Julien Gregg's Moreau Witches Part Two Chapter 9

 NINE

Time moves for mortals just as it does for Immortalis. The twins grew into fine young men. I tested them with the ring and it burned both of them. I was secretly thrilled by this. But when I tested Lisette at fifteen, the necklace sat around her neck for a full ten minutes before I took it off. I took her to Moreau Legal and got her all set up. She received her first twenty thousand in her checking account. She didn't spend any money right away. I held a party at the Keller Center to introduce her as the Heiress in Waiting. That went off without a hitch. She was still the princess of the family, and now they had even more reason to think so.

The twins were happy for her. They didn't want to be the heir. That was good, because they weren't. I had been giving a lot of thought to giving them the elixir when they got out of college. I wasn't sure if I wanted to or not. They didn't know that Greg and I were immortal. They just knew that we were their dads. Lisette was my baby girl, and I was more worried about who would win her heart. So far, none of the boys seemed to interest her much. She wasn't into girls, but she wasn't ready for the dating pool. She'd danced with many of her cousins and boys from the coven on the night of her party. She'd had a good time.

I bought the boys trucks for their sixteenth birthday. They were both working summers at the shelter and expressed the desire to work there permanently. I was all for it. However when I figured out that they didn't want to go to college I had much to say about it. Let's just say they were tender from the tongue lashing I'd given them about college. I wanted all three of my children to go to Ashdon. It was good enough for me and their Pop, so it was good enough for them.

Of course, Grandpa took their side. He said that if they didn't want to go who was I to make them go? I told him that I wanted them to have an education. He said they weren't going to be doctors. That was evident. They got passing grades at school. They were nothing to celebrate. It was Lisette who got straight A grades in all of her subjects. She absolutely loved school and learning. The twins just weren't much like her at all. They were rough and tumble boys who loved to wrestle in the yard with their dogs. They both had a dog of their own. Much like Lestan and I did. The dogs slept with their boy every night. Pop and Grandpa, who we were now calling Stephan and Shane so as not to confuse the kids on who was Pop, said that the house was overrun by dogs. I told them to just get used to it. They laughed at that.

I worked at the shelter full time. I'd even bought it from the Legacy. It was all mine. I would run it even after I stepped down for Lisette to take over the Legacy. She went with me to all of the meetings, and she sat with me through all of the phone calls, the conference calls, and learned to do all of the paperwork. She excelled at everything she put her mind to. Of course, she was the apple of her father's eye and she knew it.

Greg asked when I was going to step down as heir and I said when she graduated from college and was ready to take over. He nodded at this. We were still the sixteen year old boys we'd been when I'd drunk the elixir and bonded him. The kids thought we just aged well. Damon and Jason were gone with their bonded. It was just the coven and no Immortalis but me, Lestan, Stephan, and Shane. I never heard from Peter and Tanya again. That was good I suppose. I just wondered about them from time to time.

"So, you'll step down as heir and just run the shelter?" Shane asked me when we were sitting alone in the dining room one evening.

"Yes," I said. "When she graduates from college and is ready to take over, I'll step down. I'll tell the family that Greg and I are Immortalis and will live forever, so I would be stepping down to allow the next generation to take over."

"How do you think the family will react to the fact that you and Greg are Immortalis?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," I said. "I don't think it will make much difference in the scheme of things. We've been Immortalis since we were sixteen years old."

"That's what I'm getting at," he said. "Several in the coven already suspect, because you and Greg have not aged. They've asked if I am immortal because I haven't changed from the fifty year old they've always known. I told them I was."

"You did?" I asked. "What about Stephan?"

"He told them he was, too," he said. "So, they're talking about you."

"Well, then it won't be such a shock when I tell them," I said.

I called a coven meeting and Greg, Stephan, Shane, and I sat at the front table to address the coven. There were so many people in the Keller Center. Some were at tables outside with speakers set up so they could hear what we said. I stood and brought them to order. They all looked at me, and I had a sudden worry that they'd try to eject me from the coven. That wouldn't do. I wasn't going anywhere. I needed to tell them that.

"Many of you have speculated about the fact that Greg and I don't age," I said. "I've called you hear to address that issue. Damon, before he was here called me with a proposition for me and Lestan. He said he'd bond both of us and give us the elixir of life. He came to town and did just that. We are Immortalis. I will step down as heir when Lisette gets out of college and is ready to take over. I have taken steps to make sure there is a place for me and for Lestan. We would like to remain with the coven, though we'll live forever. I do not have the elixir of life or the bonding potion anymore. There will be no more Immortalis in the family. Please understand that. I don't want to be hounded with requests to become immortal. I will continue to work at the shelter, I have purchased it from the Legacy. It is mine. Lestan and I will continue to work there. Greg and Mary Beth are both bonded to me and to Lestan. We aren't bonding anymore people. I bonded Peter and Tanya so that I could have children. You know that the twins were born from this union as was Lisette. If you have questions, please be orderly in asking them and I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability."

