The Hemlock Chronicles: Updates

A lot has happened in the little family since the last chapter, but not all of it makes good story additions (or at least, I can't think of a way to make it into one, so I'm probably just having writer's block), so I thought I'd just do a quick picture post and update between chapter ten and the next.

Moriah

Despite being heavily pregnant (again!) while taking care of her already large family, Moriah has been hard at work trying to improve her grasp on her magical talent in case Buster's sinister intentions come back to haunt her.

A beautiful bride.

Turns out the baby was actually triplets, so life got awfully busy after that, and poor Moriah's good intentions to improve on her magic (and go back to work) remained only that: intentions.

You'd think after having three kids already, Xander would stop freaking out whenever Moriah goes into labor...

Xander

With three new babies in the house, and three teenagers as well, plus being the major breadwinner in the household, poor Xander has been working hard to just keep his head above water and hasn't had much time to focus on personal stuff (thus the lack of good pictures of him). He's still a sweet daddy and husband, just busy busy busy! He's definitely getting on in years, and I had to really rush to get in birthday parties and Moriah's bridal shower in before the wedding and his age transition!

With a wife and now at least one child who are wizards, Xander got curious. This didn't turn out well, but at least he tried! LOL

The Triplets

The triplets were born just before the twins aged up. Their names are Isabella, Inigo, and Ilian. Mainly because I liked Isabella, and then I discovered there were two more and I couldn't think of anything for the boys. Inigo is, of course, a reference to The Princess Bride, which is one of my favorite movies. Ilian is the only other boy's name I could come up with that sounded vaguely Romani. I probably should have used a baby name websites or something, but... I was feeling lazy. Yep. And since I am again feeling lazy, I won't tell you anything about their traits and whatnot just yet.

Ilian

Inigo

Isabella

Lilah

Poor Lilah! This girl just can't catch a break. As the oldest, Moriah and Xander expect her to take up a lot of responsibility around the house, but meanwhile she's also dealing with personal problems of her own, which you'll see in the next couple chapters.

She is pretty much constantly grounded, and the house is always so crazy that she can't manage to get her grades up because she never has time to do her homework. Not to mention she has fallen for a friend who just won't return her feelings (you'll find out more about that in chapters to come), and who grew up too fast for Lilah to have a chance with her. True, Lilah is Evil and Insane, so you can't feel too sorry for her, but still... she holds a special place in my heart. She definitely hasn't shown any signs of magical talent thus far either, so one more downside to being her. Poor girl.

She did however, have a great time at her prom, at least initially.

She was even voted prom queen, which was a brief shining moment for her. Then it all went downhill. She offered to dance with a guy because she felt sorry for him, but he turned her down, and then she managed to get into a fight, so she came home in kind of a funk.

Timo

Timo is an odd one. He was the only one of the kids to really form a strong relationship with the “toy/imaginary friend” sent him by a long lost aunt, and he and Peaches have stayed close well into his teen years.

Aside from his relationship with Peaches, you'd almost think he was a Loner, since he tends not to interact much with the rest of the family, even his twin, Mattei, aside from the mandatory helping with the triplets.

But when Xander and Moriah went away for a spur of the moment vacation, Timo was the one who promptly threw a teen party and started flirting with a girl, though he was so tired he didn't really get anywhere with her. The cops actually ended up being called, and he got a pretty little lecture.

However, he didn't end up getting in trouble with his parents at all, though Lilah did, so he may be sneakier than he lets on.

Timo is definitely a wizard, and was already flying around on a broomstick as a child, so he may end up being the heir in this family (if I can get over my love of poor picked-on Lilah).

Mattei

Mattei is the quiet, studious, good child in the family. He's friendly to everyone, helps his parents around the house, always does his homework, and even taught two of the triplets how to walk and go on the potty. He's sweet, but he doesn't have a whole lot of personality aside from being sweet and helpful, so I probably won't focus a whole lot on him. Characters without drama don't add a whole lot to my story. LOL.

The Wedding

Xander and Moriah had a destination wedding at the beach, and all their friends and family were invited. It was just beautiful.

