Page 2

"Drew, everybody has people who don't like them." Daniel looked down at her. Hell, he should know. He had more than his share of enemies. "You just be yourself, and if they don't like you, then that's their problem."

She just nodded, but he knew his words hadn't helped. Drew was five, going on six, and even though he'd skipped some of those years himself, he remembered wanting everyone to like him. He sighed, then noticed more butterflies beginning to gather around her.

"Drew, have you told your mom and dad about your magic?" Daniel asked, changing the subject completely. When she ignored him, he frowned. "Drew?"

"No," she whispered, then swept her hand through the air, sending the butterflies fluttering away. "Mommy doesn't want me to do magic."

"She told you that?" Daniel frowned.

She shook her head. "I heard her tell Aunt Kira." Then she shrugged and looked back down at the ground.

Daniel sighed. He knew Mira had prayed Drew wouldn't inherit witchcraft after everything she and Kira had gone through, but she'd never want Drew to hide something this important. "You need to tell them, Drew. Your mom and Aunt Kira can help you. You promised me."

He smiled, remembering the day he'd walked into the kitchen and found Drew messing with Sid. Sid had been making chili and set the salt and pepper on the steel island before turning around to grab something from the refrigerator. Giggling the whole time, Drew used her magic to move them right back where Sid had gotten them from. Sid turned to season the chili only to find the salt and pepper gone. Daniel let it happen a few more times before deciding he'd better stop it. Sid had been about two seconds away from cursing up a storm. He chuckled at the memory. After talking to Drew, he'd discovered she'd been practicing on her own. The fact she'd become so adept at using her magic without anyone teaching her was nothing short of amazing. It also told him just how powerful Drew's magic already was...and how strong it would one day become.

"Will you?" Drew broke into his thoughts.

"Will I what?" Daniel asked. "Tell them?"

She nodded earnestly, her dark hair bouncing into her eyes.

"No," Daniel answered, then almost changed his mind when her face fell and her little chin began to wobble. "But I'll go with you when you tell them."

"Okay." Drew jumped to her feet, grabbed his arm, and started tugging him toward the compound.

"What? Now?" Daniel asked, looking down at her. When she nodded without slowing down, he sighed, then chuckled. Guess his moment of peace had just been hijacked.

As they made their way through the compound, Drew’s tiny hand in his, Daniel felt content in that moment. He always knew Drew would be important to him in some way or another. She gave him a sense of peace and solace that had been missing in his life.

Hearing voices coming from the kitchen, they headed that way and walked inside. Daniel scanned the area to see Mira, Kira, Steve and Becky sitting at the huge table.

“Where in the world have you been?” Mira frowned at Drew. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”

Drew just shrugged, not looking at her mom. Everyone then looked at Daniel.

“Drew has something she wants to tell you,” Daniel announced, then glanced down at Drew who was looking at the floor.

“What is it, Drew Boo?” Steve walked over and knelt down in front of her.

Shifting from one foot to the other, she looked first at Steve and then at Daniel, who just nodded in encouragement.

“I hate school,” she said, looking first at Mira and then back at Steve. “Nobody likes me.”

“Drew, honey,” Mira said, kneeling beside Steve and taking one of Drew’s hands. “Sometimes it takes a little time to make friends.”

“No.” Drew shook her head, a big frown pulling at her face. “Everyone else has friends but me.”

“Is someone being mean to you?” Steve growled, his eyes narrowing.

“Brayden always pulls my hair and takes my colored pencils,” Drew said as if it were the crime of the century.

“He what?” Steve hissed, his eyes narrowing even more. “Drew, what did I tell you to do to bullies?”

“Kick ’em in the willy.” A small grin replaced her frown, clearly finding that advice funny.

“Steve!” Mira scolded, her eyes going wide.

“What?” Steve didn’t even flinch. “No one is going to bully my girl.”