With a bit of food in them, the Familiars began to get mobile again, and one by one they headed home to meet their Witches.
Wolfe made his way back to his room carrying Stephanie and Flame while Pup whined and pouted about the injustice of being too big to carry. The Witches were all there waiting for them, looking exhausted and hungover with no detectable aura at all.
"The Headmistress said that we should rebuild our aura before we sleep because the gains will decrease with time, and we will lose some of the benefits of the ritual if we restore naturally. I hate to do this when you've been channelling so much all night, but we need just a little more." Cassie apologized.
"That's fine. I saved a portion of my storage just in case something like this happened. I think the others are already asleep, though." Wolfe told her, indicating the spot on the other bed where Mary had curled up with Pup, who was snoring soundly.