The Servant

by B. C. Burgess

  Alec was the only outsider on the lawn, and though he displayed impeccable manners when addressed or served, he mostly kept to himself. Aradia stayed by his side all day, devoted to spending time with him, but the festivities didn’t escape her rapt attention. She took in her surroundings with enthusiastic wonder, just as she had the first time Layla saw her, when Serafin had her pinned to a wall outside the Portland airport. No matter how much terror Aradia had endured or how scary her situation was, she yearned to live and learn, eagerly soaking up every new experience.

  Banning couldn’t suppress his infatuation and spent most of the gathering near the twins, trying to engage them both in conversation, but Alec didn’t make it easy. He never crossed into the realm of rude, but he kept his answers short and left Aradia to do most of the talking. She handled the pressure well, and Banning kept his cool despite Alec’s jealousy and skepticism. Once in a while, when Alec’s attention roamed across the lawn, Banning reached for Aradia’s hand or knee and softly squeezed. She always smiled in return, learning to enjoy his touch instead of fear it, but if Alec was watching, they avoided intimate contact.

  By the time family members rose from their chairs to clean the lawn, Layla was speeding toward a sugar crash from all the mocha fudge she’d eaten, so she struggled to focus on Benzio’s chatter.

  “And it has games and caramel apples and animals, and Grandma said I could go with her.”

  Layla shook her head and blinked. “Wait, what? Go with who where?”

  “Grandma Cordelia. To the festival.”

  “Oh… Okay. Saturday.”

  Benzio nodded, too cute to deny as he gazed at her with pleading eyes. “Will you let me?”

  “Of course, sweetie.”

  “Let’s talk about it tomorrow,” Quin suggested. “Our angel’s tired.”

  Benzio’s smile fell as he searched Layla. “Is it my bedtime?”

  “Past bedtime,” Quin answered. “It’s been a fun day, huh?”

  “Yes. I don’t want it to end.”

  “Hmm… How about this? Just for tonight, you and the triplets can sleep in the big bed with us.”

  Benzio’s colors brightened as his eyes widened. “I can?”

  Quin looked to Layla for approval, and she smiled while offering the toddler a nod. All day she’d been thinking of ways to prove her appreciation to Quin after the kids went to bed, but as the opportunity grew closer, the sleepier she got, the fuller her stomach felt, and the more she doubted her ability to be sexy. Letting the children in their bed erased any expectations for intimacy, so the pressure she’d inflicted on herself eased. At least for the night.

  Her agreement made Benzio eager to go to bed, so he took off to say goodnight to everyone. She and Quin slowly rose to do the same, and when they got to Alec, Layla’s grandparents gathered nearby.

  “Ready to get that shield off your head?” Quin asked.

  Alec ran a hand through his hazy hair. “I’ve had worse things on my mind.”

  “I’m sure you have. But today was good, right? Despite the mind shield?”

  “Yes.” Alec smiled at his sister. “I can’t remember the last time I spent an entire day with her, and I’ve never seen her so happy. I don’t need magic to appreciate a miracle.”

  “Hear, hear,” Serafin approved.

  “I’m glad everyone’s agreeable,” Quin added, “because you’ll have to remain hexless on our property until I decide otherwise. When I’m on this lawn, I expect to feel safe without looking over my shoulder for traitors, but it’s a different story when I leave home. Outside this community, I’m surrounded by enemies, and your face becomes a ripple in a sea of suspects.”

  Alec tilted his head and chewed on his cheek. “What’s your point?”

  “Our coven’s traveling to an area near Mount Hood tomorrow to share a meal with the Crusaders and the Unforgivable refugees. Despite our ties to them, I don’t trust them any more than I trust you.”

  “Then why share a meal with them? Why lead your family and my sister into danger?”

