I promised a longer chapter… let's see if I keep my word. *evil smirk*
We always enjoyed visiting the Burks house. They were always so nice and seemed to greatly approve of mine and Neal's relationship. Guess they thought I was a good influence on the thief. Pfft yeah right!
"Lindsey, Neal," Elizabeth greeted us in a rather excited manner. I smiled awkwardly knowing either my clan-mates weren't here yet or they were waiting on me to deliver the news about the war.
When we stepped into their beautiful home I got my answer. Sitting in the living room, my clan turned to face me, all smiling like goons. I rolled my eyes heavenward and silently prayed for strength.
"Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes," Elizabeth said heading toward the kitchen.
"Need any help?" I asked mentally begging she'd say yes.
"No thanks, it won't take five minutes." Damn, so close. I glanced at Neal almost desperately and he just shrugged and placed his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to the couch to sit down. Jessica was grinning like she knew a secret… never a good sign.
"Damn, Neal, you must be one hell of an influence on Lindsey," Dean smirked, "I've never seen her look that much like a girl outside of being forced to." Everyone gave a light laugh at my expense.
I stuck my tongue out in childish retort back.
"So what exactly was so important you called this meeting?" Peter asked kindly. I bit my lip trying to figure out how to best explain this. Peter knew of druids and magic and, by the insistence of Jessica, he knew my family had an ancestral palace in Scotland but he hadn't any idea the Druids Crown Jewels I had helped him procure had been gifted to me, making me the Druid Queen.
Once the Jewels had been recovered Isla had requested them as Historical artifacts just before my coronation (which, honestly, came as a surprise to me as well). Now I was ruler of a secret nation fighting a less than secretive war. Druids, while holy women, are still Celts, and Celts have fighting in their blood. No matter what anyone tries to do or how many "peace talks" Melinda (bless her pacifist hippie heart) tries, there will be battlefield confrontation and there will be bloodshed.
I had almost figured a way to tell them when Elizabeth gave a shriek from the kitchen accompanied b the sound of shattering glass.
"El?" Peter called, jumping up to check on his wife. I assumed she had merely slipped until I heard, "Who the hell are you?" from a very angry Peter. We all jumped up and dashed to the kitchen.
I was the first there and I scanned the scene before me. Peter was clutching a frightened Elizabeth and shielding her from…
"Cas, you moron! What are you doing here?" I demanded planting my hands on my hips like a scolding mother. As soon as my clan heard 'Cas' they turned back to the living room grumbling. Well except for Neal who placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"You know this guy?" Peter asked glancing at me.
"Yeah. Dean's 'guardian angel'," I air quoted. "Though if you ask me the demons are taking better care of him." Cas gave me a steely glare which I returned in kind.
"I am assisting you, halfling, you would do well not to forget." As usual I flinched a little when he spat the word 'halfling'. Neal's hand tightened supportively on my shoulder.
"You here for anything other than scaring the be-Jesus out of a human and insulting me?" I asked, more than a little irked. He reached into a pocket of his trench coat and handed me a packet of letters.
"These are from your generals," he said flatly. I clenched my jaw taking the batch of front letters and knew the 'your generals' thing wasn't lost on Peter. I mean he is a detective.
"Is that all?" I asked refraining from retorting anything. Cas shook his head. "Alright. I'll holler if I need anything," I muttered and like that he vanished. I rolled my eyes skyward and shook my head.
"Angels," I muttered. I could practically feel Neal smirking behind me. He hugged me closer suddenly making me flush and my eyes bug in surprise.
Elizabeth and Peter smiled kindly at each other knowing how in love we were.
"Well, now that that's over with, I suppose I should get supper on the table."
"Please, let me help with that," I offered kindly as Neal took he letters from me and tucked them safely away in his inner jacket pocket.
"Thank you, but you are our guest. Peter and I will get it," Elizabeth insisted. I inwardly groaned and let Neal lead me back to the living room.
"So what did the dumbest angel in the history of the world want?" Jessica asked.
"He was bringing me letters from the front in Scotland. They've already begun the fighting there," I explained.
"Surely you and Mirta can come to an agreement without all this violence," our naive little siren, said.
"Mindy, we are Celtic. Celts are the most stubborn people in the world. When we get an idea we are right. Do not tell us otherwise unless you have hard evidence to back it up. Alas that's all this is, is a fight over the idea of who's right for the druid throne." Melinda dropped her head and I could practically see the gears turning.
"No," I said flat out, "talking doesn't work with us." At about that moment Peter alerted us that supper was on the table.
After our delectable meal we were settled in the living room when Peter inquired about the whole 'your generals' thing, causing me to mutter some obscenities about the loose lipped angel.
"Yeah…" I muttered, "You already know of magic and my connection to those Jewels I helped your procure…" and so I told them my tale.
Huzzah! It was longer than the previous chapter! Ten points!
Jessica: … hehehehehehehehehe I am just pure evil
melinda: Thankies you are pretty cute when you think everything can be settled with peaceable means. You sweet naïve hippie.