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"Especially when the huetting his half over," Jaenelle murmured She shook out the folds of her sapphire skirt and straightened thejacket, too busy to look him in the eye

Which was just as well

Jaenelle looked up at the ive this place the love it deserves Oh, I know Duana’s busy and prefers living in her country house near Tuathal, but this land needs to be sung awake The gardens here could be so lovely"

Acknowledging Lucivar’s pleased sular box out of his pocket and handed it to Jaenelle "Happy birthday, witch-child From the whole family"

Jaenelle accepted the box but didn’t open it "If it’s from the whole family, shouldn’t I wait until we’re back horeed you should open that here"

Jaenelle opened the box and frowned at the large brass key

Letting out an exasperated growl, Lucivar turned her around until she was facing the front of the house "It fits the front door"

Jaenelle’s eyes widened "Mine?" She looked at the front door, then at the key, then back to the front door "Mine?"

"Well, the family purchased a ten-year lease on the house and land," Saetan replied, s the house down, you could do whatever you wanted with the place"

Jaenelle gave both of the and raced to the door It flew open before she reached it

"Surprise!"

S at her stunned expression, Saetan pushed her into the house at the sahann pulled her forward into the crowd

His throat tightened as he watched Jaenelle being passed fro Astar and Sceron, from Centauran Zylona and Jonah, frorelan Little Katrine, from Philarf Gabrielle and Chaosti, frohann and Khary, from Scelt Sabrina and Aaron, from Dharo Kalush, from Nharkhava Ladvarian and Kaelas Had the Shadow Real such as this?

The years when the coven and the athered at the Hall had passed so swiftly, and the youngsters were no longer children to be cared for, but adults to beto the Darkness, and all of the friendship between Khary, Aaron, and Chaosti survived the de in different courts, they would be a for years And the girls were al When they didah, the power!

And then there was Jaenelle What would becohter of his soul when she ?

He tried to shake off his mood before she felt it But today was a bittersweet day for hiether, privately--a couple of days ago

A roll of thunder silenced the chatter

"There now," Karla said with a wicked srand tour while we finish setting out the food This et to play in the kitchen"

The girls scampered off to the back of the house

"I think we’d better help the men, who hustled off to save the house and edibles

Lucivar pro Daffodil before the horse tried to do it himself

"Duana said that any furniture you don’t want to use can be tucked in the attics," Saetan said after he and Jaenelle explored downstairs

Jaenelle nodded absently as they headed upstairs "I’ve seen sorand pieces that would be perfect for this place There was a--" Open-mouthed, she stood in the bedroom doorway and stared at the canopied bed, dresser, tables, and chests

"The horde downstairs bought this for you I gather you had adured you would like it"

Jaenelle stepped into the room and ran her hand over the dresser’s silky maple wood "It’s wonderful All of it’s wonderful But, why?"

Saetan sed hard "You’re twenty years old today"

Jaenelle raised her right hand and fluffed her hair "I know that"

"My legal guardianship ends today"

They stared at each other for a long moment