Heir to the Shadows

the human riding in it doesn't know he's responsible for getting his half over," Jaenelle murmured. She shook out the folds of her sapphire skirt and
    straightened the matching jacket, too busy to look him in the eye.
    Which was just as well.
    Jaenelle looked up at the manor house and sighed. "I hope the new tenants will give this place the love it deserves. Oh, I know Duana's busy and prefers living in her country house near Tuathal, but this land needs to be sung awake. The gardens here could be so lovely."
    Acknowledging Lucivar's pleased smile, Saetan pulled a flat, rectangular box out of his pocket and handed it to Jaenelle. "Happy birthday, witch-child. From the whole family."
    Jaenelle accepted the box but didn't open it. "If it's from the whole family, shouldn't I wait until we're back home to open it?"
    Saetan shook his head. "We agreed you should open that here."
    Jaenelle opened the box and frowned at the large brass key.
    Letting out an exasperated growl, Lucivar turned her around until she was facing the front of the house. "It fits the front door."
    Jaenelle's eyes widened. "Mine?" She looked at the front door, then at the key, then back to the front door. "Mine?"
    "Well, the family purchased a ten-year lease on the house and land," Saetan replied, smiling. "Duaria said that, short of tearing the house down, you could do whatever you wanted with the place."
    Jaenelle gave both of them a choke-hold hug and raced to the door. It flew open before she reached it.
    "SURPRISE!"
    Smiling at her stunned expression, Saetan pushed her into the house at the same time Khary and Morghann pulled her forward into the crowd.
    His throat tightened as he watched Jaenelle being passed from friend to friend for a birthday hug. Astar and Sceron, from Centauran. Zylona and Jonah, from Pandar. Grezande and Elan, from Tigrelan. Little Katrine, from Philarf. Gabrielle and Chaosti, from Dea al Mon. Karla and Morton, from Glacia. Morghann and Khary, from Scelt. Sabrina
    and Aaron, from Dharo. Kalush, from Nharkhava. Ladvarian and Kaelas. Had the Shadow Realm ever seen a gathering such as this?
    The years when the coven and the male circle had gathered at the Hall had passed so swiftly, and the youngsters were no longer children to be cared for, but adults to be met on equal ground. All the boys had made the Offering to the Darkness, and all of them wore dark Jewels. If the strong friendship between Khary, Aaron, and Chaosti survived the demands of young adulthood and serving in different courts, they would be a formidable, influential triangle of strength in the coming years. And the girls were almost ready to make the Offering. When they did ... ah, the power!
    And then there was Jaenelle. What would become of the lovely, gifted daughter of his soul when she made the Offering?
    He tried to shake off his mood before she felt it. But today was a bittersweet day for him, which was why the family had celebrated her birthday—together, privately—a couple of days ago.
    A roll of thunder silenced the chatter.
    "There now," Karla said with a wicked smile. "Let Uncle Saetan give Jaenelle the grand tour while we finish setting out the food. This might be the only chance we'll get to play in the kitchen."
    The girls scampered off to the back of the house.
    "I think we'd better help them," Khary said, leading the young men, who hustled off to save the house and edibles.
    Lucivar promised to be back, muttering something about unhitching Daffodil before the horse tried to do it himself.
    "Duana said that any furniture you don't want to use can be tucked in the attics," Saetan said after he and Jaenelle explored downstairs.
    Jaenelle nodded absently as they headed upstairs. "I've seen some grand pieces that would be perfect for this place. There was a—" Open-mouthed, she stood in the bedroom doorway and stared at the canopied bed, dresser, tables, and chests.
    "The horde downstairs bought this for you. I gather you
    had admired something similar often enough that they figured you would like it."
    Jaenelle stepped into the room and ran her hand over the dresser's silky maple wood. "It's wonderful. All of it's wonderful. But, why?"
    Saetan swallowed hard. "You're twenty years old today."
    Jaenelle raised her right hand and fluffed her hair. "I know that."
    "My legal guardianship ends today."
    They stared at each other for a long moment.
    "What does that mean?" she asked quietly.
    "Exactly that. My legal guardianship ends today." He saw her