Xander and Moriah exchange vows.

Putting on the rings

Xander's Groomsmen: Timo and Mattei

Moriah's Bridesmaid: Lilah

Kissing the bride.

The wedding party and guests.

The Hemlock men enjoying themselves at the reception.

The wedding cake.

Moriah cutting the cake.

This wedding picture concept came from one I have from my own wedding.

A voyeuristic peek at wedding night action.

Well, that's it for the update. Next chapter resumes with a new narrator! I'm excited to get into her perspective! Enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Chapter X: Glimpses

I tried to remain strong, for Xander and the children. I did everything I could to make things seem “normal”. But, our whole family was affected by the loss of Buster. My feeling manifested in relief, coupled with a lingering dread that somehow I may not have seen the last of him or his hold on my family. Lilah became something of a loner, not picking on her brothers nearly as much, though she still had her moments. She spent most of her time in her room, painting.

The boys were often sad and would talk to Xander and I about how much they missed Grandpa, but they seemed to be adjusting to the loss in a healthy manner.

I was beginning to think maybe Lilah had grown out of her wild child phase, assisted by the loss of her indulging grandfather. But one day Timo wandered into her room.

When she caught him in there, looking at her painting, she must have tackled him, resulting in a knock-down drag-out fight.

Obviously, I intervened and sent them to separate rooms for a time out.

But as Lilah stood staring morosely out of the window in my room, she muttered something.

Thinking she was talking back, I asked her to repeat what she had said. Turning, with a defiant expression on her face, she stared me down. “I was just telling him that that was a stupid idea,” she replied.

“Telling who?”

“Grandpa.”

I froze, unable to process what she had just said. Lilah saw the shock on my face and grinned. “What, Mom, you didn't realize he's still here?”

“He's... here?” I glanced uneasily around.

Lilah rolled her eyes. “Well, not anymore. He left after I told him he was stupid. The guy can't take criticism. Don't worry, he'll be back, though.”

I felt myself start to tremble, and then anger overwhelmed every other emotion I felt. “Lilah Hemlock, I have had enough of this! First you're defiant, rude, and a bully. Then you literally beat up your little brother. And now, while you're supposed to be being punished, you're standing here lying to my face? You are grounded young lady! You are not going to homecoming this year.”

Lilah's grin faded, replaced by an intense glare. After a beat she shrugged and turned back to the window. “Fine,” she said nonchalantly. “I couldn't find a date, so I probably wasn't going to go anyway.” She began examining her nails while I stared at her back, trembling again. I just wanted to shake her, to scream at her and demand she return to me the bright, sweet little toddler I had cherished so many happy memories with years ago. Who was this child? And why would she make up a story about her dead grandfather talking to her?

Taking a deep breath, I left the room. “I'll call you when it's time for dinner,” I said, and shut the door.

Lilah didn't speak to me for days after that, and she was more surly and unresponsive than ever.

Meanwhile, one morning Bebe showed up, and almost on cue, Xander announced he was taking the boys fishing. “I'll give you girls a little girl time,” he said, grinning, and with a peck on my cheek, all the males in the household were gone. 

Bebe grinned at me. “What's going on?” I asked with a skeptical smile of my own.

“You'll see!” Bebe assured me.

Soon, other women started arriving, and Bebe ushered me out to the backyard, where a buffet table had been set up. “Surprise!” she announced. “Time to celebrate your last few moments of spinsterhood!”

The party was just what I needed. For so long I'd been walking on eggshells, terrified in my own home by a monster of a man, and even after he was gone, a cloud had rested over our home, depressing the children and Xander, and still causing me to look over my shoulder every time I heard a noise. And then there was Lilah...

But all that seemed to go away as Bebe sent me to go change while she hooked up an iPod speaker system and it began pumping out electronica. Someone cheered as two men dressed like skimpy firefighters came around the corner of the house.

“Whew!” Bebe shouted, fanning herself dramatically. “Is it just me or is it getting hot out here?” She grinned at me.

One of the party dancers came over and introduced himself to me as Walter. “I'm here to make sure you have a good time today, ma'am,” he said, and winked at me. I giggled, and we started dancing together.

