Corviticus University: Family Ties

by J. E. Cluney

  I wanted to believe that she was coming around. Hell, even my father was slowly seeming to accept me. At least, I hoped he was. My mother had verified that he’d pulled Cathy up when she’d made a snarky comment.

  It confused me, but I didn’t fight the little tendril of hope it gave me. Maybe, now that we were all adults, we would slowly come back together as a family again.

  I pushed aside the thought as Ollie asked about my classes, and I dove into telling him how things were going.

  The past few days had gone by well, life was good as we all studied and had our shared nights watching some new TV shows on Netflix together.

  Marcus and Ollie had shared Allison Monday night, while Skip and I claimed her last night. We were planning a special joint session with all of us for her birthday, so that was something to look forward too.

  Now, we sat at the large dining table in the dining hall at my mother’s house.

  Mom had been talking with Allison about a charity dinner Ollie’s mom was going to be putting on in a few weeks to follow up the festival she’d managed. Sort of like a ball, formal dress and fancy food. All the rich families were invited, and she was hoping we could come along as well.

  Allison seemed keen on it until she learned it was being held by Ollie’s mom, then she became a little uncertain.

  “It’ll be fine. They’re family, I’m sure his parents are coming round,” my mother reassured Allison when she mentioned Ollie’s tense relationship with his family.

  We fell silent as Cathy entered the hall and made her way over.

  I nodded at my sister in welcome, and she actually gave me a soft nod in response before sitting down on the other side of my mother, who’d taken the seat at the head of the table.

  We had glasses of rich, fruity red wine, which Allison was grateful for. She didn’t like most wines, but the fruity one was good in her opinion.

  “How was uni today?” my mother asked her, and Cathy plastered a smile on as she reached for the glass of wine before her.

  “It was good, we were focusing on depreciation of assets today and company tax obligations,” Cathy murmured as she glanced at Allison and I quickly before focusing on her wine.

  “That’s great,” my mother said a little too enthusiastically. I knew she was really hoping to use tonight to lay some things to rest.

  As if on cue, Gregory entered the hall from the kitchen side, carrying a platter of food and carefully setting it down before us.

  “Freshly caught Morton Bay bug with cheese, garlic prawns, and calamari rings,” Gregory declared as he straightened and gave me a nod of acknowledgement. It’d been quite some time since I’d seen him, and he was starting to show his age a bit more, his dark brown hair greying on the sides.

  He wore his white waiter-like uniform as per usual, and he refilled our drinks as Allison gawked at the seafood on offer.

  “Thanks, Gregory. This looks amazing,” my mother said as she leaned forward. She’d always had a soft spot for seafood.

  “I’ll bring out the rest, please, enjoy,” Gregory said with a quick bow before he strode off.

  I began serving up both Allison and I as my mother and Cathy began stealing prawns and calamari first.

  ‘What is a Morton Bay bug?’ Allison asked mentally.

  ‘Sorta like a lobster type of thing. They taste good,’ I shot back, not really sure how else to describe it.

  I gave us both a bug each, along with some prawns and calamari, before shoveling on some spiral potato chips that Gregory brought out and freshly made pasta salad. I had a feeling that was a special request from my mother as well. She loved her pasta salads, especially when my father wasn’t home, as he didn’t care much for the dish.

  We dug in, and Allison’s delighted thoughts entered my head as she tried the bug which was cooked with light herbs and cheese.

  “So, Allison, I hear your birthday is coming up. Got any big plans?” my mother asked as we ate.

  Cathy seemed a little tense as she avoided eye contact with me, and I wondered just what was going on in her mind. She hadn’t said a single snarky thing.

  Hell, she’d barely said a word really.

  “Just having some family over, my grandma is flying in from the States with my cousin, and then we’re going on a camping trip,” Allison responded after swallowing her mouthful of prawns.

  “Oh, that does sound lovely! Lucas used to go camping with the boys when they were kids, back before Marcus…” my mother faltered as she searched for the right word while holding her forkful of calamari over her plate.

