Lucas, who had walked into the kitchen to find Robin conversing with this raven and had smiled to himself to learn the bird’s name and said… absolutely nothing. Oh, he’d been surprised. But… not allthatsurprised.
He must have been expecting something along those lines.
“Lucas Greysmith,” Robin said, soft and vexed, still scritching the quietly grunting familiar, “you’ve been keeping something from me.”
“What?” demanded Lisbeth, then barreled past her own question. “Just because you might be more powerful now, it doesn’t give you the right to interfere in my son’s life.”
Robin dropped his hand, to Flax’s dismay.
“I’m not,” he said first. Robin was as powerful as he ever was, which was to say, not very, and yet also, sometimes, as Philip might have said,very much indeed. “And all I did was tell Josiah the dog’s future.”
Lisbeth crossed her arms. “You promised him a familiar. Well? Is he going to get one? Because if he is, then he needs to get serious with his school work, for one. And hopefully find a calling.”
Robin glanced around the porch blankly, but it was just him and Flax, no wise ones to be seen. He turned back to Lisbeth. “Are you doubting me?”
No one had ever doubted him before. True, Robin had hidden out here so long many might have forgotten the strength of his gift. But not all of them would have. Not the older people.
Lisbeth must have been one of those who remembered, because she shut up in the middle of whatever she’d been saying. People might think a lot of things about Robin… or nothing about him… but they generally knew not to doubt what he Saw.
Lisbeth composed herself. “So it’s true?”
That really wasn’t any less doubtful. Robin had been spoiled by Lucas’ faith in him.
“Which part?” Robin asked her, because he genuinely didn’t know what she wanted. “That Josiah acted irresponsibly hoping to impress you, or that, in the end, he chose the right thing, which I, at least, think was impressive?”
Lisbeth put her chin up. “I meant that he would get a familiar.”
“Oh, that.” Robin could’ve answered her question. He could have Looked right that second. He didn’t want to for reasons that had nothing to do with possibly Seeing a death. “It depends on Josiah. I told him to talk to the Greysmiths.”
“The Greysmiths!”
Robin didn’t care for her tone.
But perhaps Lucas didn’t either, or he just had an excellent sense of comedic timing.
Lisbeth slowly turned her head so Robin did as well, nudging Flax out of the way so he could see the darkly dressed form of Lucas Greysmith over on the side of the yard, a raven also on his shoulder.
Lucas had almost definitely heard the car pull up in the quiet of the yard but he was pointedly keeping away from the porch. He wasn’t even turned in their direction. He was simply visible.
As Robin recalled, Lucas had said he would stay away if Robin had visitors.
Ridiculous. Robin didn’t get visitors. This wasn’t about him. This was about Lucas. But Lisbeth would much rather confront Robin, as Robin had guessed would happen.
“Yes, the Greysmiths.” Robin arched his eyebrows. “A house where people are loved and welcomed regardless of whether or not they are powerful, or have familiars, or give a single thought to coven politics.”
“That isn’t…. My concern for Josiah is about his potential.”
“Potential to what?” Robin scoffed. “Two of the most powerful witches in generations are exhausting themselves for you people and you are still not happy. And you expect your son to… to what? Do more than them? They at least have each other. It’s beautiful, what they’ve made together. But they should have had help or at least support from all of you.” Flax began flapping his wings as if stirred by Robin’s agitation, which was getting out of hand. Robin took a deep breath to calm himself, because he was reasonable. He was the sensible survivor of a line of outcasts and dreamers.
“And Lucas!” Robin went on, smoothing Flax’s chest feathers. “He is here to help. He has all but said that he believes that’s why he’s here, which means we have all been blessed with him and the two kings to guide us through something we can only guess at. But you and the others don’t want to face that, or… whatever it is you don’t want to face. So instead, you shun him unless you need something. If I could, I would tell him to turn his back on all of you.”
Lisbeth was shocked and gasping with it. “You don’t have that sort of authority, Robin Blessing.”
“I cannot believe I finally use my gift the way people want me to and I’m doubted.” Robin huffed. “Familiar on my shoulder and everything. Thunder and lightning, nothing Josiah would do would be good enough, would it? This is why Lucas is so direct with you all. Incredible.”
Lisbeth huffed right back at him. “Lucas can save his thoughts for important matters.”
“Coven membersareimportant matters—you know what?” If Lucas thought Robin had been argumentative before, he should hear Robin now. “In the future, Lisbeth, if you or anyone else have an issue with Lucas Greysmith, you’re welcome to talk to Lucas Greysmith, if you’re brave enough. And if you have an issue with me… you’re also welcome to talk to Lucas.”
