Chapter 25 #2
“As it should be.” Granny patted Claudia’s cheek affectionately.
“Come inside, both of you. I’ve made tea, and I want to hear everything about Monaco.
And by everything, I mean the magical aspects.
I’m sure the romantic details are lovely, but I’m more interested in how my best student handled herself against centuries-old evil. ”
They settled into Sam’s living room, which felt more like home now with Claudia and Granny there than it ever had when he’d lived here alone. Granny served tea with the ease of someone who’d made herself completely comfortable in his kitchen and then fixed them both with an expectant look.
“Well?” she prompted. “Don’t keep an old woman in suspense.”
Claudia glanced at Sam, who nodded encouragingly. Then she began to talk, describing everything that had happened in Monaco. The confrontation with Schwarz, the way she’d absorbed his dark magic and turned it back on him, the time-stopping spell she’d used to handle Kettering.
Granny listened intently, occasionally asking questions but mostly just letting Claudia talk. When she finally finished, the old mage sat back in her chair with a satisfied smile.
“You did exactly as I taught you,” Granny said. “Better, even. I’m proud of you, child.”
“I couldn’t have done it without your training,” Claudia said. “The ability to absorb and neutralize dark magic, and the time-stopping spell. Those saved our lives.”
“Those skills saved your life because you had the wisdom and power to use them correctly. Very few mages have the ability to wield such things. You are a rare exception, and I’m glad you were judicious in your use of power.
” Granny turned her sharp gaze on Sam. “And you, young man. You protected my girl while letting her fight her own battles. That takes a special kind of strength and trust.”
“Claudia doesn’t need me to fight her battles,” Sam said. “She’s more than capable. But I’ll always stand with her when she needs me.”
“Good answer.” Granny sipped her tea. “Now, about the Venifucus. Claudia told me the broad strokes over the phone, but I want details. Just so you know, I sent someone to Big Wolf to help contain that Marta girl magically.”
They spent another hour discussing the intelligence they’d gathered, what Mark and Nick were hopefully finding in Germany, and the larger threat the Venifucus represented. Granny listened carefully, occasionally making notes in a small leather journal she produced from her pocket.
“This is worse than I thought,” she said finally. “The Venifucus has been around in one form or another since the Dark Ages, but since the banishment of their Mater Priori, Elspeth, they’ve been fractured, disorganized. If they’re coordinating now, building a real structure…”
“Then we need to be ready. It’s very likely that Elspeth truly has been brought back to the mortal realm,” Sam finished. “Which is why we’re sharing everything we learn with the Lords and our allies.”
“Smart.” Granny tucked her journal away. She stood, and Sam and Claudia rose as well. “I should be going. You two need rest, and I need to start making some calls. But first—” She pulled Claudia into another hug. “I’m so happy for you, sweetness. You deserve all the joy in the world.”
“Thank you, Granny. For everything.” Claudia’s voice was thick with emotion. “I wouldn’t be who I am without you.”
“You’d be exactly who you are, just with less magical knowledge.” Granny pulled back and smiled. “But I’m glad I could help shape you into the formidable mage you’ve become.”
She turned to Sam and, to his surprise, hugged him as well. “You take care of her, you hear? She’s precious to me.”
“I will,” Sam promised.
“Good.” Granny stepped back and headed for the door.
“Oh, and just so you know, word’s already spreading through the magical community about what happened in Monaco.
Everyone’s wondering about the unknown mage and her mighty lion who took down Adolf Schwarz.
You’re the newest power couple in the unseen world. ”
“Great,” Sam muttered. “Just what we don’t need. More attention.”
Granny laughed. “That’s the price of being a hero, young man.
You’ll get used to it.” She paused at the door.
“Barbara called me about the mating celebration. I told her I’d help with the magical aspects.
I’ll be around the neighborhood casting protective wards, doing blessing rituals, and that sort of thing for the next day or two. Hope that’s all right.”
“More than all right,” Claudia said. “Thank you, Granny.”
“Family takes care of family.” With that, Granny swept out the door and into the night, leaving Sam and Claudia finally, truly alone in their home.
Sam closed and locked the door, then turned to find Claudia looking around the living room with an expression he couldn’t quite read.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“That this is home now. Really home.” She moved to him, sliding her arms around his waist. “I’ve been living in the guest house for weeks, but it never felt quite right. This, though—being here with you, in our home, as your mate—this feels perfect.”
Sam pulled her close, breathing in her scent and feeling the steady pulse of their bond. “It does feel perfect. Even with all the challenges ahead, knowing you’re here with me makes everything better.”
“We should probably go to bed,” Claudia said. “It’s been a very long day.”
“It has.” Sam pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Come on, love. Let’s go to our bed.”
He led her upstairs to the master bedroom, where someone—probably Barbara, bless her—had already moved some of Claudia’s things from the guest house. Her toiletries were in the bathroom, some of her clothes in the closet. Small touches that made the space feel shared instead of solitary.
They prepared for bed in comfortable silence, and when they finally slipped between the sheets, Sam pulled Claudia close and the rightness of it settled him.
“I love you,” he murmured into the darkness.
“I love you too,” Claudia whispered back.
“Welcome home,” he echoed, and let sleep claim them both, safe and content and finally, truly home.