  Quin narrowed his eyes, taking note of Alec’s squared shoulders and puffed up chest. “I’d never knowingly lead my children into danger, and you’re in no position to cast doubt on the refugees. More than 300 of them risked their lives to help us save our kids from the Dark Guild – a noble attempt at redemption you can’t claim. We owe the refugees and the Crusaders our gratitude, but that doesn’t mean I trust them. Shielding hundreds of heads isn’t an option, so every member of my family, along with every honest ally we have in the refugees and Crusaders, will be on high alert for betrayal and danger. If you’d like to join us, you can do it without a mind shield, but you won’t get rid of the scrutiny.” Quin paused long enough to glance at Aradia. Then he returned his gaze to her brother and lowered his voice. “As for me leading your sister – I don’t, and I won’t unless she asks for my guidance. Aradia’s a free woman, Alec, a woman who’s smart enough and strong enough to make her own decisions. She’s been doing it since the moment we met her. If she attends the dinner tomorrow in support of the coven, in support of her coven, it will be her choice, and we’ll protect her as fiercely as we protect our own flesh and blood.”

  Alec’s lips thinned as he challenged Quin’s unwavering stare. Then Aradia cut in with an exasperated sigh. “Let’s talk about tomorrow’s plans on the way out. Layla needs to put her kids to bed.” She turned to Banning and stepped closer, trying to achieve some privacy by whispering. “I’m going to walk him out.”

  Banning tucked his hands in his pockets and gave a nod, but he didn’t look happy.

  Aradia frowned and took another step. “Will you wait for me?”

  “I’ll be up,” he assured, forcing a smile. “Come see me if you’d like.” On his way home, he paused near her brother, his hands flexing in his pockets. “Happy Thanksgiving, Alec. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah,” Alec mumbled, keeping his gaze on Aradia. “Maybe.”

  Banning’s nostrils flared as he walked away, and Aradia rubbed her head while linking her arm with Alec’s. “We’ll meet you at the edge of the clearing, Quin.”

  Quin agreed, so she led her brother toward the tree line while hissing her disapproval. “Why do you do that, Alec? After everything they’ve done for us, why do you treat them like the enemy?”

  Alec’s aura mourned his sister’s disappointment, but his attitude didn’t improve. “If you think that’s how I treat my enemies, your impression of me is prettier than reality.”

  “Well, whatever you think of this coven, you have to think of me, because they’re my family now.”

  He halted, his chest swelling like he wanted to object, but he kept his mouth shut and let her drag him along.

  “Stop antagonizing them,” she stipulated, her voice fading into the breeze.

  Quin looked away from the twins and raised his eyebrows at Layla’s grandpas. “That went well.”

  Caitrin and Serafin laughed as they gave Layla and her kids goodnight kisses.

  “It could have been much worse,” Caitrin agreed. “You both got hot-headed.”

  Quin shrugged while passing babies to Daleen and Morrigan. “He needs to figure out he’ll get what he gives. We’ve shown him enough respect to demand it in return. He has no reason to believe we’d put his sister in harm’s way, and we’ve proven our ability to defend ourselves. Questioning my judgment was an insult to my character and an attempt to knock me down so he could thump his chest over me.”

  “And you weren’t going to let that happen.”

  “Hell, no. He’s been clawing his way to the top his entire life, but he’ll quickly learn it doesn’t work that way around here. If he tries to knock someone down on my lawn, he’ll find himself on his ass.”

  “Without all the chest thumping.”

  Quin halted near Layla, giving her a wink as he patted his chest. “Maybe a little.”

  Layla rolled her eyes, but her body always reacted when Quin got cocky.
Her brain could argue the cons of an inflated ego all day, but the moment Quin thumped his chest, her body became possessed by a helpless princess pining for a buff knight in shirtless armor.

  Quin’s gaze shifted to her aura. Then his dimples deepened as he leaned closer. “Let your grandmas help you get everyone ready for bed. I’ll be back soon.”

  She stood on her toes, breathing him in as she accepted his kiss. “Play nice.”

  Quin kept an eye on Layla until she entered the house. Then he and her grandpas crossed the lawn and met up with Aradia and Alec.