"You are immortal," said Pierre. "You will live forever, and Greg will live forever because he is bonded to you, is that correct?"

"Yes," I said. "I bonded Greg and married him."

"So, you'll be with the coven long after we have died?" Pierre asked.

"If the coven will allow me to stay," I said.

"Of course, we'll allow you to stay," said Revanche. "You're the Heir to the Legacy. Why step down at all?"

"Because I need to let the natural progression of Heirs and Heiresses move forward," I said. "I can't just be the Heir forever."

"You don't have the elixir anymore," said Joseph. "What if you want to make your children immortal? Can you make it again?"

"I could," I said. "But I won't. Unless they ask me formally to make them Immortalis, I won't brew either potion again."

"I just wanted to clarify," Joseph said. "I don't want to be immortal. I'd like to join my wife, mother, and sister in the next life."

"Okay," I said. "Anyone else?"

"Yeah," said Quinn. "Why wasn't this offer extended to more in the coven?"

"You'd have to ask Damon that question," I said. "He's gone, and I don't know where he is."

"Okay," he said.

They had a lot of questions. Some were angry that I wouldn't be making anymore Immortalis. They asked about Stephan and Shane, and I told them that I made them immortal when the asked me to. They had questions for them. They asked if I was only telling them because I would be stepping down as Heir to allow Lisette to take over. I told them I had always planned to tell them. I wouldn't keep something like this from them forever.

The meeting lasted until well into the night. Several had questions about what it meant to be immortal. Wouldn't I want to leave Moonlight Bay and see the world. I told them that eventually I might, but right now I wanted to remain with those that I loved. They accepted that. In the end they just wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to insist that the rest of the coven become immortal. I told them that was never my plan or my intension. They broke up about eleven that night. I was sure they'd have more questions later, but I went home and went to bed.

The next morning it was my children who had questions. Pierre asked, "Can we be immortal?"

"You can be if you really want to be," I said. "I want you both to really think about it before you ask me to brew the elixir. It might work on you, it might not. If it doesn't I'll brew the bonding potion and go from there."

"Okay," said Phillip. "We'll think it over."

"Thank you boys," I said.

"Well, I don't want it," Lisette said. "I want to live a life and die and then live another. What does the Goddess think of you all being immortal?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "Nothing bad has happened because of it. I will say that. Damon and Jason have never encountered any sign from the Goddess that she is displeased."

"Okay," she said. "I just wondered what, if you knew, she thought about it. I mean you'll never be reborn. You'll just be this forever."

"Yes," I said. "I know. I didn't go into this decision lightly, Lisette. I thought about it long and hard. I questioned myself about the Goddess. There are so many Immortalis in the world now that if she had something to say we'd all be dead."

"I love you," she said. "But I don't want to be like you."

"I understand," I said. It hurt but oh well. She would live a life and be reborn into a new life. That was all the immortality she needed."

"A witch spelled the Elixir for Damon's grandfather?" Phillip asked.

"Yes," I said. "A Moreau Witch."

"Then can it be done again?" he asked.

"Why would it be done again?" I asked. "It's already done."

"Yeah," he said. "I'm just wondering what kind of power it took to spell the Elixir of Life."

"Immense power," I said. "Hecuba had that power."

"You don't?" he asked.

"I don't know," I said. "There's no way to test it."

"You could try," he said.

"Why would I try?" I asked. "I'm immortal. Why would I try to make another Elixir?"

"I don't know," he said. "It's just something that I thought about."]

Pierre shocked me. He looked me in the eye and said, "I want it, Dad. I want to be an Immortalis."

"Okay," I said. "At the next full moon I'll brew the elixir."

"Thank you," he said.

"Well, if Pierre is doing it then I will too," said Phillip. "I don't want to be what my twin is not."

"Like I said I'll brew the elixir at the next full moon," I said. "You're both sure of this? I mean it's eternity on Earth. Living your life over and over again."

"I know," Pierre said. "I want it."

"Okay," I said.

It was two weeks to the next full moon. I got the ingredients together and started to brew it with spring water. When it boiled and turned red I took if off the stove. They watched me like a hawk. Then I poured it into a mason jar and took it out to the sun porch. I sat it on the little table there and went back inside. The moon would shine on the sun porch and it would activate the elixir. They could drink it tomorrow. Then we'd see if their being born of an Immortalis and his bonded made them able to drink the elixir without being bonded first. I hoped it did. I didn't want them in my head for any period of time. I didn't want to know exactly what they were feeling and thinking.

