Page 5 of A Silenced Midlife

Drew ambled over, taking Selby from Wallie, and started making funny faces at the ogre baby. Selby's giggles filled the room, a sound that warmed me more than any biscuit could.

The back door creaked open, and in came Zoey and Larry. They’d gone for a long walk, saying they’d missed our beach.

"Hey, Ava," Sam called out, poking his head around the corner. "I'm off to grab Sammie. Taking him to that summer day camp with Carrie."

"Sounds fun. Carrie is the best," I asked. She’s also been a huge help with Sammie since his powers unlocked with Olivia’s had. Carrie was Sammie’s kindergarten teacher last school year. She’d become good friends with Olivia and me.

"I agree." Sam chuckled. His eyes were heavy with the need for sleep. "After that, I'm crashing until my shift at the bar tonight."

"Are you okay?" I asked, looking at him. Was he feeding enough? That was the purpose of the bar–Red Lips Mary. It was modeled after Jax’s Catch and Release bar. Vampires could safely feed and compel their human to forget and send them on their way.

He gave me a wry grin. "Gotta make the most of the daylight Olivia's blood gives me. But we're rationing. It's not like she has an endless supply."

"Right." I nodded, understanding the delicate balance they had to maintain. Olivia’s fae blood and the fact that they were fated mates allowed him to stay up during daylight hours, but it didn’t last long. Most baby vampires–newly turned–were out as soon as the sun rose.

"All right, see you guys later," Sam said, retreating from the kitchen.

"Later, Sam!" The chorus of farewells followed him out.

I took Imogene from Michelle and pressed a kiss to her cheek as her little fists grabbed at nothing. "Olivia," I said, catching her attention as she entered the kitchen, "Winnie and Alfred must've swung by earlier. They grabbed some stuff and left breakfast."

Her blue eyes lit up, a small smile spreading across her face. "Really?"

"Yep, biscuits warming in the oven," I confirmed, watching her deftly retrieve the biscuits. She placed them on the counter with a gentle clink.

"Perfect," Olivia murmured, fetching butter and jam from the fridge. She set them down next to the biscuits, and everyone converged like moths to a flame.

Drew was the last to join, Selby cradled in his arms. He smeared a tiny amount of jam on his finger before dabbing it on Selby's lips. The ogre baby's green face contorted into an expression of delight, his little tongue chasing the sweetness.

Selby gurgled, chubby hands reaching out. Giggles erupted from him as Drew allowed his jammy fingers to be engulfed by Selby's eager mouth.

"Easy there, big guy," Drew chuckled, looking up at me. "You'll get your fill."

Just as we finished eating and cleaning up, a knock sounded at the front door. Winston opened the door before I got there. Melody entered and greeted me with a smile. Mai, one of the younger witches in the coven, was at her side.

Behind them, cars were pulling up, tires crunching on the gravel. Leena stepped out of her car, waving to us.

"Good timing," I said, ushering them inside. "Thought you'd be here later."

"I almost canceled the meeting," Melody said with a hint of relief. "Found the spell we need."

"Did you now?" I leaned against the door frame as they walked in, curious.

"Apparently it's been in the coven's grimoire for ages," she explained. "Each leader has it passed down to them."

"Never made it to me," I pointed out with a half-smile. Then again I’d only been the coven leader for a short time before handing it off to Melody. My life was too chaotic to be responsible for a coven.

"You would've gotten it…eventually." She shrugged one shoulder and stood beside me as the others walked up.

"Yeah, I suppose so. So, why didn't you cancel the meeting if we have the spell?" I asked.

Melody exchanged a glance with Mai before responding. "Mai brought something to my attention."

Mai stepped forward, her face pale. She drew in a deep breath and said, "I was at a PTO meeting at the elementary school when everyone started talking weirdly." Her hands twisted together nervously. "Strange intonations, honestly, it sounded almost canine."

"Canine?" That caught me off guard.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I used a spell to dissolve minor curses. Thankfully, it worked very quickly." Mai hesitated, then added, "I had to fake a gas leak, though, and had to break a stove to sell it."