  “Just try,” Aradia demanded. Then their conversation ended as they turned toward their escorts.

  Aradia smiled, but Alec stared at the ground while clearing his throat. When he finally looked up, his face flexed, as if speaking was hard labor. “I apologize for my attitude. I have no right to judge or doubt this coven. But I won’t apologize for my concern. I may have failed to protect my sister in the past—”

  “You didn’t,” Aradia interrupted, but he held up a hand, insisting she let him go on.

  “Your record’s better than mine, Quin. As much as I wish I could claim I’m wiser than you when it comes to Aradia’s safety, history proves otherwise. But I’ve learned from the mistakes I made in her life, and your success doesn’t erase my fears. I know this family can offer her more protection than I can, and I know I can’t control her, but when it comes to her future, I want the same consideration the rest of you get.”

  “Deal,” Quin agreed.

  His quick concession shocked the siblings, and Alec’s scowl melted as Aradia’s anxiety eased.

  “Why do you think you’re here?” Quin asked, motioning for everyone to enter the forest. “Do you think we invited you because I want you in my life?”

  Alec smirked and shook his head. “No.”

  “You’re here because we want you involved in Aradia’s life, so feel free to express any concerns you have about it, but you’ll get a better response if you do it with respect. This isn’t a contest, Alec. We’re not here to see who can love Aradia more or take care of her better.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  “He usually is,” Caitrin laughed, giving Alec a friendly slap on the back. “Don’t take it personally. Quin’s an anomaly.”

  “He’s something.”

  Quin glanced over, letting the remark slide, but Caitrin had more to say. “Quin’s blessings aren’t without their curses. A lot of things in life come easy to him, but only because he’s been put on a path that requires more than the average man has to give. If you’ll stop flexing your muscles at him, you’ll realize he makes a better ally than enemy. It doesn’t matter if you’re on his level. If you’re on his side, you’re even.”

  “Then I’ll remain beneath him, because I’m not on his side. The only person here who can count on me is Aradia.”

  Aradia had remained quiet while keeping up with the wizards. Now she squeezed Alec’s arm and found his profile. “If you’re on my side, you’re on their side.”

  Alec sighed, but kept his mouth shut.

  “You know, Alec,” Serafin cut in, “you’re dealing with a lot of pressure and anger.”

  “So?” Alec snapped, proving Serafin’s point.

  “So you need an outlet,” Serafin explained. “You need people to talk to and activities to distract you and challenge you. You need to form relationships, find a hobby and get a job. I know none of that’s easy to accomplish when starting from scratch, but what else are you doing with your time? Sitting in a lonely camp, counting your regrets?”

  Alec frowned and bowed his head, and Quin scanned his aura while speaking up. “Join us for dinner tomorrow, Alec. Meet some of the refugees.”

  Alec’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve come across a few before.”

  “Vortigern had ties to Agro?”

  “Vortigern had ties to everyone. Agro purchased students from him on occasion.”

  “Hmm… How did you and Aradia escape Agro’s attention?”

  “We weren’t for sale.”

  “That’s right. You were rentals.”

  “Aradia wasn’t rented to anyone. Ever. That was the deal. I… I did whatever I could to keep her away from Vortigern’s customers.”

  “I never met any of them,” Aradia confirmed. “I stayed in my room when he hosted company.”

  “He treated potential buyers like kings,” Alec continued. “He’d wine and dine them. Then he’d fill a room with naked magicians.”

  Quin swallowed while glancing at Aradia. “He used his students as sex slaves for buyers?”

  “Not exactly,” Alec corrected. “He used willing students over seventeen.”

  “Willing, huh?”

  “Yes. The same way I was willing to commit murder for him. Most of us lived to please him. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Aradia countered. “If he didn’t get what he wanted, he stole it. No one there was free.”

  “We saw the same scenario with the Unforgivables,” Serafin pointed out. “Sounds like you’d have a lot in common with the refugees. You should join us tomorrow.”

