“He’s trying to see how long he can resist dying,” Siaka says. “Which might come in handy if he and your Champion’s sister manage to make things work for longer than a few weeks at a time.” He winks at me.

I figure he’s talking about Georgia, Kate’s sister, who I’ve heard of but haven’t met. “You already know everyone at La Maison?” I ask.

“I’m Bran’s messenger boy when he’s not in town,” Siaka says.

“Ha! You’re hardly that,” Bran says. “Despite our age difference, we are equals. Both fully-fledged Flame-fingers, the sole holder of our respective family’s gift.”

“Yeah, but you’ve had the job longer than I have.” Siaka nudges his uncle playfully.

“I will grant you that. But you already know so much that by the time you’re my age you will have surpassed my knowledge by far.”

“We’ll see about that, Tonton,” Siaka says.

“You’d better be off, Louis,” Bran says. “I told the kindred I wouldn’t keep you long. Charlotte wanted you to patrol with her. I’ll stop by La Maison tomorrow to see how you’re getting settled.”

“I’ll go with Louis,” Siaka says. “I’ve got a class tonight. And since you just got back, I’m sure you want me out of your hair.”

“I do have some correspondence to catch up on,” Bran admits. “Why don’t you go ahead, and I’ll clean up here.”

That seems to suit Siaka, who takes one look at the mess they’ve made and tells me, “I’ll get my jacket from upstairs and meet you out front.”

He sprints up the stairs, and I hang back to say goodbye to Bran, who is washing the mortar and pestle in an aluminum sink. The hot water sends up a cloud of steam that hovers in the air like an omen. “I’m glad to see that you and Siaka get along,” he says. “The alliance I formed with Gaspard and the others will not only continue but thrive with your generation. I’ll return to Brittany soon to let you get settled without hovering around and smothering you.”

“You don’t have to,” I say. “But I’m honored you trust me.”

“I’m honored I had these five years to work with you.” Suddenly, he looks at me – not in the eyes, but a few inches away from my head, which means he’s studying my aura. “You have a good heart. That’s never been in question. Now, what you do with all of that potential...well, that remains to be seen.”

He means it as a compliment. But I know him well enough by now to catch the slight note of apprehension in his voice.

“What is it?” I ask.