“You sound like you have had a long day. What happened with Iofer?”
“They came by the house and asked for my help. They used an emergency transport spell that spit us out in their home city. I am guessing that it was their mage component that had touched the stone, the stone started using living energy to propel the spirits, and she went down. I don’t know how long she had been there, but those mages were useless.
“Anyway, I get there, I take possession of the stone, get it contained, bleed off the extra energy and give it back to the XIA team members. From there, I was looking for a ride home. The XIA agents couldn’t manage it with their wounded member, the Mage Guild didn’t want to come near me because I had arrived with the extranaturals. Benny and her team came in just at the right time.”
“They are a solid unit. I don’t know what their assignment was, but I am glad that they were there.”
“As am I. I will get you home in one piece. Just rest. I will wake you when Bara is glaring at me out of the window.”
“Thanks, Argus. It has been a hectic few hours.”
“I gathered as much, but when Iofer sent out the call for help, I knew you could manage the job. Glad you made it, now sleep.”
She breathed in, breathed out, and the world went warmly dark.
Low voices surrounded her, and she was carried and settled down on the couch in the common room. She opened her eyes just enough to see Reegar, Bara, and Argus, and she could feel Mr. E.
“Wake me at six, so I can get ready for the party.”
Reegar frowned. “You need a healer.”
“That can wait until tomorrow. Today, I just need some rest.”
Argus sat next to her, holding her hand, and the other two disappeared.
She opened her eyes a little wider and sighed. “Thanks for getting me home.”
“No problem. I am happy to have been there.” He stroked her cheek.
“I still have to write that report on the spectres. Someone seems to be looking for something, and they aren’t waiting for the dissipated ones anymore. They are grabbing some really strong spectres and smashing them together. That isn’t good.”
“I know. I have learned that much from you.”
She sniffed. “Do I smell food?”
“It has been decided that you will get more of a boost from a large infusion of food than simple rest.”
She groaned. “Everybody is trying to feed me today.”
“Adrea?”
“Yeah, and she paused time to do it. That is one scary lady when she wants you to eat a scone.”
He chuckled and gave her a light kiss. “There are a bunch of scary ladies out there; you just have to find their triggers. Apparently, Adrea’s is knowing that you need food after magic.”
“Why do folks fuss over me?”
Reegar came into her field of view with a tray in his hands. “Because you are young, and you are fearless. It makes us worry.”
Argus nodded and helped her sit up.
“Oh, this isn’t for her. Mr. E looks a little weak, so we defrosted a pie. Imara’s food is still on the stove.”
Mr. E perked up and looked around. Reegar reached between them and scooped up the fluffy familiar, setting him on the tray, on the coffee table, next to the pie. It didn’t take long before the familiar and the pie became one.
Imara talked quietly with Argus and Bara while the kitten romped in the dessert; when her food arrived, it did wonders for her sense of reality and connectivity to the universe.
Bara finally asked, “How did the fabric work? I got it out of your room.”
Imara raised her thumb. “It was excellent. It should give you the grade you were looking for as well.”
Argus asked, “What fabric?”
Bara smiled. “It was a speciality wrap that could be worn while shifting. I am trying to find a way to make it in something larger than a five-inch strip.”
“Can’t you stitch it together?”
Bara sighed. “No. That is the problem.”
Imara smiled and felt the ripple of relief that she didn’t have to tell Argus what she was actually using it for. He was in law enforcement, and until she was officially invited into the home of Desmond Demiel, she had committed a crime.
No pressure.
Chapter Ten
Formal clothing was easy when you had someone still majoring in textiles under your roof. The gown that Bara had prepared for her took her breath away. Long, silky panels of black and blue wrapped in a five-inch wide belt studded with jet beads. The gown made her feel very adult, and it matched with her black Death Keeper robes.
The invitation to her father’s birthday and her niece’s family blessing had mentioned wearing honours. She was wearing her honours. The embroidery that Kitigan’s family had created was stunning. All she needed was a staff, and she would be at home in any formal death-related setting.
Imara tucked her phone into the pocket in her belt and looked at Mr. E. “How do I look?”
Excellent. I will be on guard this evening. You know they are going to try and trip you up.
She nodded. “I know. At least I have confirmation from my instructor that I passed with ninety-percent in the stealth magic course. Phone, email and the photo. It was nice of Argus to make him make those calls.”
You have the photo?
“On my phone and two copies printed. Bara has one copy and Reegar the other. Both are locked up and in a stasis field.”
Do you feel paranoid?
She nodded. “Yes, but I am going to see family. From my research, that is an appropriate feeling.”
He snickered and jumped to the shoulder of her robes. She had her invitation, the gift for the baby, she had her familiar, and she had her formalwear. She was ready to face the part of her family that had thrown her away.
A deep exhalation and she walked down to Kitigan’s car. She was her designated driver for the evening, and her vehicle was new and a nice SUV.
“So, Imara, when you want to leave, call me. If anything goes weird, call me. If Mr. E hacks up a hairball, call me.”
Mr. E lifted his head and made a cute noise.
“I promise. If I don’t get furious and fly home, I will definitely call you.”
“Good. Now, get in the car.” Kitty held the door open and made sure that the robes and the dress were safe and tidy.
The rest of the drive was basically silent with the exception of Imara making one call.
“Are you ready?”
The voice on the other end said, “I don’t sleep.”
She ended the call and tucked her phone back into her belt. “Whoo.”
“It will be fine. Everyone will be fine.”
Imara glanced over. “My family is going to hate me.”
Kitty chuckled. “They already hate you.”
“This is true. Thanks for that.” Imara grinned, and she relaxed and petted Mr. E the entire way to Demiel Hall.
“Call me when you want to leave. I will just be around the corner at that donut shop. I brought some homework with me, so don’t rush it.” Kitty grinned as she pulled into the circular drive in front of the wide and ancient hall.
“Will do. Happy studying.” She opened her door and slid onto the crunchy black gravel.
Mr. E popped up and perched proudly on her shoulder. I am going to be on alert tonight.