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I frowned. “AtPolaris?”

He chuckled. “No. I don’t think that will be something you can stomach.”

“Right. Way too much sexuality.” I’d be feeding off that energy like crazy, whether I wanted to or not.

“I’ve been putting together a team within the Guardian Movement. All members are hybrids only. It’s recently been ratified by the Unity Council. Hybrids require a different sort of understanding and approach to their affairs and needs. This team would assist with identifying those, as well as supporting other hybrids throughout the supernatural world in need. I believe you could benefit from being a part of such a team, and that you also have a lot to offer in such an environment. I know you weren’t sure what you wanted to do once you graduate from the Academy, so this would be something to help you decide. While you’re still enrolled this year, your participation would be on a part-time basis, much like an apprenticeship.”

“Wow, that’s a hell of a thing. Thank you for the offer, Warlow. I really appreciate it.”

“Have a good think about it, and get back to me once you’ve settled back into the Academy.”

“I will. Definitely. Thank you.”

“Of course.”

We both jolted in the next moment as bronze light erupted, quickly followed by a flash of yellow, and then Gabriel Morgan and his wife, Calla Coretti, teleported right beside Warlow.

“Jeez,” Warlow exclaimed, slapping the shoulder of Gabriel’s three-piece black and silver suit. “People need a warning before you do that. I thought we discussed this.”

“And when we did, I told you to employ your wolf senses more,” Gabriel said.

“Gabe,” Calla said, shaking her head at him. “Our apologies, Warlow.”

“Thank you.” Warlow eyed Gabriel. “See? That’s what being polite actually is.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes, then scanned the area, while shoving a hand through his thick, white spiky hair. “How’s our granddaughter doing on her big night?”

“She’s doing perfectly well,” Ariana’s voice sounded, a moment before she rushed past me and threw her arms around Warlow, then Gabriel, and Calla, greeting them all happily.

I looked out to see that her parents were headed into the kitchen together. Probably working on her cake or something.

“Such a beauty,” Calla said, looking Ariana over in her dress.

“Right back at you,” Ariana told her, gesturing at her crimson sequin dress that matched her deep-red curls.

“A powerful and accomplished young woman to be proud of,” Gabriel said, smiling out at her. “Sorry we were delayed, but we had to collect your gift.”

“My gift?” Ariana asked, intrigued.

“It’s outside. Come see,” Calla told her excitedly.

“Outside? What is it? A unicorn?” she jested.

“I could conjure one,” Gabriel told her. “But it could only exist temporarily. Violation of nature and all that.”

“Gabe,” Calla admonished him.

Warlow chuckled and told Ariana, “I can’t believe that not long ago you were giggling and riding on my back while I was shifted in wolf form, and now here you are, all grown up.”

“Those are some of my fondest memories, Gramps,” she told him.

“How about spellcasting with me?” Gabriel asked.

“Aww, Grandpa, of course. Right up there.”

“Even the spellcasting at the Academy?” he asked.

Yeah, he was a Professor at Maven Academy. He taughtApex Magic Theory and Practical Application.It was a highly-complicated class. Kai’s favorite. Of-fucking-course.