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"We’ve been assigned as a team," Owen added

I wondered if I should chi to contribute to the discussion, Gloria was off on another tangent "And what does Merlin have to say about all this?"

"It was his idea that ork together We’re trying to prepare for any possibility, whether Idris just wants to disrupt us or whether he’s really trying to take over the ?" James asked, his voice calm and neutral, but his eyes keenly focused on his foster son

"I think he’s being used He’s not the real threat He may just be a diversion" He looked directly at them then "You were around the last time anyone made a real bid for power Hoas that dealt with? There’s not a lot in the chronicles"

Jao up and down my spine If I wasn’t mistaken, they both looked scared to death Owen frowned and bit his lip, which indicated he’d noticed that look, as well They held the look for a while, and then Gloria nodded at her husband

"The situations don’t compare," James said, his voice as cool and cale underneath it "That was a direct, obvious attempt at domination, while this appears to be a more subversive, oblique approach We were able to take on those rogues with an all-outThis appears to have the uerrilla war"

"I doubt there’s anything to learn froentler than before "There’s notit You’d be better off talking to Merlin about Mordred and Morgana if you want to study the past Would anyone care for seconds?"

It was a clear signal that that part of the conversation was over Owen and I had barely made a dent in our food, and Gloria hadn’t touched hers yet, so I doubted she really felt like she needed to offer seconds I worked up the nerve to say, "No, thank you, but it’s delicious" She then turned her laser-sharp gaze onthat I was even in the roo ood cook, herself," Owen said "She does a lot of baking"

I thought that would focus the interrogation on me, so I braced myself to describe what I could cook and how I’d learned, but she turned right back to Owen "How is Rod doing? Is he co okay, but I don’t knohat his plans are We haven’t talked ed another funny look, though this one wasn’t as intense as the one before "Really?" Gloria asked "Why not?" I could have sworn that there was a hint of nervousness or uncertainty in her voice, but I couldn’t iht be

"We’ve been busy We keep ot his usual extracurricular activities"

"You two aren’t fighting, are you?"

Owen returned his attention to his plate, shoving food around with his fork His cheeks had gone bright red "No, nothing like that Just life, you know?" I kneasn’t telling the whole truth because he and Rod had fought about what had happened between Rod and h they’d since worked that out Gloria didn’t look like she , so I was sure she also kneas lying, but she didn’t press the issue

"You ot your hands on that Welsh codex," Ja the subject abruptly Then James and Oere off onceto listen Gloria was able to make a few colanced in her direction, I could have sworn her eyes glistened with tears while she looked at Owen Maybe he was onto sonosis

After lunch, I overrode Gloria’s objections to help clear the table, but she absolutely refused to let uest I won’t let you wash dishes until your next visit Besides, I like washing dishes The ater feels good on my hands, and it helps me think You and Owen should take Arawn for a walk" In the hallway outside the kitchen, the dog barked in agreement

We bundled up, then took a short walk up and down the street Owen didn’t appear to be in a chatty mood, and I didn’t press the point, so alked mostly in silence We returned to the house to find dessert being served in the parlor, with hot coffee and tea in a formal silver service