Page 40 of Highballs & Hexes

She sauntered over to him, hips swishing to a lazy drum beat every man heard when they witnessed the dancer-like motion of her body. With a kiss on his cheek, she said, “As much as I appreciate the offer and would love to see Vivian again, I’ll pass. Tonight should be about you and your family getting to learning more about your lost lamb.”

She then approached Noah and patted his chest. “Take the time to truly know him,” she said in a low voice. “He’s worth it.”

“How do you know?”

“Because he’s selflessly saved my family.Multipletimes. Damian isn’t the villain you believe him to be, Noah. I promise.”

And so, fifteen minutes later, he found himself seated at a table on Ravenwood’s terrace, drink in hand, as he watchedSabrina run around, making leaf dragons that danced on the wind.

His heart ached as the sound of her laughter drifted to him. How many family dinners had he missed because of the suspicion and sibling resentment instilled by his father?

“She’s a handful,” Vivian told Noah with a laughing look for her husband. “Damian swears she gets her mischievous personality traits from me, but I beg to differ.”

“I was an angel. Ask Nathanial the next time we see him.”

Noah’s head swiveled to stare at his brother. “The man is still alive? How is it possible?”

“He was one of two Guardians assigned to watch over the garden. When Mother woke, a battle ensued, and we lost Nathanial. Not long after, Evie, his wife and the second Guardian, crossed into the Otherworld.” Damian gave him a half smile. “From time to time, when needed, Nathanial and Evie cross the veil to help us out. With Isis’s permission of course.”

“Sure, and my puir brain is full to bursting with all the knowledge it consumed today,” Noah muttered. “Do you not blame her for your foster father’s death?”

Damian shifted his head, facing the neighboring property, where the garden resided, not visible from where they currently sat. “I never had the chance to ask her if it all played out the way her visions told her it would. Nathanial, Evie, and Sabrina helped me to see it wasn’t Mother’s fault. The Darkness was to blame, and she mistakenly believed she could contain it for a while.”

“How do you know it’s gone?”

Those worldly obsidian eyes, so like his own, turned on Noah, solemn but honest. “Because I’d be destroying the world if it wasn’t.”

Heart pounding hard enough to leave his chest, Noah could only stare.

“You said our father claimed I held the Darkness, but I didn’t. Not until it was time to deliver it to the Netherworld and leave it there in its entirety.” Damian toasted him with a wry smile. “If even a speck remained, it would’ve consumed me by now. Rest easy, Noah.”

“Noah.” Vivian leaned forward and placed her hand over his, waiting until she captured his full attention. “I mistakenly feared him for a while, too. It nearly cost us our marriage and Sabrina’s life. Damian’s is as pure a soul as you’ll find.”

His brother rose to his feet, bent down, and kissed his wife in a tender, lingering way that made anyone watching uncomfortable for want of the same type of relationship.

“You give me too much credit, my love. But I’ll gladly accept it.” The beatific grin he gave her could charm fledglings from their nests and baby bunnies from burrows. “I’m going to see if Nate is awake. It’s time he met his Uncle Noah.”

“Uh—I…” But what could Noah say? His brother, sister-in-law, and their darling daughter had welcomed him with open arms despite him putting on the brakes. Why argue when they refused to take no for an answer?

“I’m glad you see it our way, brother.”

“You read my mind,” he stated flatly. “And you’ve the ability to implant thoughts. Is that why I’m coming around to liking ya?”

The fecker laughed, and the sound was contagious, though Noah had no intention of joining in.

“Youwere the one who projected your thoughts intomyhead first, my bratty brother. I simply responded in kind. Any budding feelings of affection are your own.” Damian cocked his dark head, giving him a considering look. “I believe your existing abilities have manifested in interesting ways, don’t you?”

With a press of his hand on Vivian’s shoulder, he left them alone.

“Damian never intrudes on the minds of those closest to him. He’d view it as a betrayal of trust,” she said. “I’ve spent years with him and know this to be true. The exception is her.” She nodded at Sabrina, who was making her way toward the terrace. “If he feels dissension in the air toward her or Nate, he’ll tap in and act if it means protecting them.”

“As he should.” Noah agreed with the tactic. Protecting his children should be a parent’s primary goal.

“Uncle Noah! Uncle Noah!” Sabrina waved as she ran up the stairs. “Did you see my dragon? Mack taught me how to make them.”

“Mack?” he asked in an aside to Vivian after nodding and pasting on a grin for his niece.

“Mackenzie Thorne-Drake. Our neighbor and Sabrina’s idol.” Vivian’s voice was droll and held no hint of jealousy for the other woman. It appeared she didn’t mind that her daughter admired someone in addition to her.

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