I was having such a fun time, that is until I looked over and noticed what Lilah was doing.

What exactly did she think she was doing, dancing like that with a fully grown adult man? And what was she wearing?!

I was about to walk over and having a word with her when the thought occurred to me: not only had she come out and joined the party of her own accord, but she actually seemed to be enjoying herself, and even socializing-- albeit somewhat inappropriately-- with the other guests.

Not to mention, I felt a nagging voice whisper in my head, she's only doing exactly what she saw her mother doing.

Abashed, I changed my mind. Let her enjoy herself with a little naughty dancing. There was no harm in it, provided the party dancer was a professional. He'd know she was underage and keep his hands to himself, surely. Besides, who was I, some sort of overprotective Outsider soccer mom? Gypsy girls danced in more suggestive ways than that from almost the time we could walk, and we were often married younger than my daughter's age. I realized with a start how accustomed I had become to this life among suburbanites and their customs and family expectations, and I felt suddenly sad. Despite my best intentions, the Romani heritage I had hoped to pass on to my children seemed to have been left by the wayside, and here was my daughter, nearly an adult, with no pride or interest in the mysterious and colorful legacy she had inherited from the Family. I sighed, and turned to get something to drink.

“I get the feeling I'm not doing my job very well,” I heard a low voice say near my ear, and when I turned, Walter the Dancer was standing there smiling gently.

“Pardon?” I asked, bewildered.

“You don't seem to be enjoying yourself very much,” he explained. “Are you alright?”

“Oh,” I said, embarrassed. “Yes, I'm... I'm fine. Sorry. I just, um... needed a drink. All that dancing...” I made a show of taking a nice long draw of punch from my cup, belatedly realizing it was alcoholic and wouldn't do much to quench thirst.

“Well, then, let's make it two and get this party off to a good start!” Walter said, scooping another cup and offering me a toast. I gratefully clicked my cup against his. “To the most beautiful woman here, unfortunately for me,” he said, and I blushed, looking bemusedly into his eyes. He winked, and before I could say anything else, was taking a drink, so I followed suit.

“Come on,” he said, setting his cup on the table. “Let's go dance again. I want to enjoy you as much as possible before you're officially taken!” He laughed and took my arm. Suddenly, I felt dizzy.

There were no images this time. Only sounds. A rushing noise, punctuated by sharp cries. I focused and the sound sharpened like someone tuning a radio. Waves, crashing on the beach. And seagulls. I felt warm and groggy... behind my eyelids, I could see the red light of the sun beating down on my skin, and I was so comfortable. But someone was shaking me, urging me to wake up. I moaned.

“Ma'am, Miss Hemlock? Are you alright?” Walter stood supporting my arm as I came too, shaking it slightly. Bebe was on her way, weaving between people on the lawn to come to my side.

“Moriah?” she said, worriedly, and I gave her a thin smile.

“I'm fine,” I assured her. She still looked worried, but nodded. I had told her about the visions once, and though I wasn't certain she believed me, she at least believed that I had “episodes” once in a while which-- while disturbing-- were essentially harmless. Bebe moved to intercept a couple other women who had been watching my episode and were coming to ask questions. Meanwhile, I turned to Walter. “I'm sorry about that,” I said sheepishly.

“Are you sure you're alright?” he asked, looking genuinely concerned.

“I'm fine,” I assured him. “It's a family condition. Nothing serious.” He looked comforted by that, and released my arm, and as he did so, the last vestiges of warmth left me feeling suddenly chilly in the spring air. I studied him, and he smiled uncertainly.

“I... I'm sorry, this might sound like a weird question, but... would it be alright if I tried to do a reading on you?”

“A what?” he asked.

“A reading. It's... sort of a psychic thing.”

Walter laughed. “Well, I'm not really into that sort of thing, but I'm here to make you happy. So go ahead.”

I smiled and rolled my eyes at my own foolishness, then placed my hand on his forehead, closing my eyes and concentrating.

Nothing. No sounds or images, not even a feeling, besides the embarrassment I was feeling as he stood there grinning at me. Whatever I had experienced, it was a one-time-only glimpse. But of what?

