Spring Rain (The Witchling #4)(59)

“Come in. Have a seat,” Rania said and then went to her husband, wrapping her arms around him from behind. Her fire and Darkness quieted immediately, and he instinctively touched her arm.

Morgan did so.

“You remember Morgan, baby?” Rania asked her husband. She was amused, and Morgan had no idea why.

“Fire witchling.” Michael offered a quick smile. “You went Light. Congratulations.”

Morgan smiled, proud of herself despite knowing she accidentally passed her trial while frying Noah alive. It still didn’t quite feel … real, as if everyone else could see it, but she couldn’t yet.

“First in a long time,” Rania added. “She’s the one, Michael.”

He peered up at his wife, calm and quiet, though Morgan almost sensed an I-told-you-so passing from wife to husband.

“I know,” he replied. “Welcome to the family, Morgan.” This smile was warmer. “Our family motto is One day at a time. It’s how we make it through everything. It gets a little tense living with the Master of Light, Master of Dark, and the former Mistress of Dark. Add a bit of fire to the situation …” He smiled ruefully. “You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

You don’t even know me. Morgan wasn’t certain how to respond. They were serious about welcoming her, as serious as Beck had been about forever. The sense she had a place in life, a home, complete with a family waiting for her, rendered her speechless. It didn’t seem right they’d just accept her, not after her past and the cold stone burning a hole in her pocket, a constant reminder of how different she was.

His parents watched her for a moment, waiting for her to say something, and she finally forced herself to talk. “I’ll take care of Beck. I swear it on my soul. I’ll protect him from everything,” she managed.

Michael smiled, and Rania laughed.

“I believe you,” Michael said. “Grandpa Louis went to town. There’s a small spread over there if you’re hungry.” He indicated the buffet tables along one side of the kitchen. “We’ve got house guests for the equinox, so there’s plenty.”

Morgan went, more because she felt too awkward sitting there while they watched her than because she was hungry. She was too anxious to be hungry. As if feeling her frayed nerves, Michael’s earth magick increased and seeped into her, easing her tense muscles. She shook out her shoulders and piled a plate high with food. The use of her magick the night before, coupled with the night with Beck, left her ravenous.

Returning to the table, she was somewhat relieved to see Rania seated and flipping through screens on her iPad while Michael was reading from his Kindle. Morgan ate quietly.

“What was your trial?” Michael asked after giving her some time to eat.

Morgan swallowed, face hot again. Rania was studying her, the sparkle in her eye making Morgan think she already knew.

“I burned a Dark witchling to a crisp,” Morgan replied. “Torched the Dark right out of him.”

“I didn’t know that was possible,” Michael said. “Amazing. He’s okay?”

“He is now. Beck had to … ah … un-melt him.” Morgan replied.

“You’re as strong as Tranin.”

At their quiet, Morgan sneaked a glance to see them exchanging a look she couldn’t decipher. “I don’t know about that,” she said, glad they hadn’t lectured her about burning someone up. “But I can help Beck after …” Her hand went to her pocket.

“Leave it there, sweetie.” A flare of fire accompanied Rania’s soft warning. “The Darkness beckons to anyone who might free it, and a Master or Mistress of Dark is the least stable of all the Dark witchlings.”

Morgan nodded. “It hurts the Light,” she whispered, stricken. “I can turn Dark to Light but I can’t go near Light. I can’t help Beck.”

“You can help him,” Michael replied. “Sometimes it’s not the way we want to help those we love, but you can help him.”

“I want that to be true,” Morgan said and pushed the remaining sausage around on her plate with a fork. Her thoughts went to what Beck had revealed last night. “I need to talk to Sam.”

“I’ll take you out to find him,” Rania offered.

Michael glanced at her, then back. “Maybe I should do that. My morning is open.”

The two exchanged another look, and Morgan had the sense this time it was a disagreement. Rania relented with a small sigh. “He’s right,” she said to the unspoken battle. “You shouldn’t be alone with any Dark witchling while you carry that, Morgan. Keep that in mind.”

Michael leaned over to kiss his wife then stood. “You ready?” he asked.

Morgan nodded.

They left the house and started down the driveway towards the road leading around the lake. The rain had stopped though it was cloudy and their path muddy. Michael’s magick remained strong, and Morgan relaxed, her fire happy to settle after the long night with Beck.

“You, uh, have any questions for me?” Michael asked as they walked. “About our family, the school. Anything?”

“Not really,” Morgan replied.

He glanced at her. “Beck’s a good kid. He’s made some mistakes, but he’s coming into his own. I’m really proud of him. Happy he found his counterbalance.”