Page 18 of Light Magic

That was a good ratio.

“The hall has incredible magical protection,” Maggie said. “For an artifact to be taken … it takes a lot of planning and cunning. They would have to surprise and overwhelm us, and somehow neutralize the building’s magic.”

“But we have taken more precautions since the latest attack,” Abbie said. “I would say it’s nearly impossible to have an artifact stolen now.”

“Hopefully, we won’t have to test that theory,” Gwen said.

Britt snorted. “Eventually, we will. We all know most supernaturals are greedy, power-hungry, and incredibly selfish.”

Magnus cleared his throat. “Can we change the subject? I don’t like gloomy with my dinner.”

“Sorry, uncle,” Maggie and Gwen said.

“You’re the gloomy one, Magnus,” Belinda said, her tone firmer.

He straightened in his chair. “Mind your own business, Belinda.”

“Don’t start, please,” Abbie pleaded. She glanced at Myg and nodded.

As the dinner plates were replaced by dessert—a delicious, salted caramel cheesecake with pecans—I observed the family. I now knew the grandma was actually the mother of the girls’ father, and Magnus had called Belinda by her name, not Mother. It could be that he was her son and called her that anyway, but after seeing the tension in their short exchange, I believed he was the brother of the girls’ mother.

Not that it mattered. They were all family and took care of the Grand Eternity Hall.

I put the last piece of the cheesecake in my mouth, my belly already protesting. I had eaten too much, but damn, it was so good, I couldn’t stop until everything was gone.

I reached for my glass of red wine—how Myg knew what I liked drinking, I had no idea—and almost spilled it when a loud roar echoed from the hallway.

Abbie, Levi, and Magnus jumped to their feet, magic at their fingertips, as they stared at the archway.

A moment later, a huge tiger ran inside. I gasped. I mean, I had known they had a tiger, but I hadn’t expected to see it. Especially not like this, barreling inside the dining room as if his tail was on fire.

The tiger skidded to a stop, looked at Trent, and let out a long whine.

“He’s hurt,” Trent said.

The tiger collapsed on the floor.

5

In a flash, everyone was up and moving. Trent, Maggie, and Lacey tended to the tiger, while Gwen and Britt stayed with their grandma. Abbie, Levi, and Magnus advanced to the doorway.

I went with them, though I couldn’t do shit other than punch someone unconscious.

“Talk to me, Trent,” Abbie said. White magic flickered in her hands, same as her uncle’s, while Levi had a dozen darkfire stakes waiting to be thrown.

“He didn’t see what attacked him,” Trent said, his voice shaking. “It came from behind. He just knows it was one of the creatures that escaped the dungeon.”

“Damn it,” Abbie muttered.

I glanced back and saw Lacey press her hand to the tiger’s bloody back and heal him. The other animals stayed with Belinda, Gwen, and Britt, as if they all needed to protect grandma.

Levi, Abbie, and Magnus walked into the hallway. I stood under the archway, on the lookout as they spread out and searched for whatever was outside.

Five minutes later, they came back.

“Whatever it was, it’s hidden again,” Abbie said.

We walked into the dining room. Maggie hugged Trent.