  “Before he got turned,” I answered for her. I knew she was more thinking along the lines of the loss of his family than him becoming a vampire.

  She just smiled gently and nodded.

  “He’s excited to go on this trip, his first camping trip in a long time. It’ll be good,” Allison said. “By the way, I love your dress, Cathy.”

  My sister startled at this as she stared wide-eyed at Allison before forcing a smile.

  “Thanks, it’s Camilla,” Cathy said, and I could’ve sworn her face relaxed enough that the hint of a genuine smile seeped through.

  ‘Camilla?’ Allison asked me without faltering in her smile at my sister.

  ‘Somewhat high end brand. Probably cost five hundred dollars,’ I relayed to her.

  She managed not to let her surprise show through. To be honest, that wasn’t really expensive in our family.

  “That pendant you’re wearing, my brother crafted the magic in it, right?” Cathy cocked her head as she gazed at Allison’s pentagram pendant.

  “Yeah, he did. For protection,” Allison murmured as she touched it affectionately.

  “Strong magic in there. Although from what I hear, you were the one who saved them, right?” Cathy’s smile softened, and I could see she was letting her walls down to actually have a proper conversation with Allison.

  I was taken back by this. Was she seriously trying to rectify the past? Or was she doing this for our mother’s sake?

  I was so confused about her right now.

  “Yeah, well, it all happened rather fast,” Allison said with a shrug.

  “She saved our arses, she’s just being modest,” I smirked as I reached over to stroke her cheek lovingly.

  Cathy watched me do this, and I saw something strange flicker across her face, but it was gone before I could register the look. Was she happy for me? No, that couldn’t be it.

  My mother’s smile reached her eyes as she stared at us sweetly, and she sighed before reaching for her glass.

  “My son, mated. I couldn’t be happier,” she murmured, and I knew she really was thrilled with it. All she wanted was for our family to be happy.

  I dug back into my meal, relaxing as Cathy began talking a little with mom and Allison, although she didn’t seem ready to talk to me.

  I doubted I was up for it either, so I stayed out of the conversation as best I could while I enjoyed the dinner.

  They were now talking about Dingo Diner and the specialty treats they had going on.

  I zoned out as I sipped my wine after having finished my meal.

  “So, Lucas, still setting the kitchen on fire for endless crumpets?” Cathy asked, and I was shocked for a moment at her gleeful grin.

  I couldn’t help the eye roll and stupid smile that hit my face. She remembered that little episode.

  “What?” Allison snorted as Cathy chuckled.

  I just stared at my sister, my chest tightening at the genuine look she was giving me.

  Maybe my notion of her being a lost cause wasn’t true. She was trying to draw on old stories and moments to reconnect with me, and even though I wanted to still be annoyed at her, it did touch me.

  “Well, Lucas here was only, what, thirteen?” Cathy looked to me for clarification.

  “Something like that.” I shrugged.

  “Anyway, he had this deep love for crumpets back then. And he was just learning more about his warlock powers.
He decided to see if he could duplicate his crumpets with magic. When he succeeded with this after a few attempts, he decided he’d go for an endless supply. I was there to supervise him as best I could,” Cathy said, and I baulked.

  “You were not! You were egging me on!” I retorted, and she grinned at me before rolling her eyes.

  “Same thing. Mom came in just as he attempted the spell, wondering why we were in the kitchen. The main fridge had the door blow off and food started flying out everywhere, the toaster exploded into flames, and crumpets began sprouting up everywhere, giant ones appearing on the table, and one nearly crushed him!” Cathy was laughing now, and my mother was stifling her chuckles with a hand over her mouth, but her eyes were twinkling with delight.

  “How’d you fix it?” Allison gasped as she shot me an incredulous look.

  “Mom rang dad when the crumpets starting catching fire too. He portaled home and fixed it all. He was furious,” I groaned.