Bright and early the next morning I poured them both a cup of elixir. They drank it down and went into the living room to sleep. When they woke up, they told me they could think of so much more at once. I knew then that they were Immortalis. It had worked. I told them that they would never be tired but they must sleep at night or they'd fall over from exhaustion. They nodded. I told them not to become reckless because they couldn't die. They could still be injured. It would heal, but it would be painful. They nodded at this.

Lisette stared at them for a long moment, and I wondered if she was doubting her decision to stay mortal. I didn't say anything to her about it. Instead I asked her about school. She told me that she had aced her finals and had already seen the grades. She was a senior next year. The boys were as well. Lisette skipped a grade she as so smart. I just ate my breakfast and let her think. Stephan and Shane came in and made themselves plates.

"When do we have to move out of the manor?" Shane asked.

"I don't know," I said. "When I step down I'm leaving the manor. Greg and I will move to the beach house with our dogs."

"Okay," he said. "I know where I'm going."

"You do?" I asked.

"I bought a house," he said. "Paid it off yesterday. There was so much going on that I didn't get a chance to tell you."

"That's all right," I said. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," he said. "It's one the West Side of the city. It's not far from the beach. It's just a one bedroom house, but it's mine."

"I would like to go with you," Stephan said to me.

"You can," I said. "I'd love to have you live with me and Greg."

"Greg, what do you think?" Stephan asked him.

"I'm all for it," he said. "I love living here, but the beach house will be fine. It'd be awful lonely without you."

"Well then it's settled," he said. "When you step dow we're all moving out."

"Yeah, I have the beach house beside Charlie's," Lestan said into the silence.

"I'll be alone here?" Lisette asked.

"Well, hopefully you'll live with your husband," I said.

"I have a boy in mind," she said. "He thinks I'm the best thing since ice cream. I can see us together."

"Well, then have him over so we can meet him," I said.

"I will," she said with a smile. "See this is normal. That immortal stuff isn't normal."

"Well, all of your immediate family is Immortalis," I said. "You might want to stop thinking it's not normal."

"I hear you," she said. "Are you going to the shelter today?"

"Yes," I said. "I have some paperwork to take care of. There are three adoptions scheduled for today, and four new dogs are coming in."

"Wow," she said. "Busy day."

"It'll be all right," I said. "I don't have Legacy stuff to do today. If they find some for me, they'll find me at the shelter."

That's just what I did. I went to the shelter and said hello to everyone that was already there. Rusty was getting the kennels ready for the new dogs. He was efficient and I liked that about him. He came into the office when he was done. He stood there, looking at me for a long time. I just kept doing paperwork until he said what was on his mind. He didn't say anything for the longest time. He walked to the door and then turned back.

"Why did you become Immortalis?" he asked. "You want to live forever?"

"I do," I said. "I will."

"I know you will," he said. "It's just that I would never do that. I don't want to live forever."

"I know you don't," I said. "That's why I never offered it to you."

"Thank you," he said. "I love you, you know that. I just don't want to be what you are."

"I understand," I said. I wasn't brewing anymore elixir anyway.

The first adoption happened right after Rusty left the office. Mary Beth brought in Casper, a white German Sheppard male who was a little more than a year old. A young couple came to adopt him. They had the money and they bought a big bag of dog food, a collar, and a lead to put him out with. They said they lived in one bedroom house on the West Side of the city and didn't have a huge yard, so the lead would be the way to go. I gave them his birth certificate and all of the paperwork from Mary Beth. Then I said goodbye to them.

I got all of the paperwork done, and payroll was a big part of it. I did the schedule, and talked with Mary Beth about the vet staff. She said she and Lestan would work at the same time. The kids were doing fine, so she wasn't worried about them. She and Lestan had already moved to the beach house. They had three boys named Percival, Preston, and Peter. I loved those boys, I saw them when they hung out with Pierre and Phillip. I told her that I had the schedule done for the next month. She took a copy of it and said it was fine. She said that Rusty might have something to say about it. He liked mornings, and I had him scheduled for two nights.

"It's just the way it worked out," I told her. "He'll be all right."

There were ten people working for the shelter. The rest were volunteers. Rusty, Pierre, Phillip, Preston, Jean Luc, Lestan, Mary Beth, Greg, myself, and two vet techs that I didn't know well were all employed at the shelter. There were five volunteers, but that number changed from time to time. It got smaller during the winter and bigger during the summer. The dogs all loved people so it wasn't a problem. There was always someone around to play with them or to feed them and water them.

