Chapter 24

Ragen and Zara

Adri's POV

"My what?" He frowned.

"Spirit children, they're made from your magic. No mortal contraceptives can stop magic." Owen explained. "However, this does not happen without a reason. So think Alexander, what could have spurred your magic to take action?"

He thought, his brow wrinkling. "… Ah, damn it."

"What?" Fox asked.

"I wanted someone to protect and care for Talia. You know, keep her safe? And be loyal to us. Crude, I called them servants." He groaned.

"It's ok, Xander. Puck explained Avalon's culture to us." The copper skinned woman reassured.

"We also kinda figured it out when they didn't call her Princess." The brown haired woman looked at Tai sympathetically. Puck also must of told them what happened before they left. She pursed her lips in thought before deciding on something.

Alex sighed softly.

"Gimme Mistress, my turn now!" Ragen told Owen.

"Be nice." Owen handed Tai to him.

Ragen soothed her as she got used to him. His tail swished as she rested her head on his shoulder. He gently stroked her hair. Zara went to them and licked Tai's hand. She whined, tugging on Ragen's denim jacket.

"Mine!" Ragen growled.

Zara barked at him.

"Behave or none of you get to cuddle Mistress." Owen reprimanded. They whimpered.

"Shouldn't she be their aunt?" Fox looked at them.

"If they had come from Alexander's reproductive DNA, then she would be their aunt. But no, she is not." Owen had a slightly annoyed look on his face.

"Does it have to be reproductive DNA?" Xanatos asked.

"No, it's just the most… likely." Puck answered.

"I don't get it." I said.

"Magic acts similarly to blood, but it is not the same. Its potency deteriorates much faster when inactive. Even though Alexander's magic is active, Ragen's and Zara's relation to their grandmother, Titania, will be weaker because half of a quarter is an eighth. They are not related to Talia and are thusly her subjects." He said.

"How come Zara is a fox?" I asked.

"Zara just likes being a fox. Turn human, Zar-zar." The copper skinned woman encouraged.

Zara yipped and changed back. She looked a lot like her mother. She had the same copper skin with a yellow undertone and freckles across her nose and upper cheeks. Her black hair, also in a ponytail, was thicker. Zara had medium brown eyes though.

"Why…" Alex started.

"Do they look so similar? Your magic filled in the gaps. It can be very lazy when unfocused." Owen explained.

"Tired." Tai mumbled.

"Adriana, come with me." Owen said.

He led us to Tai's room. Regan and Zara were walking side by side, trying to get her to sleep. They both wanted to be near Tai. We were behind them.

"Ragen and Zara will be like this until she shows some improvement." He frowned.

"Ok. How old are they? Oh, when were they born?" I asked.

"They're 18 and will age at a similar rate to Talia. You were gone for a whole Avalon day. They were born a few days before you came home. The magic they were made with gave them some knowledge and instincts." He said.

"…Wait, are they related to each other?" I frowned.

"Zara and Ragen aren't related because their mothers are different." Owen explained. I nodded.

"Magic is weird." I told him.

"I've heard that before." Puck sighed.

We made it to Talia's room. Ragen took Tai's shoes off and Zara dug through the drawers. She pulled out her night clothes.

"No, Zara. I'll do it." Owen took them.

She looked at him warily, but gave him them. He redressed her then Puck kissed us good night. Then Owen led Ragen and Zara to the door. They turned and looked at Tai.

"They would like to know if it is ok for them to stay with you." He sighed.

"Uh huh." Tai grabbed at them.

Zara sat in the desk chair. Ragen stayed where he was. Tai mumbled sleepily, there was a soft scent of something in the air, and she laid on me. I petted her hair. Their tails settled down then we fell asleep. When I woke up, Tai and Zara were gone. I sat up. Ragen had at some point sat down and fell asleep. He sniffed the air.

"Where's Mistress?" He frowned.

"She probably went potty. She'll be back soon." I told him.

"Where's Zara?" He asked.

"I don't know." I shrugged.

"Ok." He paused.

Ragen narrowed her eyes then he tilted his head. His fox ears flicked to the door. It pushed opened and Zara and Tai walked in. Tai was slouched, but her eyes seemed a bit more attentive.

"Did you take Mistress potty?" He asked.

"Yeah." Zara nodded.

"Children, it's dinner time." Owen announced.

"Ok." I said.

Zara turned around. We got up. Owen carried Tai out. He led us to the dining hall. The Xanatoses, Zara's and Ragen's mom were waiting for us. We were seated on the same side. Ragen waved at his mom. Owen stayed standing.

"We have decided that Ragen and Zara will stay in the castle. Sanuye, Renee, you are welcome to stay as well-" He started.

"I'll just stay for bit until Ragen is settled. What about you, Sanuye?" Renee asked, cutting Owen off.

"Yeah, that was my plan too." She agreed.

"However, there is one thing I would like to address before we begin dinner. Adriana, would you like to have martial arts here?" He asked, looking at me.

"Huh?" I said.

"Everyone on Avalon knows you're close to Talia now. We thought it would be best you knew how to defend yourself." Alex chimed in.

"Uh, sure." I shrugged.

"Is that all, Owen?" Mister Xanatos asked.

"Yes, sir." He sat.

We were served some potato soup. Everyone ate. When the main course came, roast chicken with honey glaze, Ragen and Zara chewed the bones. Alex was surprised. Dessert was fudge brownies and ice cream. But my thoughts kept drifting back to the Avalon comment. Why would someone want to hurt Tai like that?

Adri's POV End