Chapter 2 #2
“Blake brought us all together a few minutes ago to talk about your inconvenient absence. Her words, not mine. Anyway, she had to have a meeting, never mind that I’m busy keeping the food coming out.
” A crash sounded on the other side of the line.
“I’ve got to go. My new line cook is all thumbs.
Tell Finn to expect as many hours as she can give me. ”
As she said goodbye, she thanked the Goddess for the opportunity to keep Finn out of the house more.
Maybe Damien would find a new home sooner rather than later.
Sounds of hammers and saws drifted up from the second floor.
Or maybe not. He sounded like he was making some major changes to the old classrooms. She shut the door and glanced at Mr. Darcy.
“You’re loving having Dorian back, aren’t you? ”
In answer, he flicked his tail, then jumped on the couch for a nap. He blinked his eyes at her once, then curled up on a pillow.
At least someone’s world had been changed for the better with all the craziness around here. Her cat was purring.
Mia looked over her planner for the week.
The test was Friday, which meant that the witch protection spell might not be reapplied before Monday.
She hadn’t mentioned that to Blake. She would have just complained more, but it wouldn’t be a shock to her.
And who knew, maybe the coven would be timely because this was overkill on their part.
Mia wondered who had complained to the National Office about her scores.
It wasn’t like she’d worked on making anyone in the coven leadership her friend.
In fact, she’d done the opposite and not joined the rank and file because she wanted to be independent.
From the stories Trent and Abigail told, membership made that hard.
The coven did what it wanted to do with your life.
Including giving you leadership jobs you didn’t want and deciding who you should marry and procreate with to strengthen the bloodlines.
She was making those decisions on her own, thank you.
As if her mind had summoned him, Trent’s name showed up on her caller ID. “Hey, just checking on you. Buddy said you looked a little lonely.”
She smiled at the phone as she sent her last reminder email to her staff. “Is ‘lonely’ one chortle or two?”
“I’m sure Sonja has a dragon language book you can borrow. Oh, tell Mark it’s bad news. Tempest is a hellhound. His family is stuck here with me for six weeks.”
“Five weeks, six days, but who’s counting.
” Mia texted Mark to let him know. Sarah had probably already broken the news to him, but Mia added a standing invitation to dinner.
He probably had dinners sitting in the kitchen freezer with a how-to-heat list organized by days, as well as instructions on when and where to buy more packaged salads.
But he might like the company. “How are my three favorite guys?”
“Two guys, one female dragon. I thought I told you. Mom says that sometimes it’s not clear what the dragon’s sex is until they go through puberty.” He sighed. “I’m not looking forward to that.”
“Buddy’s a girl? When did you find out? We need to change her name. Buddy sounds wrong.”
“I’ve had that conversation with Cerby and he insists it’s Buddy.
His friend. No name change needed.” A female voice called his name.
“Anyway, it’s dinnertime here. I need to go.
We all eat together, but thank the Goddess for Sarah.
Neither Sonja nor I are talented in the cooking department. I love you.”
Mia started to answer but realized Trent had hung up. She made sure everything looked clear on her calendar, then decided to wander downstairs. Damien—she was trying hard to think of him with that name—stood on the landing, talking to a man Mia didn’t know.
“Oh, Mia. This is Nathan Boyle. He’s my contractor for the remodel. Nathan, this is the academy’s owner, Mia Malone.” Damien waved her over into the conversation.
“It’s an honor to meet you, miss. I’m so thankful to get a look at the inside of this historic building.
I’m so happy that you saved it from being razed a few years ago.
The workmanship on this building is amazing.
It’s not going to take long to remodel those rooms. I have some ideas on how to enhance some of the original features, if you don’t mind.
Like a chalkboard in the living room would have many purposes.
You could even turn it into a kids’ room later. ”
“Oh, that would be amazing.” Mia looked over at Damien. “I thought maybe you were just doing some painting and door changes.”
Nathan started to laugh. “This is a lot more. I’ll get the designs finished tonight and I can show you in the morning. If that’s okay.”
“That will be fine. I’m doing a staycation for the week, so I’ll be here. Twenty-four seven.” Mia ignored the questioning look Damien was giving her. “I’m heading downstairs to see who’s around for dinner. Damien, are you going to be eating at home?”
“No, I’m sorry. I made other plans. I could change them.” Damien waved at Nathan, who headed downstairs. “I’ll see you in the morning, Nathan.”
“I’ll be here at seven, unless that’s too early, Miss Malone.” Nathan turned at the bottom of the stairs to get her attention. “I don’t want to interrupt your vacation.”
“Seven’s fine.” Mia watched him leave and then turned back to Damien. “Don’t change your plans. I’ll go see if Finn or Abigail are here. I’m sure Christina’s already back at the Adams’s condo with Levi.”
He followed her down the stairs. “I don’t think anyone’s here.
Not sure where they all are—I have enough trouble keeping up with your grandmother—but I heard that Finn’s working a second job.
That girl has a lot of energy and determination.
I wasn’t like that in college. It took the love of a good woman to calm me down. ”
“Are you referring to my grandmother or your first wife?” Mia could feel that the first floor was empty. Everyone had already left. Mia watched Damien pause at the front door. “Because if it’s Grans who settled you down, it didn’t happen until you were in your late sixties.”
“I was a late bloomer.” He smiled. “Don’t wait up. Abigail made sure I have the main door key as well as the one to your apartment. If I’m really late, I’ll sleep on the couch down here.”
“Come on up. Finn sleeps on this floor, and I’d rather have you in my guest room than where she can wander into you. Who knows what happens when you sleep in that body?”
“My body, the golem, is just like any other human body, except I can’t procreate. Something I’m not excited about doing again anyway. Not with how my kids turned out.” He held up his hand. “Have a nice evening.”
After Mia grabbed a frozen dinner, bread, and a couple of different cookie doughs from the catering kitchen, she left a note on the counter of what she took, then headed upstairs.
She hadn’t been alone in the academy for a long time.
Trent usually hung out here at night, and sometimes Christina and Levi joined them.
They played board games or watched a movie, and always talked.
She liked the feel of a houseful of people, and she could tell that the academy did too.
What would happen when she moved in with Trent?
Who would keep this place filled and happy?
The wind howled mournfully outside.