“Then running this business and being so talented. I’ve never seen you doubt that gift, not once.” Persephone was almost wistful for that.
“You have your own.” Robin jumped on the chance to encourage her. It had been part of the reason he’d invited her to run errands with him today, even if he hadn’t figured out how to broach the subject. Lucas could look secretly pleased all he liked, but Robin needed to think about the doing, which was tricky. Robin had been focused on recovery and getting the house and business in order. He was still working on those things. But if Persephone was ready, then he had suggestions.
But she wasn’t easy to distract at the moment. She sighed. “And now you’re collecting witches.”
The house lights actually turned all the way off, then brightened with a perilous humming sound that thankfully didn’t last more than a few seconds.
“Excuse me, what?” Robin’s mouth was dry. He went to the sink for some water and watched several dogs of varying sizes streak by outside. Yet no sign of Lucas or Connor.
Connor had seemed startled at the mention of Josiah Hawthorne. It was tempting to Look for the reason, but Robin didn’t know Connor as well as some of the other Greysmiths, since Connor was too young to have been a part of most of their childhood adventures and was not as open as Rixon, so Robin was doing his best to be careful there, too.
“I’m just trying to help,” Robin explained weakly. He wanted to help both them and the business. “I’m not Connor with his dogs.”
Persephone didn’t buy it. “Please. You’ve got Josiah Hawthorne in your sights. Rixon keeps popping by…”
“That’s for the garden,” Robin interrupted. “I can’t stop him.”
“And now Connor?” Persephone demanded.
“Well, really.” Robin couldn’t help some of his cranky tone.
“And me,” Persephone finished.
Robin turned enough to look at her. She had her arms crossed, but looked uncertain despite the attitude.
“You’re good with color,” Robin told her quietly. “I See you here. Though how is up to you.”
The light in her gaze might have been joy.
For a moment, Persephone was still, if almost vibrating, then she returned to her attack with a hint of laughter in her words. “And you’ve been trying to get on Chester Sibley’s good side.”
Robin’s response was almost automatic. “Chester Sibley doesn’t have a good side.”
Unlike Lucas, who would have politely chastised Robin for the remark, Persephone ignored it.
“Which is getting on Will Battle’s good side.” She was sing-song now. “And the Sibleys, like it or not, will follow their son. Collector of witches, Robin Blessing.” If she knew the danger in what she was singing, she wouldn’t have been singing it. Yet she must know the danger, because she continued, “The others aren’t going to seriously challenge you once they realize. Unless they are very short-sighted. I mean, the ghosts, for one.”
Robin glanced at the ceiling. “My family?”
“Do you know how strong they are, even in death?” Persephone saluted the ceiling after a double rap was given in reply to her question. “And then, of course, there’s Lucas.” She looked behind Robin to the window. When Robin turned, Lucas and Connor appeared in the yard, another dog and two ravens trailing behind them.
“Lucas.” Robin said the name around a smile and a sigh, then drew himself up and cleared his throat. He turned back to Persephone. “Are you suggesting I have undue influence over him? We’re only dating.”
For now. Robin had not seen any portents like Lucas had and he still refused to Look for himself.
“I think,” Persephone tread lightly, “you two have been long-distance dating for years.”
The temptation to turn back to the window to gaze after Lucas was strong. If Robin asked Lucas about what Persephone had just said, Lucas would answer with something kind, havingalready forgiven Robin for his cowardice and the wounds Robin hadn’t known he was inflicting.
“Piffle.” Robin said it just to say something. It was mostly directed at himself.
“Piffle?” Persephone repeated in disbelief. “You might not have been talking out loud, but Lucas was listening. And you’re not afraid of him, even a little. Or in awe or anything. You never have been. It probably weirds them out.”
“I grew up with him.” Of course, so had many of the others, or their children had. “I suppose he is intimidating. Or would be. Could be.Is.” Lucas was intimidating when he chose to be. Robinshouldbe wary and full of awe. “Your brother… your brother would sacrifice anything he cares about, including me, if he felt it was necessary, if it was the right thing to do for everyone.”
Persephone drew in a sharp breath.
“Yeah, maybe,” she agreed after several moments. “But he wouldn’t without consulting you first. You could lie but he’d believe you. He will do whatever you tell him he ought to do. I really should’ve seen it sooner.”
