Page 10 of Magical Midlife Conclave

“Hikers are trespassers, too,” Edgar replied. Indigo nodded.

“No—” Nessa held up her hand to Edgar. “We don’t want to kill hikers. And we won’t. These woods are full of basajaunak. They can sense the hikers through the trees. They’ll get rid of those. Hell, Ivy House can feel those. It’s the people the basajaunak can’t feel that we’re concerned about. The ones that Ivy House can’t sense. You’ve now come up with three potions to get onto these grounds undetected, right? You’re working on counteracting those, which is great, but what if they come up with a different potion you haven’t figured out how to counteract? We need a plan B in case they get through.”

“If you build it, he will come,” Edgar said gravely.

Sebastian furrowed his brow. “Who will?”

“Kevin Costner.”

Nessa waved that away. “He’s quoting Field of Dreams, the movie. We’re not expecting this to happen right away, but it’s better to get things set up now just in case.”

Sebastian took a deep breath. “Yeah, fine. I don’t have the energy to do this right now, though.”

“I know.” Nessa looked around the clearing. “Edgar has to map out the route.”

“Okay, then…why did you drag me out here? You could’ve just explained all this.”

“Because you need to hear the information from the source to make connections I never would think of. I wanted you to start thinking about it so you’re ready when we are.”

Sebastian rubbed his eyes. He didn’t bother arguing. It was rare she was wrong.

“Okay. Let’s walk back and I’ll explain the ley lines.” She grabbed his hand again. “Thanks, Edgar. Indigo.” She waved at them and tugged him back toward the house. “I’ll chat with you later.”

“Bye, bestie,” Edgar called.

“You should get him a locket,” Indigo said. “You show up in a picture, right? I never thought to try one.”

“I do. I am very handsome in all my pictures.”

“Oh, no,” Sebastian murmured, and Nessa started laughing.

Nessa wouldn’t let him go straight up to bed, something about it being the afternoon and his needing to keep normal hours. Neither would she let him head back down to the crystal room to pass the time. Instead, she suggested he go to the library and “think about things.” She didn’t say what things, not that she ever needed to. He had a million quandaries he wanted to research at any given time. Most of that required clarity of thought, however, something he didn’t much have at present.

The library’s large double doors stood open. He stepped in and felt calmness wash over him, something this room did every time. Naomi had renovated it into a magical place that still carried the old-world feel about it. The high ceiling was ribbed with dark beams carved with ivy. The air was cool, even on the hottest day. Ivy House regulated the temperature to preserve the old volumes lining the rows upon rows of shelving. Flowers and leafy plants draped the windows and spilled out of planter boxes, fake but incredibly realistic-looking, lending the space natural elements to enhance the carved ivy.

He stepped onto the handwoven rug and meandered toward the stacks near the north wall, letting his mind wander. It took a moment before he felt the prickling sensation of danger.

He stopped and slowly turned to find the new shifter, Aljoe, sitting in the corner in one of the high-backed chairs. His ankle was crossed over his knee and a book rested in his lap. He glanced up from under his lashes as Sebastian surveyed him.

This guy was almost as scary as the basajaunak, with his weighted stare and coiled aggression. He had to shift before he lunged, though, something that slowed him down just enough that Sebastian could shoot magic as he was running away. It was the little things.

The shifter didn’t move, but suddenly Sebastian felt the expectation to explain why he was staring.

“That’s good.” Sebastian nodded at him before turning away. “You should teach that trick to the others.”

He went back to looking at the books, wondering which of his many questions he should focus on right now.

“What’s good?” Aljoe asked, and while he was just talking normally, everything out of his mouth seemed like a growled command. The man must’ve been a very formidable alpha. The whole pack must’ve pissed themselves every time something set this guy off.

Sebastian didn’t glance back, just kinda waved his finger in the former alpha’s general direction.

“Expressing what you want without speaking or moving.” He paused. “I mean, you probably did move, but I couldn’t tell you moved. I still knew what you wanted.”

“You were staring. Most people would deduce I wanted to know why.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised. The point is you communicated in a shifter-like way to a non-shifter. Sue and Aurora could learn a thing or two.”

“Aurora will.”