  “He put a magic block on you for two weeks after that, although even he finds the event amusing now. A little bit of magic from dad and the kitchen was restored,” Cathy informed Allison.

  “Well, I’m glad he’s got better control of his magic now,” Allison stated as she sipped her wine.

  The conversation died off when Gregory came out with fried banana and ice-cream for dessert, along with apple pie and custard.

  I couldn’t help the cheerful hope that had settled in my chest.

  Maybe the sister who’d grown up with me, playing with me out in the yard and helping me with my homework, learning simpler spells with me and taking joy in spells only I could do, was finally coming back to me. We’d been so close until high school, when we started to go our separate ways and learn who we were more. We’d fallen apart.

  But maybe, just maybe, it could still be salvaged.

  Friday arrived quickly, and just after our group lunch of chicken wraps, the house became filled with a family reunion.

  Trish was delighted to see us all, although she made a remark about Skip wearing a singlet and how he’d be better off without it.

  Dixon and Natalie wrapped Allison in a joint hug before introducing her to Hayley, who seemed quite happy to meet her.

  We moved to the table outside, with Skip and Ollie bringing out three extra chairs from the kitchen table, and sat down to chat.

  Hayley and Allison were in animated conversation about life and studies, and Trish was asking us about this full bond that had been completed.

  We explained it as best we could, along with the final dealings with the wendigo, and now Walter in Allison’s void.

  This was a mindfuck for them all, and even Hayley cut the conversation to question what that even meant.

  Allison took over trying to give them a better understanding, and I enjoyed their shock and slowly changing faces as they wrapped their heads around it. Apparently Allison hadn’t bothered to inform her family of this little piece of information.

  “So, you have a ghost living inside you, that’s what you’re saying?” Hayley said in disbelief, her deep frown evident that she was still lost. She looked so much like Natalie that it wasn’t even funny, with her mousey brown hair and slim figure, although she had Dixon’s hazel eyes and his slightly more crooked nose.

  “No, he lives inside her part-time,” Trish corrected her with a dismissive wave. “Damn, wouldn’t have thought I’d say those words unless it was about Skip,” she cackled and winked at the said shifter.

  “Mom!” Natalie scolded her, but she was smiling and shaking her head as Hayley laughed and Skip rolled his eyes.

  “So, a warlock who was turned into a wendigo against his will, never heard of something like that,” Dixon murmured.

  “Why would his father do that to him?” Hayley murmured.

  I felt Allison’s flicker of uncertainty.

  Walter hadn’t checked back in, and his theory that there was more to his father’s plan was niggling at the back of her mind.

  “Because he was a despicable man, and you said he was put down in the 1800s for practicing necromancy? Good riddance,” Trish growled.

  The table fell silent as everyone dwelled on Walter and his sad story, until Marcus finally cleared his throat.

  “Well, would anyone like a drink or anything?” he offered as he shot me a look.

  “Something to eat?” I added on.

  “Got any wine?” Trish cracked a grin, and Natalie rolled her eyes.

  “Mom, no wine until later,” Natalie said sternly.

  “You’re no fun,” Trish sighed and waved her off. “Just some water for me then.”

  “We ate for lunch, so we’ll wait until dinner,” Dixon said as he leaned back in his chair to stretch.

  Marcus flitted off, returning with a jug of water and a bunch of glasses.

  He poured the glasses and offered them around before taking his seat again.

  “So how are banshee classes going?” Natalie asked. “Last we messaged, you said you were practicing being incorporeal?”

  “Yes, it’s nowhere as easy to learn as my scream, although I’m progressing. Mr Brady has started joining my classes for safety, and I’ve been practicing moving through objects now that I’ve managed to remain in an intangible state for a short time. I’ve walked through a chair and a desk now. It’s a little frightening, because if I can’t hold the state, I could end up stuck midway in an object. Not too sure how bad that could be,” Allison explained.

  She’d been practicing a fair bit with it, but she never tried anything at home.