“Sorry,” I apologized. “I... thought...” I shook my head. “Nevermind. I must look crazy.

Walter grinned. “Only a little. And you're cute when you're crazy,” he said. “Come on, let's dance.”

Chapter IX: A Narrow Escape

After the revelation of Buster's hidden motivations for insinuating himself into our lives and home, time passed for me like I was trapped inside a glass bottle. I felt the oppressive fear of a captive with everything to lose. Secure in the knowledge of his magical superiority, Buster didn't even bother to hide his smug smiled from me, and I could feel his eyes undressing me whenever we were in the same room together. He would even occasionally torment me by make lewd or inappropriate comments to me in front of Xander and the children. He would activate the 'overlook' spell though, so all they would hear was an inane comment about the weather or my health, and I would have to hide my fury and shame from them. I took to spending most of my time in my room, practicing my magic, desperately trying to come up with a way to get rid of the monster I had unwittingly allowed into our home.

I think Xander could sense my anxiety, and several times he asked me what was wrong or if I was stressed out because of work and the kids. I sorely wanted to tell him everything, but one glance or smirk from Buster would remind me of his ever-present threat. If I told Xander who and what his father really was, Buster would erase his memories, and I and the children would lose him forever. I couldn't afford that. Xander was the only person I could depend on anymore, and I needed him desperately. Buster didn't bother to rein Lilah in anymore, and she was a complete terror, tormenting the boys and making fun of them every chance she got. Timo and Mattei both loved and trusted Buster, and more often ran to him when their sister became too much. They seemed to have forgotten their mother entirely, and I could only watch in horror as Buster seemed to effortlessly entrench himself into our lives until I was nothing but a household fixture in my own home.

Lilah spent most of her time in her room, painting on the easel Buster bought her, and she wouldn't let anyone in except her grandfather. I wondered at times how much he had told her, if anything, but she wouldn't speak to me about mundane things like school or her friends, much less any secrets between her and her grandfather, so I was at a loss.

Despite my constant distress, life wasn't wholly bad, though. With the extra money I was bringing in now, we were able to afford more nice things for ourselves and the children. Xander and I bought a new bed for ourselves, though when Buster was in the house I couldn't sleep anyway. The boys also redecorated their room and got bunk beds.

Still... I lived in fear, praying to the Magic every night to send me a sign, something to explain how and why this had happened. Why was I a prisoner in my own home, in thrall to a man who had some insidious design on my children? I never got an answer...

Until one morning. It was the morning of Lilah's birthday party. She was turning thirteen. She was standing in the kitchen talking with Buster while I tried to pay attention to a program on the television while I waited for the cake to bake. Suddenly, Buster grabbed his chest, doubling over in pain. “Grandpa!” Lilah shrieked, and I ran over.

Before my eyes, Buster Clavell crumpled to the floor, leaving a shimmering white ghost standing in his place. Lilah screamed and ran to her grandfather's body, shaking it and screaming his name over and over. The room grew suddenly cold.

Beau, who had arrived early to help set up for the party, came in just then and ran over to see what was happening. As they reacted to Buster's unresponsive corpse, I waited with the ghost, eyes on Lilah's bedroom door as a dark shadow coalesced before me. It took the form of a hooded, cloaked figure with boney hands bearing a scythe. My blood ran cold with terror, and I stood frozen as Buster's ghost turned and looked at me... and gave a little wave. Then, with a gesture from the reaper, he dived toward the floor and was gone, leaving me with a house full of chaos and my sobbing daughter.

* * *

We had Buster cremated, but we held off on a burial for several reasons. Xander didn't want to ruin Lilah's birthdaywith a funeral for her dear grandfather, and besides, Lilah wouldn't hear of burying him at all. “We have to keep Grandpa here with us!” she wailed. “He belongs here! This is his home!”

