The air pulsed with energy. Strands of hair lifted off my shoulders and began to float. I glanced around the table and saw everyone else was in a similar situation. I scowled. But then Tenn marched into the room grumbling and growling to no one about how he wanted to stay down there next to Tegan. I knew the moment he smelled the fried chicken because he stopped short. His eyes narrowed on the kitchen, then he sniffed the air.

Everyone else at the table pointed to Tenn’s seat at the far end with a pile of chicken waiting for him. And only for him.

Tenn shrugged. “A few minutes will be fine I guess.”

Everyone chuckled as he took his seat and eyed his mountain of food. The glass of tea was his first move, surprisingly. We all were so starving we watched in envy as he shoved a chicken tender in his mouth and did a little happy dance. We lived vicariously through him as he ate at least five pieces in about ninety seconds. My stomach growled. No one seemed upset that he’d been fed first, and I wasn’t any different. As our Coven Leader he was under immense amounts of stress, but also . . . when you were the one destined to kill Lilith and save the world, you kind of deserved special treatment. That was a lot of pressure to live with. I just loved watching the way they all adored him silently. Discreetly. As if they knew he’d be spooked if they did so out loud. But it was there, in their actions. Especially the little ones like this.

It really made me understand all those conversations my friends in Tampa had about him.

“Oh shit.”

Everyone jumped and turned toward the kitchen.

“Tegan usually flies all the food in for me.” Emersyn giggled. “Kessler, wanna give me a hand?”

“You got it, kiddo.” Kessler hurried into the kitchen only to come right back out carrying two massive trays stacked with chicken. Kessler grinned as he sat them on the table and then leaned into the kitchen to grab the third tray. “Feast time, y’all.”

I waited for Emersyn to come join us, but she didn’t. “Does she do all the cooking?”

Hunter nodded. “Lately, yes. It’s her happy place. She gets that from me. I need to get back in there and help her though.” His face fell, those golden eyes darkening.

Kessler reached out and squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “We’re all coping the way we know how.”

At that, Tenn’s eyes glazed over.

I leaned across and put my hand on his forearm, waiting for him to register my touch. It took alarmingly long. The Tenn I knew would’ve felt it before I even got my hand on him. When his gaze finally looked to me, I smiled. “How is she?”