The dogs came in while I was ordering lunch for everyone. I did their intake paperwork. Mary Beth, Lestan, and Kayla, the temporary vet checked them in and put them in kennels. These dogs were rescued when their owner died of old age. They were well cared for and happy dogs. finding them homes would be easy. There were two couples walking around the yard to look at dogs and to play with this or that dog. They were looking to adopt. I had thought they had made up their minds, but apparently they hadn't.

One couple, Elders of the coven chose Sasha, a multi colored Boarder Collie who was very friendly and happy. She was also healthy. She was about a year old. I gave them all of her paperwork, and sold them a big bag of food, a collar, and treats. Adam, the male in the couple told me that the coven had voted this morning on whether the Immortalis could stay. They'd decided that we could. He said he had voted to let us stay. I thanked him, though I was dismayed that they held a vote without the High Priest of the coven.

The other couple, a young couple who had been married only two hears and had no children came in with Jasper, a fun loving miniature Doberman. I gave them his paperwork and told them that he wasn't quite a year old. They liked that. I sold them a big bag of food, a collar, and treats. They also bought a pet bed. Then they were gone. That was the last of the adoptions for the day. I left the shelter to go and get five pizzas from The Family Fun Center to feed the army at the shelter. I took them back and set them up on the tables in the office. I called them in to eat. I gave them schedules as they came through the door.

"Rusty, I have you on two nights," I said. "I hope that's all right."

"It's fine," he said. "I like mornings, but I will work where you need me."

"Thank you," I said.

Lestan told me in private that he'd given the elixir to all three of his children and it worked. I told him I'd given it to the twins, but Lisette didn't want it. He seemed shocked by that, but I told him what she'd said. He nodded at this and went back to eating his pizza. We were all talking back and forth about the dogs as we ate the pizza. I was thinking that I needed a witch day to just be a witch. I told them that I was taking tomorrow off. There were no adoptions and no dogs were coming in. Someone would have to be in the office to do paperwork, but it wouldn't be me. They talked amongst themselves and Rusty volunteered to do my job tomorrow. He'd done it before so I was happy.

The rest of the day was spent doing little things like listing dogs for adoption, checking vet paperwork for each dog, making sure their dietary requirements were being met, and so on and so forth. By the time I got done for the day, I had everything taken care of. There would only be tomorrow's paperwork and any adoptions that happened tomorrow. None were scheduled, so I didn't know if he'd have any or not. I might stop by to check on him. I wasn't sure. I closed the computer and turned off the lights. Then I locked the office door and went home.

Pierre had met a girl he wanted to be with. He said her name was Alisha Moreau, and she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. She was a graduate just like him, and they had been on four dates. He was planning to bring her to meet the family soon. I told him to bring her in and we'd talk with her. He wanted to know if she could have the elixir. I said no. She could have the bonding potion and I taught him how to make it. I told him that Greg wasn't an Immortalis. He was just bonded. It was the same for Mary Beth. He said he understood.

It was the same for Phillip, but he'd been having sex with the same boy since they'd started high school. His name was David Moreau. He said that David wanted a commitment, and he was prepared to give him one. He wanted to know about bonding him, and I showed him how to make his own bonding potion. He made it and left the house. I thought we'd at least liked to have met David before he bonded him. He came back an hour later with David. I could tell right away that he hadn't been bonded. He shook my hand and told me he'd always wanted to meet the Heir. He asked me what it was like to be Immortalis. I told him it was wondrous. He said that Phillip had told him he had to be bonded. I told him that it would give him the commitment that he wanted with Phillip. He said he was all for that. I cautioned him that forever wasn't for everyone. He said he'd live forever with Phillip. I let them do their thing upstairs.

At dinner Phillip told us that he was moving out and taking his dog. I asked him where he was moving to. He said he was moving in with David. I asked what David's parents thought about this. David told me that his parents were killed by witch hunters. I asked where he had been staying since they died and he shocked me by saying that he had stayed with his aunt Kayla, our temporary vet. I asked about the house. He said he owned the house his parents had bought from the Legacy. He and Phillip and the dog would live happily there. I gave my blessing. So after dinner, my son moved out of the manor. I was of mixed emotions about this. On one hand I knew it was coming, but on the other hand I was a bit heartbroken that he was gone. Pierre seemed shocked that Phillip moved out. I told him he'd bonded David and moved in with him. Pierre said he liked David. He said he'd been living with Kayla since his parents died. I told him I knew that.

"His bedroom is empty," he said. "He even took the dog bed and all of the dog toys in his room."

