章 175: Chapter 175: Galleytrot

I stood in the quiet of the Sidhe cavern and listened to the sounds of my kids pattering and chattering their way in and out of the stacks in the archive. So young and fresh and innocent, even now. Able to laugh, to play. I was just grateful they hadn't lost that.

At least, not yet.

Gram had, of course, offered immediately to turn over the house in Wilding Springs. And the power of the coven, to return the family magic to me. The thought of either made me shudder and reject such a thing on a purely instinctual level.

"I can't go back there," I told her quietly, privately huddling with her in front of the big window in Mom's office while the others murmured to each other behind us. "Too much water under that burned bridge."

The family magic shivered, yearned for me. But retreated into Gram again. "I guess I should be insulted it's so eager," she said, wry twist to her mouth. "Ungrateful."