chapter

placed her free hand on his arm, silently requesting him to be still. When he stopped his strides she turned to him with concern in her eyes and voice, “Quite well so you better bring Calder and Justin home safely. All of you had better come back in one piece cause I don't think any of us can survive without y'all, especially not Carolina.”
He patted her hand. “Don't say anything to anyone.”
Though she thought it unwise, she'd do as he asked. “Take Chris,” she pleaded.
“No. This is my problem. I was dumb and blind enough to marry her, now I'll straighten her out.” Placing a brotherly kiss on her cheek he assured her, “I'll see ya later.” He walked away with long determined strides intent on having his boys return to their mother unharmed.
Chapter 22

From the doorway of the media room Patrick sent out a mental command for Callum to silently leave his group of cousins and come over to him. Walking ahead of his eldest son it was only after they were a good distance down the long hallway that he voiced his concern in a somber tone, “Where are your brothers?”
Callum swallowed nervously. “They're at Liz's house.”
Patrick's mood turned as black as his clothing. “What are they doing there?”
The boy flinched then quickly answered, “Liz took Calder when he was out picking flowers for Constance. He called Justin for help.” Callum wiped his sweating palms on his blue t-shirt wishing he were in Calder's place instead of facing their father.
Of the twins, Callum was so like Carolina that Patrick struggled to maintain his righteous anger. “Why didn't you tell someone?”
“Justin said not to,” he replied meekly.
Patrick thought Justin was turning out to be a handful, reminded him of himself when he was set on a cause, resolved and dangerous. “How did he get there?”
Callum wished he'd paid more attention to his lessons on how to dematerialize. In a voice barely above a whisper, he revealed, “By casting a spell.”
Patrick's eyes bored into his son's, looking beyond his elements of Carolina and his tone grew harsh, “I'm in no mood for games. How did Justin get to the beach?”
Callum raised his right hand, “He has magic, both black and white that he rarely uses. Calder and I knew from the minute