"Yes," I said. "He and the dog moved in with David."

"I'm going to miss him," he said. "But when I bond Alisha, I'll move in with her. She has a house that her dad bought her for graduation."

"That's nice," I said.

"It's on the west side not far from where David's parents lived," he said. "When all of this is done all of the men in the family will be on the west side of town."

"We had an Alisha that volunteered last summer," I said. "She was at the shelter every day. Is that the girl you're seeing?"

"Yes," he said. "I met her in school, and decided to date her last summer. I'm going to bond her after you meet her."

"Okay," I said. "Be honest with her about what you're doing. Don't let her find out by being bonded to you."

"We've had quite a few discussions about the bond," he said. "She's all for it. I told her she had to meet you and the other Immortalis in town before I'd bond her."

"That's sensible," I said. "Call your brother and David and have them over here for this dinner. Shane will cook a feast."

"I will," he said. "What's here favorite food?"

"Lasagna," he said.

"Well, I'll make my old fashioned lasagna with three cheeses and a bunch of garlic knots," he said. "We'll have salad and make it a a whole thing."

"Thanks, Shane," he said, smiling.

He called his brother and the dinner was set for tomorrow. Shane left to go grocery shopping to get the ingredients he needed. He came home with two huge bags of tomatoes. He had cheeses and herbs. He even had salad making and the stuff to make his famous garlic knots. He put it all away in the kitchen but got to work on the sauce. He chopped tomatoes and pulled the skins off them. He removed the insides and put them in a stock pot with two cups of hot water and boiled it until it was sauce. He added spices and herbs to it and stirred. Then he turned it off and stored it with a lid on in the pantry to rest. He said it was perfect. He'd add meat to it tomorrow and get it in the oven. He got the big baking pans out of the pantry and put them on the counter along with the salad bowl, and the cookie sheet for his garlic knots. He mixed his garlic butter and put it in the fridge. Then he sat down across for me at the table.

"My mouth is watering just thinking about dinner tomorrow," I said.

"Well, it is one of my specialties," he said with a smile.

"I know," I said. "You make it about three times a year."

"Well, if we have it too much, it won't be special," he said. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"I'm having a witch day," I said. "I'm going to the beach house to air it out and help the flowers in the pots grow. I'll help the hastas outside and all of that. I'll mix some herbs and make a potion or two."

"What for?" he asked.

"Just because I can," I said. "It's been a while since I was just a witch, doing witch things. First there was the legacy, then the west side, and the shelter. All of this stuff with the Immortalis was taking away from me being a witch. I have a power and I want to use it."

"You've been using your powers at the shelter," he said.

"Just two of them," I said. "I have more."

"Okay," he said. "Just be home in time for dinner."

"Nothing but death could stop me," I laughed.

For the rest of the night I stayed in my room with Greg and the dogs. We talked about what I was going to do tomorrow. I told him I was having a witch day at the beach house. I'd help the flowers grow that were in pots in the house, and help the plants outside grow. I'd air it out and make a few potions. He wanted to know what the potions would be for, and I told him I'd let him know when I made them. He laughed at that.

"It's been a while since you've done witch things," he said. "You lead circles, and all of that, but you haven't cast a spell in ages."

"I know," I said. "I'll remedy that tomorrow."

"Wish I could be with you tomorrow," he said. "But one of us has to be at the shelter. It's our lively hood."

"It is that," I said. "It's doing so remarkably well. I'm thrilled."

"Me, too," he said. "I'm just a vet tech but I love my job. I love the dogs. I get a little heartbroken when one of them is adopted."

"But that's what the shelter is all about," I said. "We have to find homes for them. They can't live out their lives in the shelter."

"Oh, I know," he said. "We got six adoptions scheduled after you left for the day. One is an old couple who want a gentle dog."

"Butler would be good for them," I said. "He's not too big but not a small dog by any way. He's docile and friendly. He loves everyone. He's not hyper, either. He's actually kind of lazy."

"Well, he's a Basset Hound," he laughed.

"Well, he'd be perfect for them," I said. "He doesn't jump on furniture, or anything like that. You make sure that Stephan gives them Butler."

"I'll make sure," he said.

"The other adoptions are all younger couples wanting their first dog," he said. "We have dogs lined up for them to see."

"Okay," I said. "I'm not going to worry about it."

"You're just gonna go with the flow, huh?" he asked.

"Something like that," I said.

