My One and Only (Bewitched and Bewildered #10)(42)

Serenity turned and stared at the small human who was talking with Anne and Kendrick. "That odd duck is empathic? The one who didn't really care if the kids were sick? That human?"

Micah chuckled. "Don't hold her honesty against her. She had a rough childhood, so she never really learned how to trust others. She is getting better though. When she first got here she barely let us ruffle her hair. And you saw her at dinner the other night, she willingly gave Pip a hug."

"If anyone needs hugs, it's Pip. That poor young man has been through hell," Serenity said, thinking of the adorable vampire.

Micah shook his head. "If anyone needs a hug, it's Meryn." His eyes were serious for a change. "Why do you think she understands Pip?"

Serenity turned back to really look at Meryn. It was true that the woman was outlandish, nuts, and generally disliked people in general, but there was no denying the depth of emotion she exhibited when she was telling Pip why they felt the need to punish DeLaFontaine. "She's so little," Serenity said. "There's so much to her, it's hard to imagine it's all crammed in her tiny neurotic body."

Micah laughed. "You haven't seen neurotic yet. We'll skip coffee at our house tomorrow and go right to Level One. Meryn without coffee is a show."

Serenity was about to respond when Kari approached the podium. Gavriel and Adriel sat in two of the three empty chairs on the stage. Micah lowered their soundproof spell.

Kari tapped on the mic. "Can I have quiet please?" Around them the murmurs died off immediately. "Thank you."

Slowly Serenity sent out her magic so it barely touched those in attendance. She kept it at a low-level hum so no one would notice it. Or so she thought. Meryn turned in her chair to frown at her. Serenity shook her head and Meryn nodded, then gave Kari her full attention.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. We have a lot to go over, so I want to get started immediately." She tapped on her iPad on the podium. "Our first order of business is to..."

Hugo Evreux stood. "No offense to you Ms. Kari, but why is the prince not the one presenting?"

Gavriel stood and simply projected his voice. "Please do not make me present. I am nowhere near as organized as she is," he said in an urbane manner.

Around the room everyone chuckled. Hugo nodded. "She is prettier too," he said winking up at Kari before sitting down.

Beside her she watched Meryn tilt her head then lean in toward Kendrick. "See, he's not a douchebag. Maybe it's not genetic."

The entire room turned to stare at her and her cheeks blazed bright red. "Right. Paranormal hearing, still learning that one obviously." Guffaws took over. On the stage Gavriel turned around and his shoulders were shaking. Kari on the other hand looked mortified. Meryn mouthed, 'I'm sorry'. Kari gave her a weak smile, took a sip of water and cleared her throat. Beside her Gavriel sat back down, though he tried to look stern, his mouth was twitching horribly. "In keeping with the buoyant atmosphere, I am happy to announce that Prince Magnus has made a full recovery and may be joining us soon."

Serenity felt a huge tug on her magic and looked down the row. Though clapping with everyone else, this man's heart rate had skyrocketed. Meryn followed her line of sight. She squinted, then turned to look at her. She opened her mouth to say something then pulled out her phone. She typed something, then handed it to her. Serenity felt her breath catch when she saw the words typed in the notepad.

Hatred, confusion, rage. Lots of red slashes and streaks of black oil.

She passed the phone back to Meryn and continued to monitor the room.

Javier stood. "That is wonderful news Kari! What is delaying him?"

Kari frowned. "Unfortunately, that has to do with the bit of bad news I had to share. The children took another turn for the worse, he is being briefed by one of the doctors now."

Instantly she felt a jolt of satisfaction from the man.

Under her breath she heard Meryn whisper, "asshole,". Luckily everyone else had started speaking lowly at Kari's announcement so they didn't hear her.

Javier sat back down when Kari raised her hand for silence once more. "Thank you. Even though Prince Magnus has recovered, Prince Gavriel is still heading up the multiple investigations regarding this mysterious virus and other crimes against our people." She heaved a great sigh. "It is with a heavy heart that I confirm what some of you may have heard already as rumor. Ivan DeLaFontaine and Jervasius Régis have been arrested and are currently being held in the detention cells."

Around them everyone began speaking at once. Questions were shouted at Kari and arguments broke out around the room. Gavriel stood his face dark. "Quiet," he said, in a low, but stern voice. When everyone fell silent, he continued. "There is another reason you do not want me presenting," his eyes bled crimson and nearly everyone instinctively scooted back. "I am barely keeping my anger in check. Recent information given to me, coupled with hearing those two traitors' names again, has put me in the foulest mood I have been in, in centuries." He took a deep breath. "We will continue the meeting but please understand this is mostly a one-way communication. Kari will update you, advise you of new changes, then close the meeting. I am neither looking for feedback nor seeking permission for what we will do." He turned to Kari. "Please continue."