Page 13 of Spirit Storm

I step out of the hall and lean against the metal prep counter on the near wall. “Sure, what’s up?”

His focus stays on the grill while he plates a double banquet burger and surrounds the bun with fries. When he sets it on the serving ledge of the pass-through window, he hits the little brass bell and turns to give me his full attention. "How are the two of you doing?"

I’m not sure why, but the question lands with more weight than it usually carries. By the calm steadiness of Tanner’s expression, I decide this is not small talk. “In what way?”

“You’ve both had a wild ride over the past months, discovering a different world and the place you both hold in it. I’m asking how you’re coping.”

I consider that and try to give him an honest answer. “Well, it’s mostly felt like we’ve been sucked into a whirlpool and have been circling and clawing to get to calmer waters. There have been moments on both ends of the spectrum, but mostly we’ve been overwhelmed and holding on to each other to keep from getting sucked under.”

He nods. “You hide it well.”

“What choice is there? A lot has been happening, and people are depending on us getting it right.”

“That’s both very mature and very depressing.”

I laugh. “We feel like we’re always fighting to keep up, but look where that’s gotten us: I’ve reclaimed my life, Laurel’s been exposed, and we found my sisters. It’s hard to complain when there have also been blessings along the way.”

“But you can’t just keep running full-tilt trying to outrun the bad stuff. You’ll burn up.”

I shrug. “What do you suggest?”

“Just to ask for help when you need it and to keep in mind that you’re not alone. You’ve got people in your corner, kid. And you know Marty and I love Asher, too.”

I press my palm against the fullness in my heart. Nothing fills my soul with more warm and fuzzy than people seeing how amazeballs Asher is. “He’s going to rock the whole guardian angel thing.”

Tanner smiles. “He’s been that for you for years. Now it’s just official. You mentioned the blessings you’ve gathered along the way, and I think Asher is one of the biggest.”

“He absolutely is.”

“So, how is he doing with his new status in the empowered world?”

I chuckle. “How do you think? He’s basically convinced he’s a superhero and is more protective of me than ever before.”

He seems pleased with that answer. “And what powers has he manifested?”

“Consistently? So far, just teleportation.”

He blinks. “Teleportation?”

“Yeah. He’s mostly been working on objects, but last night he brought me home from Wrenhaven. He says it’s easier coming home because he can feel the pull of Hallowind House to guide him.”

Tanner nods. “Anchoring is very important. If he needs help, let him know I’d be happy to give him a few pointers.”

Why am I not surprised he knows about teleportation? Tanner seems to know about everything.

The Oakly family are Emberwood Elites, just like the Hallowinds, though I’ve never had the nerve to ask what magical sect his family belongs to.

In magical circles, asking is considered rude.

In friend circles… maybe I could get away with it. After all, he did just open the door by offering magical mentoring, didn’t he?

“Thanks, I’ll tell him. But… um, how do you know? It just occurred to me that I don’t know how the Oaklys fit into the Emberwood Elite.”

He smiles and turns toward the large stack of washed potatoes in the corner. He grabs a couple and starts pushing them through the dicer to cut fresh fries. “No, I suppose you don’t."

I pick up a large stainless-steel bowl and join him. “Are you open to changing that, or shall you remain a man of mystery?”

He's quiet for a beat. Not uncomfortably so, just measuring the moment before he nods. “I’m what’s called an Ancestral Guard. We're a protector race, bred specifically to watch over paranormal bloodlines and sacred places. My post is Emberwood. The families here. The ley lines. The empowered folks."