Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,302

parchment’s magic is never wrong. Someone has their eye on you.” He leaned in and winked. “Someone important.”

Mary was not sure if she should be happy or scared. She had never had anything like this happen before. “Thank you, Kebble … I think.”

“You’re welcome, my lady.” The chubby elf turned his attention back to George. “You must be a talented apprentice to be given such an honor. To be invited to this world by the Head Master is a rare occurrence. I’m sure you’ll be assigned a goswig. You’ll be able to learn about them for yourself.”

“Ohhh, Mother!” Athena exclaimed as Mary lifted the lid off the package.

Mary gasped. “I know! Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?” Mary held up an elegant dinner gown. “Blue is my favorite color. And...” She gasped again. “And it’s my size. I wonder who it’s from. How could this person know so much about me?” She looked at the innkeeper. “Mr. Kebble, do you know who sent this? Should I be concerned?”

“I do know the culprit, my lady, but I cannot tell you his name. I will say this ... you have nothing to fear. Your admirer is not a threat to you or your family.”

Kebble looked at George, leaned across the counter and whispered. “As I was going to say earlier, tell your kitty not to pee on the floor. I don’t normally allow animals who aren’t goswig to stay inside my establishment. But I’ll make an exception since you’re new to this world. I know it’s hard to keep an un-bonded animal in line. Filthy little critters, don’t you agree?”

George could feel the jaguar’s agitation. He thanked Kebble for his generosity and asked for the keys to their rooms. The family stepped onto the circular platform and appeared in front of their doors on the fourth level. Once inside, George familiarized himself with every detail.

As soon as Athena was settled, George gave Kepler the nod. “Are you ready to go?”

Kepler lifted from the floor and stretched.

George shook his head. “Damn, you’re a big S.O.B. It’s a good thing this room is huge, or you wouldn’t fit. I’ll meet you out front in a bit. I want to say goodbye to Athena.”

The demon left the room without responding. Kepler jumped over the top of the railing on the fourth floor and landed next to the front desk on the first.

George grinned as he shut the door behind the cat. “I wish I could do that.” The mage walked into the washroom, put his arms around his beautiful wife and then rubbed her belly. “I’ll be back in a little while. I’m going to go pick up Susanne’s baby.”

“Ahhh, that sounds wonderful, honey. Take me with you.”

George had to think fast. Taking Athena was impossible. “You know, babe, I just need some moments to myself. I’ll make it up to you later. Can I do this on my own, please? I need to chill for a bit.”

Athena smiled. “I just can’t get over how funny you talk, George Nailer. I know our trip has been stressful on you. Just try and hurry back with … with … ummm. That’s strange. I can’t remember the baby’s name. Honey, I’m a terrible aunt.”

“Garrin. His name is Garrin,” George replied as he kissed his wife on the cheek. “Tell your sister I’ll be back in a bit. I’m sure you’re going to be the best aunt this world has ever seen. The whole family will be happy to see the little guy.”

George hated lying to Athena, but he could not figure a way around this one. The lie was necessary to get Abbie back. If he had to raise Lasidious’ kid to get his daughter’s soul released from the Book, then so be it. But he would be damned before he would allow lying to his wife to become a habit. He desperately wanted to protect their relationship.

Once downstairs, George found Kebble. “Do you know where the Rolfe family lives?”

“Sure,” the innkeeper responded. “Kebble knows everybody. They’re Ashdown. It’s not a far trek. When you leave the inn, take the road south. You’ll come across two bushes. You’ll know they’re the right ones because they fight a lot. The—”

George interrupted. “Kebble, you want me to look for fighting bushes? Aren’t there any signs or something better to navigate by?”

“Well, of course, but this is far more fascinating. Trust me. The roses think the blushel berries have no right to be planted on their side of the