We went to bed around eleven. We made love and showed each other just how much we loved each other. Then we slept. I had dreams about a baby. I didn't want another baby. I also hoped that Pierre wasn't going to have one so soon. But in the dream I was happy, so I didn't question it. I woke up refreshed and ready for my day. Greg was already gone. He'd left at six thirty to get his day going at the shelter. I gathered some herbs from my herb garden, and then I got in my truck and headed out. I bought a bacon egg and cheese bagel with an orange juice from the fast food restaurant that had opened on the West Side. Then I headed for the beach house.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside. Then I opened all of the windows on the ground floor and let some air into the stuffy house. I helped flowers grow all along the way. By the time I was done, I had rooms filled with overflowing pots of flowers. I went upstairs and opened all of those windows. Then I went outside and helped the flowers grow around the house. The hastas were looking lovely. They were blue. I loved blue hastas. I made them grow until they almost covered the walkway. Then I went inside and got my mortar and pestle. I ground herbs and added spring water, and oils, infusing it with my own power. This one was for upset stomachs. I didn't know what made me brew it, but I did. The second one had lavender and thistle. I added rose petals and ground them until they were fine. Then I added oils and water and brewed it. This was for dreams. I couldn't shake the dream I'd had the night before. A few drops of this in my nightly tea cup, and I'd have better understanding of the dream. I spent the greater part of the day there. I ordered food for lunch and ate that on the deck. Then I went in and checked the cabinets. No food of any kind was in the house. I checked the fridge, but it was unplugged with the door open.

I pulled the towels and linens out of the closets and did laundry. Then I just sat and read a book as the sun started to move through the sky. I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost dinner time and headed back to the manor after shutting the house up, windows included. I plugged the fridge back in and checked the solar batteries in the shed. All was as it should be. I'd buy food to have on hand here for my days in the beach house.

I got home just as Shane was taking the lasagna out of the oven. He sat it on the counter on hot pads to rest. He tossed the salad and took it to the dining room. He came back for the basket of garlic knots. He had two of those. He sat them on the table at opposite ends. Then he sat down. Pierre came in with David, and Phillip came in with Alisha. She was a pretty girl with dark, almost black Moreau hair that lay in ringlets over her shoulders. She wore a sun dress that was perfect. It was white with little blue flowers all over it. She had sandals on her feet. Her icy eyes were adorned with no makeup and she looked exotic. The corners of her eyes tilted just a little up, which gave her a different look.

"Alisha, it's great to meet you," I said as I held her hand. "Welcome."

"Thank you," she said in her sing song voice. "Phillip told me I had to meet everyone before he'd bond me. The house is incredible. I've never been here before."

"Well, he can give you a tour after dinner," I said. "Right now, I'm starving."

"It smells wonderful," she said.

"What's your power, Dear?" I asked.

"Do you have a clear glass bowl?" she asked.

"Yes," I said. "I'll get it for you."

"Put some spring water in it for me, please," she said.

I brought her the bowl of spring water and she plucked a petal from the roses on the table. She held it in the palm of her hand and closed her eyes. Then she dropped it into the bowl, and it became a fish that swam around in the water. It was outstanding magic. She was very powerful. I commended her on it. She told me the fish didn't need food. He would live as long as he had plenty of sunlight. I put him in the window of the kitchen that faced the sun all day.

"That was really something," I said. "So transfiguration?"

"That, and I can tell the future with tarot cards very well," she said.

"So, transfiguration and divination," I said, smiling. "Welcome to the family, young lady."

"Thank you," she said, smiling happily.

Then Phillip had a few things to say to her. They talked in hushed tones, and then they came to the table. We dished up salad and talked about her parents and her studies. She was in college. I found that I liked her immensely. After salad, Shane brought out the lasagna and cut it. He dished up plates of it with two garlic knots and handed them down the table. She was served first. Then me, and then Stephan, and then Lisette and the boys.

"This is great," she said. "I love lasagna, but I've never had it this way."

"It has chicken, beef, and pork sausage in it," Shane said. "It's old fashioned Lasagna."

"Well, it's wonderful, thank you for making it," she said. "You're an excellent cook."

"Thank you, Dear," he said, smiling at her.

After dinner, Phillip took Alisha on a tour of the manor. Then they went upstairs. When the came back down and hour later, she was bonded. He announced that he was moving out, too. Lisette didn't seem to like this, but I had expected it. They went up and toted all of his things down to the truck. He got the dog bed and all of the toys for his dog, and then he took the dog. He hugged and kissed us all and then they were gone. Shane and I just looked at each other. Greg didn't know what to say, and Lisette was crying softly.

"Oh, Honey, it was bound to happen," I said.

"I know," she said. "It just seems like everyone is moving out on me."

"It has to happen, sweetheart," I said. "When I step down this house won't be mine anymore. It'll be yours."

