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"I know I'y, completely embarrassed in front of everyone

"It probably felt like cheating, right Ede?" Jericho carateful for the reprieve "I estured with his hands and then took a seat at the table I relaxed, thankful Jericho was onappreciation

The rest of us followed Jericho's example and sat down Amory and Avalon flanked Jericho, while Lilly sat down next to Avalon at the head of the table I sat down on the other side of her and Kiran took his place next to me Talbott, unable to ever leave Kiran's side was next to him and Aunt Syl sat in between him and A arrangement went as I had hoped

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced," Kiran declared bluntly, staring directly across the table at Jericho

Kiran's eyes were narrowed in suspicion and his hand had yet to leave its protective position onit over, before willing myself to calm down and drink it slowly I really wanted to just down the whole glass, and maybe even the bottle, I had not expected the direction the dinner was suddenly going

"Jericho Bentley," Jericho said curtly, his permanent smile more calculated Even his eyes had taken a narrowed position on his face "Forgive hness; I should have bowed"

Avalon cleared his throat suddenly and I could feel the nauseous feeling sweep over his body at theto Kiran I shot him a hard look, and telepathically asked him to calm down

"No, not necessary, Jericho We're all friends here, of course," Kiran sraciously at hi the hard look in them

"I hadn't realized Eden had sley," Kiran turned to faceme just as suspiciously But I was suddenly interested in passing the stuffing, which in turn prompted everyone else to dish up whatever was in front of them and pass it

"Jericho is an old friend ofto be contradicted "Our parents work together in Brazil"

"Oh right, your parents are down in Brazil I forget that about you Avalon," Kiran turned his attention to Avalon with a look of authority and suspicion that I had never seen before

"We forgot to say grace," I exclai both Kiran and Lilly's hands I had had this dinner planned in my head for weeks and so far ere off to a very bad start I would be da dinner I started in on a well-rehearsed prayer, pretending not to notice that I was the only one with my eyes closed while everyone else stared each other down fro is delicious Eden, really, I a a lull in as so far a very forced dinner conversation

"Thank you," I gushed, satisfied that everything turned out, even with a little help from Jericho "I have never even attempted a turkey before, so even with Jericho's help, I' the words as soon as they left my mouth

"No really, stop," Jericho jumped in, and I couldn't tell if he was happy to be included in the conversation or upset "I did nothing more than heat the bird, all of the flavor is yours"

"Did you baste the turkey?" Kiran asked, turning his body to face ether

"I did," I s to relay that there was absolutely nothing to be jealous about

"I should like to learn how to baste a turkey," Kiran s about sex He wants to have sex with you Avalon sent e telepathically and I choked on h

"Eden Magic" Avalon mumbled from across the table and I took his advice, but that didn't stop the heat fro toto erase Avalon's opinion fro at ; really everything here is froain my focus

"Is that true, Lilly?" Talbott addressed her for the first tiht red and I watched as he struggled to look her in the eye She just nodded, turning an even brighter shade of red and shrinking back farther into her chair

This evening was going worse than I expected I needed to change the subject to so everyone could discuss and not offend anyone at the sa neutral and safe and the only thing that ca the corn casserole around on et upset or jealous, "I don't get why I have to go to India for this whole Eternal Walk thing Why can't I just do it here?" I finally glanced up at Athy discussion and save ood question, Eden, but unfortunately it is impossible to do the Eternal Walk here, the Cave of the Winds is the nificant part of the entire tradition and it is located in India," A me to ask more questions with his eyes

"Ok, so what exactly are the Cave of the Winds?" I asked, hoping to stay on this topic for a while