Page 230 of Halfblood Deceived

Aella placed the box by her chair, and a package landed on her lap with a flash of verdant magic.

Aylana grinned. “Sebastian isn’t the only one capable of showing off.”

Aella giggled, opened the package, and found a beautiful leather jacket.

“I noticed you liked mine, so…” Aylana trailed off.

“I love it!” Aella enthused. “Thank you.”

Aylana beamed.

Lex stood and handed Aella a rectangular package and an envelope. “We don’t all have magical powers.”

Inside the box, Aella found a firearm.

“That’s from me,” Lex said proudly.

Aella stared at the gun, holding it gingerly.

“Alexander, you idiot. She got shot less than two weeks ago!” Mari whisper-screamed.

Kamilla, Zeydan, and Diana darted worried glances at Aella.

Lex flinched. “Er…”

“It’s alright,” Aella interjected. “I like it. It’s pretty.” It was black-silver and looked like something straight out of a movie she loved. “Aylana has given me a few shooting lessons.” She smiled at Lex. “Thank you. I hope I never have to use it, but I like it very much.”

Lex relaxed and smiled at Aella. “You’re welcome.” He then very maturely poked his tongue out at Mari.

The fey rolled her eyes at him.

Aella chuckled, opening the envelope next. It had a sort of contract and her name on it. She blinked.

“That one is mine,” Gabby said. “It’s 5% of an eco-friendly tech company that recycles old computers to make new ones with fewer emissions and no horrifying work conditions. Evan, Zeydan, and I own most of it. And if my predictions are correct, which they usually are, the company will be worth about 1000 times what it’s worth now in the next decade.”

Aella’s jaw dropped. “You just made me rich?”

Gabby shrugged. “Not right now, but in a handful of years, you probably won’t have to work unless you want to.”

Aella squeaked. “That’s, um. Wow. Thanks. Uh, I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but are you guys sure about this?”

“Yes,” Gabby said with a warm smile.

“Gods,” Aella let out a nervous little laugh, her mind was still reeling. “Thank you.”

Sebastian huffed, arching a brow at Zeydan. “And you were accusing me of showing off?”

Zeydan smiled smugly. “It was Gabby’s brilliant idea. I had no part in it.”

“Uh-huh,” Aylana muttered.

“I’m afraid my present will be much less impressive,” Mari said, flicking her wrist to summon a box directly onto Aella’s lap.

Aella opened it. Inside, there was a clear stone pendant with an intricate, runic design, along with a beautiful dreamcatcher. And another box.

“I know you don’t like calming potions,” Mari said. “The necklace sends soothing energy into your system only if you hold it against your chest when you are close to having a panic attack. The dreamcatcher should help you sleep better without the need for potions as well. You should open the other box when you are alone.”

Aella immediately placed the pendant on her necklace. “Thank you, Mari. This is a very thoughtful and kind gift.”

---