“So?”

I leaned over to glance at the notebook sitting on the coffee table in front of my uncle Gideon, completely ignoring the bid he was throwing in my direction. “Are those new haikus? I’d love to hear them.”

“Brynn, I don’t think you came up here to listen to my haikus.”

“You don’t know that,” I said, straightening in my chair. “I love your haikus. Seriously, read them to me.”

He looked at me skeptically. “I’m not sure now is the appropriate time.”

“I could use the distraction.”

He eyed me a moment longer, then reached for the notebook, adjusting his glasses on his nose. “They’re still a bit rough, and I’m not sure I’ve weeded out all the extra syllables.”

“Just read.”

“Well, if you insist.” He adjusted his weight in the leather armchair. “Long year winding down, colors blaze then turn to ashes, woodpiles awaken.”

“That’s really lovely, Gideon,” I said, stealing a glance at my watch.

“Oh? Did you like that?”

“I did.” The last bit of light was draining from the sky. It would be time soon. “What else do you have?”

He cleared his throat. “When does fall’s promise, slip from light into shadow, shortening the days?”

“Beautiful. Keep going.”

“This is one of my favorites. I have tasted fall, it is a warm cup of tea, too quickly it cools.”

“Love it.”

“Which part did you like? Was it the coffee?”

“Yes,” I mumbled, chewing the side of my thumbnail. My aunts would be calling me any second. “Definitely the coffee. I love coffee.”

He tossed the notebook onto the table and folded his arms across his chest.

“Tea! I mean the tea! Oh no, I’m so sorry, Gideon.” I slumped back in my chair. “It’s not the haikus. They really are beautiful. I must be too distracted by everything to truly appreciate them.”

He pulled his glasses off to get a better look at me. “Brynn, you know I have to ask.”

I shook my head quickly. “You don’t have to. There isn’t a law or anything.”

He chuckled and directed his gaze over to the open window in the large exposed brick wall, probably awaiting Dog’s return.

I pulled the throw I had around my shoulders more tightly to me. “Besides, I think you already know the answer.”

He looked back at me with a gentle smile. “I suppose I do. I guess that was just my inelegant way of bringing up the topic.”

Inelegant was not a word I would use to describe my uncle. He didn’t spend a lot of time or attention on his appearance, given he never left the attic, but there was something about his manner that was always very elegant. And kind. And sweet.

“Well, in answer to your question. No, I have not tried.” I took a deep breath, waiting for the question we both knew was coming next.

“Are you planning to?”

“There’s no point.”

All the witches in the Warren family had different affinities. It didn’t mean they couldn’t do magic outside of their talent, but it was a little like being a specialist in a particular area.