(no subject)
Tying up loose ends always takes the longest. Ben drops Paladin off with Janni's mom Pam at the detective agency, with an admonition to the Hellhound to Be A Good Boy. Pal waves his massive tail -- amazing that he's only half-grown and already the size of a Saint Bernard, good grief -- and takes up station beside Pam's desk. Pam gives Ben a hug and tells him to be careful, snorting when he says that he's always careful. He also drops a few presents on her desk and hopes he'll be able to call her Christmas day. She's got some for his houseful too.
His next stop is Alex and Megan's. His Alpha gives him the same Look she gives her husband the adrenaline junkie when he's about to do something dangerous and dumb, and then he gets more hugs and "be carefuls" from all around -- including from Chambliss, the ever-so-competent and unflappable butler, who is looking distinctly and uncomfortably flapped. Ben wonders if he knows something Ben doesn't. He starts to ask and then decides not to, but Chambliss's "be careful" is far more serious than usual, and he swallows and nods before leaving their presents and picking up the ones they have for him and his.
...and that's pretty much it. He drops the gifts off in the house he hopes is still standing when this is over, under the undecorated tree. He goes through the property, strengthening the wards and making it as tight as he knows how, having picked up some tricks from both Raz and Father Leo along the way. His bag is already packed, and he hefts it and gives Guriel a comradely shoulder-bump.
"Ready to go when you are, brother."
And they're Moving. He finds himself back in the world in a little courtyard, and a monk smiles at him. "Welcome to Iona."
His next stop is Alex and Megan's. His Alpha gives him the same Look she gives her husband the adrenaline junkie when he's about to do something dangerous and dumb, and then he gets more hugs and "be carefuls" from all around -- including from Chambliss, the ever-so-competent and unflappable butler, who is looking distinctly and uncomfortably flapped. Ben wonders if he knows something Ben doesn't. He starts to ask and then decides not to, but Chambliss's "be careful" is far more serious than usual, and he swallows and nods before leaving their presents and picking up the ones they have for him and his.
...and that's pretty much it. He drops the gifts off in the house he hopes is still standing when this is over, under the undecorated tree. He goes through the property, strengthening the wards and making it as tight as he knows how, having picked up some tricks from both Raz and Father Leo along the way. His bag is already packed, and he hefts it and gives Guriel a comradely shoulder-bump.
"Ready to go when you are, brother."
And they're Moving. He finds himself back in the world in a little courtyard, and a monk smiles at him. "Welcome to Iona."