"I know that," she said. "But does everyone have to leave every day?"

"I'm not going anywhere until I step down," I said. "That won't happen until you graduate from college or convince me that you're ready to take over the legacy."

"Okay," she said. "Shane when are you moving?"

"In a few days, Love," he said. "It's time for me to be on my own. I love you all, but it has to be done. I'll take paul and move to the new house."

"Okay," she said. "When are you leaving for sure?"

"Probably Friday," he said. "Charlie will you help me move my stuff?"

"Of course," I said. "Greg and I will both help."

"Sure we will," Greg said, smiling.

"And Stephan is moving with you and Greg?" she asked.

"Yes," said Stephan. "I don't want to live alone."

"You could stay here," she said.

"Well, I suspect by the time I leave with Charlie and Greg, you'll have a little one to watch over and a husband to be with," he said.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"A lot of little things," he said, smiling.

"It's Garland's," she said. "Dad, please don't be angry at me, but I'm not going to college."

"What are you saying?" I asked.

"I'm going to take care of the legacy," she said. "That's all the job I need. I don't need college. I'll be the heiress until I die."

"Are you ready to take over the legacy now?" I asked.

"Yes," she said. "But please don't go yet. I haven't had a chance to Garland about what he wants to do."

"I thought you hadn't started dating Garland," I said. "You told me you had your eye on a boy."

"Oh, Daddy, I said it that way so you wouldn't think anything was going on," she said, crying.

"Don't cry," I told her. "You're about the be the Heiress to the Legacy of the Moreau Family. You're going to be a mother, and you're probably going to get married. You didn't trap Garland did you?"

"No, Daddy," she said. "It just happened. I didn't know. I missed a pill and didn't think about it."

"Okay," I said, breathing a sigh of relief. "We'll go to Moreau Legal tomorrow and I'll officially step down. You can step up. It will be all right."

"You won't leave yet?" she asked.

"Not until I think you have it in hand," I said.

"Okay," she said. "Garland will be here tomorrow to meet you all. I was going to tell you after we talked. Stephan just figured me out."

"I had a dream about a baby last night," I said. "I thought it was your brother's. It turns out it's yours. I'm so happy for you, Sweetheart."

"Thank you, Daddy," she said.

"Come here and give me a hug," I said.

She flew into my arms. I shushed her and told her it would be all right. She held me tight. I knew that she didn't want us to leave, but we had to. She had to stand on her own with her husband and child. I let go of her, and she went up to her room. I felt bad for her, but I was happy. I was going to be a grandfather. It was amazing. Sure, I'd have liked for her to be married. At least Phillip knew to use contraceptives so he didn't get Alisha pregnant too soon. But what was too soon? They had started their life together. They should enjoy one another before they brought a baby into it. That's what I believed. I was so happy for Lisette, because she had always wanted a baby. This baby would be the next generation of the Moreau family.

We went to Moreau Legal the next day. She was confirmed as the Heiress, and I took off the ring and handed it to the partners. They told me that a sizeable income would come to me each month because I was the outgoing Heir. They said it would happen for fifty years. I told them thank you. Then I left her in their capable hands. I went to the shelter and caught up on paperwork. Those adoptions had happened yesterday, so I was knee deep in paperwork. There were no new dogs coming in just yet, so I didn't have that to worry about. Four couples came in to get dogs while I was there that day. I didn't approve one of them. He had a mean look to him. He was angry when I wouldn't let him adopt a Pit Bull Terrier. I told him to leave the shelter immediately, or I'd take steps. He looked at me like he wanted to hurt me. I let my power touch him just enough to let him know I meant business. He gasped and grabbed his chest. Now he looked at me in horror.

"I told you to leave the shelter," I said coldly.

"How do you have powers?" he asked, fearfully. "You're not a witch anymore. You're Immortalis."

"Becoming Immortalis didn't stop me from being a witch," I said. "I was born a witch. Now get out of here or I'll kill you."

They left, but I was disgusted with myself. Would I have killed him if he hadn't left? Sure I would, and I would have become the thing I hate the most. A powerful killer. I didn't want to kill people. I wanted to heal them. I was now planning to go to Moreau Medical and heal alongside Marcel. That little taste of what the power could do had set me to wanting to heal again. I was all smiles as the next couple came in. They had chosen Bessy, the loveable beagle who liked her belly rubbed. I gave them her paperwork. They gave me the money. Then they bought a big bag of the food, teats, a dog bed, and a collar. I rung them up and wished them a blessed day. Then I filled out the paperwork to discharge Bessy.

