Page 32 of Magical Midlife Rescue (Leveling Up #11)

“The basajaunak…” Austin thought for a moment.

“Their leader, Dave’s mom, is in the convocation, as we mentioned.

She follows my or Jessie’s battle directions and organizes her basajaunak accordingly.

In Dave’s mom’s absence, they answer to Jessie.

The convocation is in segments. Jessie handles the people we have over there.

She and Tristan command the gargoyles and other fliers.

I handle the ground crew, turning certain aspects over to Brochan or my other top personnel.

I oversee the whole to create a cohesive unit while Jessie combats any magic wielders.

Dealing with mages and all these other magical types is a balancing act, one that’s always moving and changing.

We have a unique situation we’re trying to manage, which was why we were able to handle the battle in Kingsley’s territory. ”

“With mage help, right?” Zack asked.

“Our mages…went their own way,” I said with a heavy heart. “For now. It’s part of the reason we need Fred. Nessa is better than us at technology. We had to find her, and soon, we’re going to bring them in. They’re misguided in their thinking, and I’m about out of patience.”

The uncomfortable feeling I’d had regarding their situation coiled in my gut, like I was running out of time. Like something was gravely wrong, and soon it would all blow up.

I shook it off. I’d need to get with Niamh and come up with a plan.

“We need them,” I said, the assurance of that statement ringing in my voice.

“ I need them. I’m not enough to combat Momar.

Not even close. I’m strong, but I’m not experienced.

I don’t know the culture, the rules. I don’t know where to focus my magical learning or even how to test-drive the new, intense, and extremely dangerous spells.

While I also need to find, meet, and unify other mages, like Austin is trying to do with shifters, they are our core group. Without them, we’re vulnerable.”

My heart sped up as I said that, knowing it deep in my bones. Without Sebastian and Nessa, we would fail. Without us, one or both of them would die. I wasn’t a seer, but my gut feeling was so strong, I would never dare question it.

Without thinking, I turned in my chair. “Niamh, you’re not needed here. Take Fred and get back to work. I want to meet to discuss everything later tonight.”

“Sound.” Niamh pushed to standing and gestured for Fred to follow her.

“On it!” Fred called, and followed her out.

Austin twirled a lock of my hair around his fingers, and I turned back to the table at large. “Sorry about that,” I said. “We just have a lot of irons in the fire right now, and we often need to divide and conquer.”

“Thank you for that display of leadership.” Margery clasped her hands in her lap. “I’d wondered how you could possibly control the power you’ve amassed. It seems that when the situation calls for it, you step up.”

“She’s very easygoing,” Austin said, “until she isn’t. It’s how our co-leadership works so well. She lets me handle things most of the time—or Mr. Tom, or another of her people—and steps in when she needs to.”

“And you.” The tall man squinted. “You seem to be easygoing where it concerns her. I never in my life would’ve thought Austin Baraza could share power. You’ve always had potential, but you were so…wild. Unpredictable. No balance whatsoever, and incapable of true leadership.”

“I was a kid,” Austin said, his tone almost bored.

“I was spinning out of control until I finally challenged my brother. It was a dark time in my life, and I caused a dark time for my family. I realize that. I cannot apologize enough for it, and I cannot go back and change it. It scarred me to the point that I never imagined myself stepping into an alpha role. It was Jess who changed my mind. I’d already grown up, but she gave me the courage and stability I needed to reach for my potential.

I’m still reaching. I’m here today because I’m not that spoiled kid anymore.

Because I have changed and continue to evolve.

There’s a need for unity, and I, with Jess’s help, can work toward acquiring it.

Our goal is to provide a safe haven for all magical people from corrupt organizations like the Mages Guild.

From destructive tyrants like Momar. It’s why I established O’Briens in the first place, and why I want to spread that ideology further. ”

He fell silent for a moment. Everyone was still as they took that in.

“However,” he went on, “I am every bit as wild as that kid back in the day. I’m even more powerful now.

More destructive, if I have reason to be.

I made Kingsley’s territory nervous with my fighting prowess.

With my darkness. Do not think, for one minute, that I’m a nice man.

I’m reasonable, and I’m open, and I will do right by my people at all costs, but I’m just as vicious as I always was. ”

I put my hand on his thigh, and he covered it with the hand not braced on my chair.

“I can attest to that,” Kingsley said somberly.

“Just so we’re clear,” I said into the following silence, “I’m no picnic in a battle setting either. I get a bit wild myself. As does my crew. Don’t get me started on the basajaunak.”

“In the battle for my territory, I was glad for it,” Kingsley said. “In the months to come, when Momar regroups and comes for his vengeance, I’ll be relying on it.”

“Austin, Jessie…” Kevin leaned forward. “What is this convocation? What do you have in mind?”