Privately, I was relieved by Buster's sudden death. Nobody else seemed to have notice anything unusual, so I assumed that as the only person in the room with the Gift, I was the only one who had seen Buster go with the dark messenger that had appeared in Lilah's doorway. I didn't understand the portent of that omen, and frankly, I didn't want to. I was just glad he was gone, and all his insidious designs on my family with him. I would have thrown his ashes out the door and good riddance, but Xander took Lilah's side and insisted we keep Buster's ashes in the house. Still, I stipulated that they be kept upstairs in the boy's old room, now an office, and everyone agreed. Life got back to a semi-regular pace, and we rescheduled Lilah's birthday party soon after, trying to keep things as normal as possible.

The day of the party went smoothly (no sudden deaths in the family this time), and Lilah even seemed to be enjoying herself, sharing the tree-house we had bought her with the boys.

Suddenly Xander surprised me after we had cut the cake by getting on one knee. “Moriah, I love you,” he declared.

“I should've done this years ago, but we all know what an idiot I am.” Everyone laughed, but I was still in shock. “This is... this is what Dad would have wanted. And I know now that it's what I want.” Xander produced a small blue box and opened it to reveal a beautiful gold diamond ring.

“Marry me, Moriah,” he said, and pulled out the ring. I could only nod, tears streaming down my face. Even the mention of that man's name could not ruin this moment for me, and the fact that he was no longer around to witness it made it all that much sweeter.

“Of course!” I managed to squeak out, and embraced Xander, the love of my life, father of my children, and now... my fiancee. Our friends and family cheered and applauded, and for the first time since that dreadful morning when Buster revealed his plan to me, I finally felt safe again...

Chapter VIII: Secrets

My hope in Simanity is being restored little by little. Xander is surprising me with his patience and civility toward his father, and Buster even seems to be making an effort toward conciliation with his son.

Lilah's behavioral issues aren't completely better, but she does seem to have mellowed a bit, and her relationship with her grandfather seems to be strengthening into a deep bond. He is the only one who she'll listen to, and while I sometimes envy their relationship, I am so thankful for her improvements at home and at school.

In fact, Buster is becoming such an integral member of our family that I just couldn't keep my thoughts to myself anymore, and one evening I revealed an idea I had been mulling over for nearly a week to Xander at the dinner table.

“Xander, I think we should ask your father to move in with us,” I said, watching his face apprehensively. He put down his fork and looked at me with an enigmatic expression, so I barged on ahead, speaking in a nervous, hurried tone. “I mean, Beau just asked me the other day when I was going to come back to work, and I could really use a few hours a day to interact with adults for a change. And Lilah is so much better behaved with Buster around. Her grades have improved, she's listening better, she even helps me with the boys! Plus, I worry about your dad all alone in that big house by himself. He's getting on in years and he should have people around to look out for him....” I trailed off, having run out of steam, and I sat searching Xander's face. He looked at his plate, thinking, then turned to me.

“You're right.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You're absolutely right. I think it's about time we asked Dad to move in with us. After all, he's family, and it would be best for everyone. And we don't exactly need your income, but it would be nice to have as padding. Have you brought it up with him yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“Well, I'll stop by after work and mention it, see what he thinks.”

It was too good to be true. Not only had Xander seemingly come to forgive his father for earlier prejudices, but now he was welcoming him as a member of our home! I was floored, but I recovered quickly and made a mental note to call Beau tomorrow.

Buster agreed to move in with us. Everyone was so excited and cooperative that we had very little trouble moving his things into the spare bedroom in a single day. Xander spoke to a realtor about putting the house on the market, and she assured us she would take care of it. The children all welcomed Buster home with hugs and excited cheers, and I thought I even glimpsed a tear in the old man's eye as he stepped into his new room.

I didn't tell Xander, but Buster had pulled me aside and made me promise him one thing. “I've grown to love you and the children, Moriah, and I would be happy to move in with you all on one condition.” I nodded, apprehensively. “You need to whip that indecisive son of mine into shape and marry him. No more of this living in sin. My grandchildren deserve a real home.” I tried and failed to hide my smile as I agreed to his condition. When I first met Xander's parents, I never would have dreamed that I would ever grow to love Buster as my own father, much less that he'd give me his blessing-- no, an order!-- to marry his son!

