Lou groaned and pushed him away. “You been talking to Van?”

“I told him.” A young woman stepped around them, greeting me with a smile. Juliet, Van’s sister, had golden hair that was pulled back into a ponytail and a spray of freckles over delicate features. Her daughter, Savannah, was balanced on her hip. A blue butterfly barrette held back Savannah’s brown hair, framing big, dark blue eyes that were definitely judging me.

Lou tickled Savannah’s chin. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”

Savannah hurled herself into the guy’s arms. He released Lou, swinging Savannah onto his hip without thinking. “I’ve been trying to convince Jules to let us watch Savvy for her on dinner nights.”

Juliet huffed. “I don’t want to impose—”

The guy rolled his eyes. “Yeah, because clearly it’s a hardship.” He curled Savannah more firmly to his side and she threw her chubby arms around his neck. He held a hand out to me and I shook it, glad he didn’t do that weird dominance thing some men do where they tried to crush all the bones in your hand. “I’m Bay, Lou’s brother.”

Lou’s mom shooed them away, stopping to squeeze my shoulder. “Welcome to family dinner night. A bit overwhelming at first, but you’ll get used to it. I’m Jory, by the way.” She herded me in the door.

“Oh, I wasn’t—”

She leaned in close to me. “Do yourself a favor, Declan, and come to dinner.”

I was ushered through the house and into the backyard before I could argue. Lou reappeared from somewhere and detached Jory from me.

Lou rolled her eyes, but her grin was good-natured. “Mom, stop.” She quickly maneuvered me off to the side and dropped her voice. “You’re invited and welcome to stay, of course, but don’t let them bully you with their aggressive hospitality.” Lou rested her hands on her hips and blew out a breath. “There are at least four more animal mages here and you don’t know anyone, so I’d understand if you want to bolt.”

I glanced around at the crowd. Someone had set up several large picnic tables, complete with tablecloths, silverware, and mason jars full of wildflowers. Big, brightly colored lanterns were strung from the trees. There were two grills, one manned by a robust, middle-aged blond man grilling salmon. An older woman, her black hair shot through with silver, handled the other one, deftly sliding skewers of pork onto the grill. Everything smelled amazing.

I wanted to stay. I hadn’t been to a party like this in a long time. The weather was perfect, the people were friendly, and my mouth was already watering at the scents wafting off the grills. “Can you point them out so I’m not surprised?”

Lou stood on her tiptoes and scanned the crowd, pointing several people out. “Mama Ami of course, her husband at the grill, Papa Bjorn. He’s one.” She frowned. “Both their daughters, though I only see Astrid…” She brightened. “Oh, there she is, and the taller one next to her is Tova.” She motioned to two young women carrying platters of food out to one of the tables. “And one of Mama Ami’s sisters, but I’m not sure she’s here tonight. If I see her, I’ll let you know.” She turned back to me. “But if you want to go, I’ll make excuses for you. No problem.”