  “There’s a statewide festival Saturday,” Caitrin added. “It would be a great opportunity for you to meet the locals. Some of our members will be there and could introduce you to people who might have jobs available.”

  Aradia smiled, her eyes moistening as love flooded her aura, but Alec remained wary of the favors. “We’ll see.”

  Aradia’s shoulders slouched, but she didn’t say anything more until they reach the shields surrounding the property. “Will you guys give us a minute?”

  Quin and Layla’s grandpas moved a few yards away. Then they talked amongst themselves while Aradia said goodbye to her brother. Quin could tell she was trying to talk Alec into dinner, and by the time they hugged, she’d won.

  “Alec’s joining us tomorrow,” she announced. “Where and when should he meet us?”

  Quin made the arrangements while removing the shield from Alec’s skull. Then he smiled and extended a hand. “Happy Thanksgiving, Alec. We appreciate you showing up for Aradia.”

  Alec swallowed his pride and accepted the handshake. “Thanks for the opportunity. If you welcome me back, I’ll try to get through the visit without making waves.” He turned to Serafin and Caitrin, shaking their hands, as well. Then he gave his sister another long hug.

  Quin grew impatient as the seconds ticked by, so as soon as Alec stepped off the property, Quin said goodbye to the others and flew toward the lawn.

  Morrigan and Daleen had left by the time he entered the house, but Layla and the kids were far from settled. Quin could hear babies fussing as Benzio anxiously spoke over the noise. “Farrow’s still crying, Layla.”

  “I hear him, Benz. He’ll be okay. Gently rock him.” Her voice quieted, barely audible over the squeaky cries. “Come on, Kaedan, it’s right there.”

  “Like this, Layla?”

  “That’s fine.”

  Quin quickened his pace and rounded the corner into the room, finding everyone in bed. Lilyana was eating, Kaedan was being stubborn about latching on, and Farrow was fussing in Benzio’s arms.

  Quin sent his satchel to the dresser as he approached. “Rough time?”

  Layla jolted, accidentally breaking Lilyana’s suction. Then she squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. “I didn’t feel you coming.”

  “Farrow’s crying,” Benzio added. “He doesn’t want me to hold him.”

  “You’re doing great,” Quin assured. “Hum a song to him.”

  Benzio started humming the ABC song, and Quin turned his attention to Layla, wiping a tear from her cheek as he kissed her forehead. “Breathe.”

  She took a deep breath, and he encouraged her to lean on him while giving her a helping hand. Lilyana latched on the moment he guided her head in the right direction, but Kaedan took more coaxing. Once they were both eating, Layla sighed and opened her eyes.

  “Tha
nk you. I don’t know what happened. We were fine one second. Then all three of them decided Benzio and I needed a challenge.”

  Quin gave her another kiss then lifted Farrow from Benzio’s lap. “They haven’t made a peep all day. Guess they saved it up.”

  “Apparently. Benz and I were outnumbered.”

  Quin laughed while heading to the bathroom. “Now we’re even. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  He glanced back, making sure all was well before closing the bathroom door. Then he moved to the vanity. Farrow still protested from the crook of his arm, so he turned him toward the mirror, letting the tips of his toes touch the counter while speaking to his reflection.

  “What’s the deal, little guy? Why so mad?”

  Farrow stopped crying, his forehead wrinkling as he observed himself in the mirror, and Quin leaned in until their faces were even. “Look at that. We’re both in there.”

  Farrow kicked and released a slobbery string of gurgles, and Quin kept the senseless discussion going as he vanished the day’s stubble from his face.

  “There we go.” He finished up and gently rubbed his jaw across his son’s cheek. “Better?”

  Farrow turned his head and parted his lips, searching for a source of food, so Quin tucked him into his arm and offered him a pinky. “You’ve got the wrong parent, Son.” He summoned a bassinet lined with blankets. Then he knelt and laid him inside. “This is going to make you mad.”