the deities and the Authority were holding that particular gift of his hostage until he agreed to their job offer.

“Wait, what? Nate was born last night? Does Vivian need anything?”

“She’s doing well, but you can take a few minutes to introduce Delaney to Nate if you’d like.” According to a very recent prediction by Sabrina, the two children were bonded and would eventually be inseparable.

“No offense, but I’d better not. If they are truly going to bond, it’s better to wait until we get back.” She shrugged in her matter-of-fact way and tossed her brilliant red hair over her shoulder. “Neither of us needs to have inconsolable babies over the next few days.”

“Truth. Are you intending to move in after you return, then?” he asked dryly.

She laughed, and the wind kicked up, causing the last of the autumn leaves to flitter down from their branches and settle on the ground around them. “We’ll have to figure out a plan moving forward, or I suspect you’ll be babysitting Delaney quite a bit in the future.”

Mack was right to assume he’d never let his son off their property until Nate could protect himself. Sabrina had reached that stage, and still, it was difficult to have her out of his sight.

“I’m glad Sebastian found you, Mack,” Damian said experiencing a bout of sentimentality. “You’ve healed the hole Vivian’s defection left, and you’ve brought him the true love he didn’t realize he was missing with her.”

Her smile was pure sunshine. “Thank you, Damian. For everything you’ve done to help us get here.”

Not long ago, the Enchantress had found a way to resurrect herself using Mackenzie’s psychic abilities. Damian and Sabrina had both played a role in saving Mack and banishing the Darkness hounding them to the Netherworld. As a result, Mack and Sebastian had fallen in love, and the hatred Baz had felt for him was put to rest.

“You’re the best thing that happened to all of us, Mack,” he replied. “You helped my daughter come out of her shell, were instrumental in saving her life, and you’ve eased the bitterness your husband felt toward my family. It was a fortunate day when you set foot on this estate.”

She laughed, and the beautiful sound of her joy carried through the barn, causing the birds overhead to pause their chatter and listen.

“None of us thought so at the time when your mother was freed from her tomb,” Mack said pertly.

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