Chapter 543: Chapter 543: Doubts

I stayed in my seat, Quaid next to me, fuming while Venner shook hands with the board of governors and the Council. I noted Mom was the only exception, as she carefully dodged his outstretched hand with a diplomatic smile, moving another witch forward to take her place in a smooth but obvious snub.

There were times Mom and I didn't get along, and times I wished I was more like her.

Guess which this was.

I was less surprised than I should have been to spot Sonja standing just inside the now-open door, small next to the hulking Enforcers in their black robes. Liam spotted her about the same time I did and left Tippy to hurry through the departing crowd to hug his mother. I left my row more slowly, doing my best to keep an eye on Venner, Spaft and Sonja all at once while Quaid stayed close behind me, his scent and the heat of his body where he brushed against me a sizzling distraction.

Hormones? Really? At a time like this.

Classy.