* * *

Everything was going so well. Buster had been spending so much time at our house that very little adjustment was needed and even the children made a smooth transition. Beau welcomed me back enthusiastically to work, and even took Cornelia and I out to lunch on my first day back. The boys were happy and worn out at the end of the day spent with their grandfather, and he had even helped Lilah with her homework. I was ecstatic.

Imagine my surprise, then, on Saturday morning when I came downstairs and discovered Buster standing in our kitchen, an antique wand in hand, muttering incantations as Xander played with the boys in the living room.

“Buster? What are you--? How did you--? You... know magic?” I glanced toward Xander for confirmation of what I was seeing, but his back was to me as he chatted with Mattei.

“Xander?” I said, but he didn't turn around, as if he hadn't even heard me, and I turned back to Buster, confused.

“He can't hear you,” Buster explained, smirking in a way that rubbed me wrong. “Boy's never been observant, and even if he were, I mastered the 'overlook' spell years ago.”

“Overlook spell? Buster, what's going?” I asked, exasperated. Xander continued to play with the boys, blithely unaware of anything going on around him.

“I should think it would be obvious, Moriah,” he said, with that same ugly smirk. He looked me over. “I'm a wizard, just like you. 'Course, I'm not surprised you didn't figure it out before now. You have that in common with my son.”

“What do you mean?”

“You're not terribly observant. I admit, I was careful to hide anything overt, but the signs were all there. Any competent practitioner would have noticed by now.”

I balled my fists feeling my breath become shallow as my blood started to pump furiously in my ears. I had befriended this man, invited him into my home, to live with me and care for my children, and now... here he was, insulting me to my face with my husband standing only a few feet away, oblivious. My eyes slid toward my bedroom door and the dresser drawer where I kept my own wand.

“Looking for this?” Buster asked, and produced my wand from his back pants pocket.

I gaped at him, then quickly reached for it. Despite his age, he moved with the grace and speed of a cat, batting my hand away. “Don't bother, my dear. Even if I handed it to you now, you wouldn't have a prayer of using it. My protection spell is likely worth your entire arsenal put together.”

“What are you doing, Buster?” I asked quietly, trying to keep the fear from revealing itself in my voice. “What are you trying to prove here by threatening me in my own home?”

“Threatening?” Buster seemed sincerely taken aback, and tucked both wands back into his pocket. “My dear Moriah, how on earth can anything I've said be misconstrued as threatening? I have merely been trying to explain what you have just walked in upon!”

I crossed my arms, giving him an expectant glare. “Then explain.”

“I fully intend to. Shall we have some breakfast first, though? Perhaps coffee?”

“Now,” I growled.

Buster shrugged nonchalantly. “Very well, if you insist. But as the children will be growing hungry soon, let's pause them for a moment, shall we?” He gestured with one hand, and suddenly the entire room froze as if someone had pushed pause on a TV remote. Xander stood motionless, not even breathing, and Timo and Mattei had frozen in the middle of a tug-of-war with a shared toy. I gaped in disbelief, never having imagined that even the Magic could do such a thing. When my eyes returned to Buster's face, his smug smirk had returned. “Don't worry, Moriah, they'll be fine. Here, sit, I insist.” He pulled out the kitchen chair for me, and I sat stiffly, resolved not to let my guard down again. He sat across from me and folded his hands in a professorial manner. “Now then, I suppose you'd like an explanation of the overlook spell first?”

“It sounds fairly self-explanatory,” I muttered.

Buster's smirk deepened. “Hmm, perhaps you are brighter than I thought. In any case, it is; self-explanatory, that is. It doesn't make me invisible exactly, but rather affects others' perceptions. Xander could look right at us right now-- well, if I unfroze him anyway-- and assume we are discussing Lilah's grades or the weather, or eating breakfast, whatever strikes his mind as the most likely explanation. I've been using this spell on him and his mother for years.”

“His mother? Then Bessie never knew?”

“About my powers?” Buster laughed loudly. “Good lord, no. That woman was dumber than the offspring she produced.”

I tried to hide my shock at Buster's insulting reference to his dead wife, but he was so self-absorbed he didn't even notice my reaction, instead barging on with his “explanation.”

