“Are Alysha and Graham still in bed?” Mug in one hand, Auntie Gwen checked her watch. “It’s almost nine and we need to start finding houses for sale around the park. If enough of the family is moving west, we’ll need charms in place early to keep the situation under control and out of the papers.”

“I thought Auntie Jane wanted us to wait until after the ritual?”

“The ritual . . .” Aunt Gwen frowned at the rain on the window for a moment. “While I agree that we need to make every attempt to ensure the family’s survival, I have no idea what Jane thinks the ritual will do.”

“Beyond what the ritual always does?” Charlie asked flippantly.

The look Auntie Gwen shot her almost made her regret her tone. “Yes, Charlotte. Beyond what ritual always does. However, and regardless of what Jane chooses to believe, this is no longer a world where we can do as we like, removing inconveniences after the fact.” The edge on her voice made it clear she’d neither forgiven nor forgotten Auntie Jane slapping her down and there would be consequences in due time. “If we want to move a significant portion of the family to Calgary for safety, we need to deal with the Calgary real estate market and that requires Alysha’s input.”

As Charlie understood it, the Calgary real estate market could give an extinction event a run for its money in the holy fucking hell stress department. Four aunties weren’t nearly enough to control it. “I’ll go wake Allie.”

“And Graham. He has a useful outsider’s perspective.” Auntie Gwen took a swallow of coffee and blinked. “Did you make this, Jack?”

“No, Charlie did.”

“Really? Because it tastes like the sort of coffee people who breathe fire would drink.”

Halfway to the bedroom, Charlie turned and walked backward. “I like it strong, Auntie Gwen.”

“There’s a difference between strong and abusive, sweetie.”

About to suggest she pour it back into the carafe if it was so terrible, Charlie’s back bounced off a firm barrier. Strong hands grabbed her arms and steadied her.

“Gwen.” Graham sounded more resigned than thrilled to find an auntie in his kitchen on a Monday morning.

“Graham.” Auntie Gwen on the other hand sounded positively perky. And she was smiling. Charlie felt Graham shudder.

“Allie’ll be right out.” He moved Charlie away from his chest. “I’m going to go check on the boys. Jack . . .”

“More coffee. On it.”

Graham moved away and Jack got the bigger coffeepot off the top of the refrigerator. Charlie watched Auntie Gwen drink coffee she didn’t like, brows drawn in, both hands wrapped around the mug, dark eyes shadowed, and had a terrible feeling she had real estate listings in her future. As though an asteroid and the whole mess with Jack wasn’t enough.

By noon they’d been contacted by three second circle couples and Auntie Mary had emailed the names of four more third circle boys and their lists.