Chapter 2

Newt opened the door to his home, leading everyone inside. He breathed a sigh of relief that he remembered to make his bed in the far corner.

Theseus stepped inside behind him. His older brother had helped him move in years ago, although he didn't think his brother had been back since. Yet, Theseus collapsed on the sofa, exhaustion overwhelming politeness.

Jacob stumbled a little coming in. At the late hour, he looked at the bed longingly. "Hey, youze guys, you mind if I just go to sleep? I can't think anymore. I'll sleep on the floor."

Tina, right behind him, laid her hand on his shoulder. "No, Jacob, I'll take the floor. I'm so sorry Queenie enchanted you, dragging you into this whole mess. I should have been more aware of what was going on."

"Ain't your fault. I love that crazy dame!"

Theseus spoke up, his eyes closed as he talked. "I'm the only one here who actually has a home to go to but refuse to do it, so I'll take the floor. I can conjure a cot."

Newt cleared his throat. "Nobody's taking the floor. Theseus, you're on the sofa. Jacob, you take my bed in the corner. I've got a Murphy bed upstairs in my study Tina can sleep in. I almost never use it, so I'll have to move my desk aside, but you'll get some privacy. The loo is up there too."

Tina swung her head away from examining the books on the shelves by the door. "What about you?"

"I've got a cot in my basement, with my animals." He grinned and looked at the floor. "I admit I sleep there more than not."

All of them prepared for sleep, definitely much needed after all the insaneness of the past thirty-six hours. While Tina washed up, Newt shoved his desk aside and tried to straighten up all his notes from his book-writing. The Murphy bed swung down out of the wall, and Newt lined it with his only set of spare sheets. Theseus was forced to sleep directly on the sofa using a blanket knitted by their granny when they were children.

Newt carefully spelled a shield around the house. Anyone who tried to get in without a key or an invitation would be sorely disappointed. Then he checked on his menagerie in the basement. Bunty had already fed them and dispensed the necessary medical treatments. They all appeared happy and settled in for the night. Then he headed up and made some chamomile tea.

Theseus had already fallen asleep, but Jacob accepted the cup readily. He slurped it down quickly, handed the cup back and rolled over into bed.

Climbing the stairs with a tea cup in hand, he saw his study door closed but light shone out from underneath. He knocked softly but no answer came. He pondered what do to. He'd been taught not to disturb a lady in her bedroom. Who knew what she was doing in there? Yet, he feared she grieved for her lost sister and didn't want her to be alone if she needed someone to talk to. Plus, he'd brought her tea.

Setting his jaw, he quietly opened the door a crack and peeked in. Tina lay curled up asleep on the bed. She'd taken off her blouse and shoes, still wearing her chemise, pants and socks. He noticed goosebumps lining her bare arms. Placing the tea cup on his desk, he unfolded the blanket he'd left on the chair and carefully draped it over her. She shifted slightly in sleep and pulled it up over her shoulders. Then she slipped back into unconsciousness.

Newt saw dried tears streaked down her cheeks. His heart ached for her loss, and it made him think of his own loss.

Leta. She'd been his best friend, his only friend, in school. He thought he loved her. He'd always cursed himself for bringing her home with him that one winter holiday. She'd seemed so lonely with no family, and Newt's mother had insisted he bring her, right along with all his other animals. While Theseus and Leta had known each other in passing at school, Newt could pinpoint the moment they'd connected with each other. A connection that had blossomed into love. At first, he'd denied it, assuming Theseus only wanted her to take her away from him. But as he'd watched her make the ultimate sacrifice, telling Theseus she loved him, seeing his extreme effort to get to her and his pain when he couldn't, Newt knew they truly had loved each other.

He turned back to Tina. He'd never been good with emotions. She stirred emotions in him, ones he liked. He wanted to kiss her upturned cheek, but resisted, fearing to wake her. Instead he ran his fingers over her dark hair, barely touching her. Then he switched off the light and closed the door as he left.