The Pit Bull he wanted was Shep. Shep was a good boy who responded well to being rehabilitated. He wasn't aggressive, just neglected. He'd thrived on the new food and was doing well at play time. He liked the other dogs, and he loved to play with tennis balls. I adopted him out to Chad and Amy Moreau. They wanted a bigger dog, and they fell in love with Shep. I got his paperwork together and sold them a lead, collar, leash, big bag of food, and treats. They left happy. So was I. I worked on his discharge papers.

That day I adopted out Bessy, Shep, Spot, and Daisy. When I left for the day I went by the deli in the grocery store and got the stuff for sandwiches. I also got a loaf of white bread and a loaf of wheat. Then I got chips and some canned goods. I got a ham, and a big bunch of carrots and a bag of potatoes. I got a roast and some hamburger. I got little things like snack cakes and such. I paid for my purchases and took it all over to the beach house. I put it away and made myself a sandwich. I would go home later. I had some thinking to do. I sat with my sandwich, bag of chips, and iced tea on the porch and watched the ocean for a while.

My reaction to the guy who had wanted to adopt Shep had scared me. I had been fully prepared to kill the man for being aggressive. Well, maybe now he knew that he'd never adopt a dog from my shelter. I didn't have to show him my power though. That was low. I felt retched. I didn't like feeling that way. So, I called Marcel. He was happy to hear from me. He said he'd heard that I'd stepped down and that Lisette was the heiress now. I told him that there would be a party at the Keller Center to introducer her as the new Heiress. He asked why I had called, and I asked him about healing people. He said he'd been waiting for this call. I told him I wanted to start. He asked about my schedule at the shelter, and I told him it was flexible. Then he told me that he was supposed to heal a girl named Amy Wendle tomorrow at nine at Moreau Medical. He said just to come to the Quinn Moreau wing and meet him on the fifth floor. I said I'd see him in the morning.

I fully expected to be wrecked when I was done healing her, but I couldn't wait. I cleaned up my mess and turned everything off and went back to the manor. I told Stephan that I was going to heal a person tomorrow with Marcel. He said he'd been wondering when I'd get to that. He said he had started to think that I would only heal dogs. I laughed and told him that I was a healer. It was all there was to it. He smiled at that.

I went to bed that night happy. I was going to heal in the morning, and everything would be right in the world. I hadn't killed the bastard at the shelter, so that was a plus. I woke up the next morning and had breakfast. Stephan said it was important that I eat a big breakfast before I healed a person. He said I'd thank him for it when it was over. I headed to the hospital. I went to the Quinn Moreau wing and up to the fifth floor. I found him waiting for Amy Wendle. He asked if I had eaten a big breakfast. I told him that Stephan had insisted on it. He laughed. He said that Amy had cancer and cancer always took a lot out of the healer. He was prepared to let me heal her but he'd be there for me when it was over.

She came in alone. I thought that was odd, but I didn't say anything. Marcel introduced me to the washed out looking blonde haired girl with the dull grey eyes. She wore a hospital gown, so I knew that she was a patient here. I put my hands on her chest and looked inside her. It was so easy for me. I found the cancer and used my killing power to eradicate it. Then I used my healing power to coax new cells to grow in its place. I looked and found no other cancer. It seemed that it was quick, but when I let go of her, I saw that the light at the window had changed. I stood up, and she breathed in without coughing for the first time in a year. She thanked me and handed me a check for ten thousand dollars. I handed it back to her and said it had been my pleasure. She thanked me again and then went back to her room.

"Are you all right?" Marcel asked. "You were at it for six hours."

"I feel fine," I said. "I was a little woozy when I stood up, but that passed."

"I'll be damned," he said. "Being an Immortalis has its perks, I guess."

"So it would seem," I said. "I'll heal right along side you. You take the next one, and I'll take the one after that. I'll hire a manager for the shelter. I know just who to hire."

"Okay," he said. "I'll call you with your next appointment. You should really alert the nurse's station. They call me with patients all of the time. They can call you from time to time."

"I hope its more than from time to time," I said, smiling. "It's such a high."

"Yes, it is," he said. "I'm usually wrecked when I heal cancer, but you're fine."

"Yeah," I said. "I'll see you later."

"Okay," he said. "Love you."

"Love you, too," I said and then I left the room.

I made it to my car and thought about the fact that I wasn't wrecked like he would have been if he'd healed that woman. I smiled to myself as I thought about it. I went home and told Stephan that it had been cancer but I was fine. He said he had thought I might be. He said that being an Immortalis had probably saved me the extreme fatigue and hunger. I told him I was hungry, but I wasn't sleepy. He made me something to eat, and I sat and ate it.