Page 44 of My Pleasure

Meryn shrugged. “This is this and that was that. No matter what shit is going on in Storm Keep, we need the humans to stay ignorant. I’m not going to let our world implode because the witches got greedy.”

“Can you terminate the contracts and delete any evidence they have?” Kendrick asked, walking over to the table.

“I could, but that may prompt action on the humans’ part. I’m simply going to delete any contract offers from the Witches’ Council, so it looks like there’s a shortage of witches available for work. Over time, the less this ‘resource’ is used, hopefully the fewer people who know, then I can delete without fear of retribution.”

“So, why does Thad want a meeting?” Aiden asked.

She grinned. “I’m getting a reward. They like me.”

“You’re easy to like Princess Auntie,” Keran said. “That’s why I told Unky Brennus to let you kill my fake uncle, to keep you happy.”

Meryn smiled at Keran. “Do you like computers?”

Kiera shook her head. “Why does everyone want to recruit my brother?”

“Because he’s a smart cookie,” Meryn answered.

“Me too?” Nicol asked.

Meryn looked to Nicol and her eyes became slightly unfocused. “Buttercups.”

Aiden walked over to stand behind her and began to rub her back. “And?”

“Buttercups and wind. A spring field.” Meryn shook her head. “I think she’ll be an air witch.”

Kendrick stared down at the small woman. “You can guess elemental powers now?”

Meryn shrugged. “You ask me like I know how this shit works.”

Kendrick exhaled loudly through his nostrils, then walked over to Nicol, who hid her face in his dad’s neck.

Hunter went to step forward, but Kendrick waved him off. “Kids love me.” He said it in such a deadpan voice, that when he looked at Nicol and stuck his tongue out, she giggled. “You’re not bad.”

“I try not to be, but sometimes people test the limits of my patience. May I place my hand on your shoulder to see if shortie is right?”

“I’m not a fucking shortie Kendrick!” Meryn exclaimed and threw a roll at him.

He moved his head and dodged the roll. “Technically you are, but I’ll explain that in a moment.”

Her mouth dropped open.

Kendrick waited for Nicol’s response.

She nodded, and he placed his hand on her shoulder. A moment later he turned and glared at Meryn. “Air magic.”

Meryn crossed her arms. “Told you. Now, explain how I’m a shortie.”

Chapter Six

Kendrick eyed Meryn. “You know you are abnormally short right?”

“I am not, y’all are just tall,” she countered.

Kendrick smiled.“First of all, the average height of a human woman in the United States is five-foot-three inches tall. You’re what five-foot-one?”

“I’m five-three… ish,” Meryn protested.

“Right. Let us just say you are five-foot-three. To be considered a ‘short’, you would need to be below five-foot-three inches tall. While height alone isn’t enough to qualify one for being disabled, the medical organization of the Little People of America, define dwarfism as being at or below four-feet-ten inches tall. This is approximately a five-inch difference from what is considered average.”