Free Deception by B. C. Burgess

added, smiling at her grandparents, “I have a huge box of photographs from my childhood. You guys are welcome to look through them. There are some home movies as well.”
    Their faces and auras lit up, and Morrigan nearly bounced out of her chair. “Oh, sweetie, we would love to see them. It would mean the world to us to get a glimpse of your childhood.”
    “Okay,” Layla agreed. “We'll need a TV and VCR.”
    “Then we’ll get them,” Daleen said, clapping her hands together. “I'm so excited to see those things, darling. You have no idea.”
    Layla returned Daleen’s smile then looked at the food she was too full to finish. “I should have mentioned it sooner.”
    “You've only been here six days,” Serafin disagreed, “and they've been filled with stress. We'll see those things when we have adequate time to admire them.”
    “Are you done?” Quin asked, pointing at her plate.
    “I am,” she answered, raising an eyebrow at his unfailing instinct.
    Their plates vanished. Then a cup of coffee appeared in his left hand as a chocolate truffle appeared in his right. “You didn't tell me you have two weaknesses.”
    She smirked and accepted his gifts. “Thank you.”
    “Anytime.” He summoned a glass of wine. Then he drank while watching her sip her coffee and eat her chocolate.
    His stare was unnerving, but after nearly a week of dealing with it, she'd unearthed the benefits of his intense focus. Sure, it still made her cheeks hot, but it also made her heart stutter and her stomach flutter. And there was no denying she remained terrified she’d choke on her food or spew beverage from her nose, but with his eyes glued to her, she’d be rescued or cleaned up in an instant. And while a million insecurities still ran through her head when he meticulously studied her features, his expression never gave her cause for concern, but it could raise her confidence through the roof. Yes, the unease was awkward, but the advantages were unrivaled in their significance.
    A smile tugged on his lips as his gaze flitted over her aura, and she grinned as she looked away, scanning the world outside of her and Quin's bubble.
    The recently wounded wizards seemed to be doing well. Belinos had Karena tucked under one arm and Skyla under the other. Drystan and Selena held hands and laughed at Alana and Brayden’s magic show; and Devlin sat to Drystan’s right, holding Edana’s shoulders while watching his grandchildren. Kearny had Brietta at his feet leaning against his legs; Banning to his left; and Enid to his right hugging his arm. Kemble was the epitome of calm as he lounged between Quin and Cordelia, sipping his wine while playing with his wife’s platinum hair.
    Layla was relieved the wounded were doing so well, but their speedy recovery didn’t erase what had happened to them, and it wouldn't protect them from future attacks. “Who's watching the property?” she asked.
    “A few friends,” Caitrin answered.
    Layla’s eyebrows shot up. “Do they know what they're watching for?”
    “No.”
    “But what if Agro comes? It’s unfair to have them guard the community when they have no idea what they’re facing.”
    “They've been instructed to let us know about any incoming magicians. Then they're to leave immediately. They won't be harmed.”
    “And they agreed to that?”
    “Yes, and without any questions. They're very good friends.”
    She looked around again, remembering it was a weekday. “Why are we gathered?”
    Caitrin bowed his head as he answered. “Because several of our members are leaving after dinner tonight.”
    “Oh yeah,” Layla breathed, her heart constricting.
    “It's okay,” Quin assured. “It won't last forever.”
    She nodded and swallowed a thick lump, but she didn't say anything. What could she say? Sorry? That wouldn't cut it and they wouldn't accept her apologies anyway. She sipped her coffee and slowly lightened her aura, trying not to show how upset she was.
    “Please don't do