“Anyway, you're probably wondering what exactly my end game is in all this, Moriah.”

I arched an eyebrow.

“To put it simply, Xander never fulfilled my expectations on a number of levels, but the most important one being magic.”

“Because he didn't have the gift?”

“Precisely. As if it weren't enough for the boy to be a shiftless lump of a good-fer-nothin' mooch, he was a complete idiot in the magic department too. Bessie and I tried for years, but we never could bring another child into the world. So I thought my lineage was done for. Then you came along. Pretty, wanton thing that you were, how could my idiot son say no to you? 'Course, I disapproved of the whole thing just to encourage it, and the boy bought it hook, line, and sinker, and came straight to you after I kicked him out, just like I knew he would.”

I looked up and noticed a fly paused in mid-flight above the table. I reached up and nudged it with my finger and it fell to the table, then crawled an inch or so before taking flight and pausing again a few feet away. Buster watched me with mild interest. “Area of effect, my dear,” he explained when I blinked in surprise at the fly's pause. I refocused on him.

“Why would you want Xander to be with me?” I asked, confused.

“I'm coming to that,” he said, grinning. “Anyway, I made Bessie leave you two alone, because I know my son, and as long as he had his mommy to go running back to, he wasn't ever gonna grow up and start acting like a man, and I'd never get the child I needed.”

“Child?” I echoed, sudden horror spreading through me like ice and making the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

“Of course, what else do you think I'd need a nice fertile young woman like you for?” he asked, giving me a lascivious look that made my skin crawl. “I would've taken you for myself if I thought I could still shoot straight, but I'm a bit too old for that now.”

I shuddered, pressing my lips together to avoid screaming at him. The evidence of his astounding power was holding the house in limbo around me and I couldn't afford to let anything, even righteous fury, endanger my family. “How did you know I would... be the right one?” I asked quietly a moment later.

“Oh I knew you had the power before I even saw you. I felt it the moment you stepped into my house that first day. You may not have done much with it besides conjuring fruit, but you're full of untapped potential, Moriah. I was pretty sure you were the girl for the job. Anyway.” He sat back, folding his hands across his stomach and studying me.

“The rest remains to be seen. You've gone above and beyond what I expected, and I must say I'm very pleased with the children you've borne thus far. You're quite the brood mare. It'll be a while before we know if any of them have the gift, but I'm optimistic. Little Lilah, especially, has worlds of potential.”

“What do you want with my children?” I breathed, my fury barely contained.

Buster shook his head and sighed, a condescending smile on his face. “Moriah, Moriah, must I explain everything?” he asked. I frowned, waiting. “All the great masters need one thing. An apprentice.”

An... apprentice? I shuddered again. “For what?” I asked.

“Well, to carry on my work after I'm gone of course,” Buster explained. “I may be powerful, but even I can't live forever.”

“What work?”

He smirked again. “Ah, see, now that's a tale for another time.” I heard a low rumble and he laid his hand on his stomach. “Mmm, it's definitely getting' on breakfast time. What do you think about pancakes?” he asked, standing. I watched him warily, not moving as he crossed to the fridge and started pulling out ingredients like he lived here, which-- of course-- he did, now. “Oh, and Moriah, my dear,” he said, turning to me as an afterthought. “Do yourself a favor and don't go tryin' to tell Xander about anything that's happened just now. He won't believe you, and even if he did, it'd be a simple thing to erase every memory of you and your children from his empty head.”

Then with a flick of his hand, the room returned to life and the noisy laughter of the children flooded back in on my ears. I sat staring at Buster's back in stunned horror as he got out a skillet pan and placed it on the stove. Timo came toddling over and grasped his pant leg, tugging. “Eat, gwampa!” he said, looking hopefully at the box of pancake mix on the counter.

“That's what we're about to do, Timo,” Buster said, ruffling a hand in his grandson's hair. “I hope you're hungry because Grandpa's making a special breakfast! Blueberry pancakes!” Timo nodded enthusiastically, and I could only watch.

Who was this man I had let into my home, and into my children's lives? And how could I make him leave?