  “Would you get completely cut in half if you were midway through a table?” Trish asked in alarm as she leaned on the table and kneaded her fingers together.

  “That’s what I thought too, but Mr Brady did some magic tests, he believes my banshee side would automatically come to my rescue, so whichever part of me was still in an object would remain incorporeal, but I’d be stuck until I took on the whole state again. Don’t worry, that was something I was freaking out about too,” Allison laughed.

  “So you can become like a ghost? Can you go completely invisible?” Hayley asked, intrigued at the possibility.

  “Miss O’Donnell said that it is possible, but until I’ve practiced more on the plain intangibility side, we’ll wait on going completely invisible,” Allison said.

  “That’s amazing,” Dixon breathed as he shook his head in disbelief.

  “I’ll say. These powers of yours are incredible,” Trish nodded in agreement.

  “Not really, pretty sure Lucas can go invisible with his magic,” Allison shrugged.

  “Yeah, but he’s a warlock,” Trish shrugged. “That’s to be expected.”

  “Thanks, way to make me feel bland,” I laughed, and they joined in with me.

  The topic moved to her veterinary studies, and Ollie jumped in to share the odd story of prac sessions with her, and I just smiled as I listened.

  Allison was content as she sat between Hayley and I, lapping up the chance to be with some family that was normal and cared for her.

  I was glad she had them, and that they made her happy.

  She deserved it.

  Chapter 15

  We stayed out on the verandah for another hour or so talking before Dixon asked if the boys wanted to play some pool, to which Trish took up the challenge as well.

  They all headed to the games room, leaving Hayley, Natalie, and I behind.

  “How’s it living with four men?” Hayley asked once they were gone.

  “Pretty good actually. They’re clean and tidy, respectful, not loud,” I said with a shrug.

  “Mated to four men, that’s incredible,” Hayley clicked her tongue at the thought.

  “How’s Daniel?” I asked, digging around for the name of her boyfriend, the tradie coyote shifter.

  “He’s great! He’s starting to get serious about branching off from his father’s business and starting his own. His dad fully supports it and will help out how he can. His business
studies are helpful in that regard.” Hayley lit up at the chance to talk about her man, her eyes twinkling with delight.

  Did I look like that whenever I spoke about my guys?

  “That’s awesome Hayley. I hope it goes well for him, you going to help him out?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I’ll do some admin or reception work for him, but I still want to be a teacher mainly, which he understands,” she said before sipping her water.

  “So, Ollie said you’ve been using your camera more?” Natalie spoke up after a moment. “Got any good shots?”

  “I’ve been playing around with it, got some of him riding Million around, along with other random shots,” I said sheepishly.

  “Well, go grab it, we want to see,” Hayley urged me on.

  I sighed in defeat and headed off to my room, returning with the camera and showing them my shots. I went through my collection, finding my favorites, including the black and blue butterfly I’d captured.

  Natalie was impressed, and Hayley was awestruck at the photos of Ollie riding, of how muscular and big Million was.

  This switched to Hayley showing me photos on her phone of her and Daniel on a trip south, and of some children she babysat.

  Natalie sat back, smiling as we shared photos and swapped stories of our guys.

  “So, how does it work, do you sleep with just one at a time?” Hayley hissed softly once she’d showed me her final photo of Daniel and her just before she left to come here, and Natalie just chuckled and shook her head.

  “Sometimes,” I grinned, loving how her eyes just widened and her mouth dropped open.

  “Sometimes I have two or three of them, and every now and then, we will all be together,” I stated, amused at how Hayley’s eyes bugged out of her head.

  “But… what?” she just sputtered, lost for words.

  “Do you really want to know?” Natalie chuckled.

  “I’m mostly curious how she makes that work?” Hayley was gobsmacked to say the least.

  “Well, threesomes are easy enough, foursomes, they take turns a bit, same with all of them. A lot of hands and mouth play,” I smirked as she just shook her head in disbelief.