I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. Tonight was the meeting. Ezra had told me they found Silven and the girls’ bodies barely clinging to life. Apparently they had been in the basement when the fire started. Somehow, they had lived through when the barn crashed down, which happened after I had been taken away from the scene. Mom’s body had been found in the rubble of the main home.

Since I wasn’t 18 yet I was technically an orphan now. Both parents’ dead and my siblings clinging to life, able to loose grip and die at any moment. They were at a hospital in the states and I was forbidden to go back there. They hadn’t found Alex and apparently the Weres were after me too having caught scent of the magic I had used on the way to my house.

I stopped at the bookcase and reached up, pulling down the right tome. Silently the bookcase slid over to open a small passageway. Witches may not technically be hunted here in France, but my dad’s family had been cautious anyway. I moved silently down the steps, voices beginning to reach my ears.

“She shouldn’t be participating. She can’t handle this. I don’t see why you look up to her so much Ezra. She’s just a child that-“

“Shut up Rowan! She’s gone through more in these past three years than you have in your long existence.” Ezra’s voice rang out.

“Both of you. Stop it. She is Keighlyn’s daughter and has every right to be here. Her father basically ran this damn thing and she’ll be getting the tattoo in a few weeks when she turns 18. Rowan, I don’t know why you dislike her and I don’t care. You will deal with it and you will be courteous to her. Gnome only knows she could probably put you and everyone here in this room on their ass if she ever decided to use her magic against you.” Uncle Gavin’s voice said. He looked up to me as I came down the stairs.

“Ah, Logan, it’s nice to see you out of that room. Are you feeling okay?” Uncle Jake asked. I nodded and made my way to the table that everyone sat around. Rowan shot me a glance and I met him with a steady gaze. After a moment he looked away.

“Let’s get started then.” Uncle Gavin said as I sat down between him and Ezra.

“What is going on with my brother and sisters?” I asked. I felt Ezra’s leg brush against mine but didn’t acknowledge him. He must be moving to look at Uncle Gavin or something.

“Juniper and her staff are watching them and taking care of them. None have awoken yet but they are improving.” Uncle Gavin said. I nodded. “Jake, what’s the news on the fire?”

“Weres started it. Apparently the government got an anonymous tip about a safe house and checked it out. We’re still looking for-“

“It was Alex. Or someone Alex knew.” I interrupted. I heard Rowan make a noise at the other end of the table but ignored him. “He knew when the attack on my house started and told me about my family’s history with vampires.” Jake nodded.

“I can see that.” He said. “After your mother’s run in with them it’s not surprising. Although, Terrance’s threat was a little off.”

“Very well, let’s end this here. I’m going to head back to the states. Ezra I’ll call you hen I have more news. Until next time.” Uncle Gavin said, standing up. He squeezed my shoulder and made his way out of the basement. Rowan and Uncle Jake got up and left too, Rowan completely ignoring me and Uncle Jake giving me his usual warm smile before they disappeared up the stairs.

“Why does Rowan hate me?” I asked as Ezra stood up.

“He doesn’t hate you.” He said, frowning, “He just doesn’t agree with what you’ve done.”

“At least he assigns the blame properly. No one else will say out loud that my family’s deaths were my fault.” I said, standing.

“No, he knows you didn’t kill your parents and get your siblings hurt.” He paused, “Logan, Rowan and I were your security detail. We followed you and kept you out of as much trouble as we could since you were thirteen. He doesn’t agree with the drugs and…” something flashed in his eyes and he looked away from me, “and the men.”

“Oh.” I whispered, looking away as well. Now that I was sober I felt the full shame of what I had done.

“Come on, let’s spar, yea? It’s time we re-honed your skills.” He wiped the look off and replaced it with a smile. I nodded and went over to a chest to dig out a sparrng outfit. I threw one to Ezra and we changed, making sure to give the other privacy. Once ready we turned and walked over to each other, taking up position.

He was good. I had to give him that. He reminded of me when I would spar with my dad. My dad…I faltered for a moment, an image of him smiling with mom entering my head. That’s all it took for Ezra to put me on the ground. Out of reflex I reached out and manged to grab hold of his hand, pulling him down with me.

We lay there for a second, close enough I could feel his breath hot on my lips. I moved my eyes up to his and I felt something stir inside me as those golden eyes pierced mine. They held something, something I had never seen in eyes directed at me before. Something I had seen in my father’s eyes when directed at my mom. I felt my cheeks flush.

“Uhm, you win.” I whispered, looking away from those piercing gold eyes. Ezra quickly let go and sat up, scooting away from me slightly.

“Uh, yea.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry.” He stood up, still not meeting my eyes. “I’ll uh, I’ll go get lunch ready.” And then it was just me sitting in the basement a midst the old rugs and training equipment.

What had his look been for? And what I had felt inside me?