Splintered

Chapter Three: Cake, Candles, and Complications

Toasted chocolate and vanilla merged as they perfumed the entire home. Despite the darkening skies outside, the house was warm and comfortable.

"It's almost ready, everyone," Fern's voice mingled with the mouthwatering aroma.

As Hazel made her way down the grand stairway, Oren, Leo, Sage, and the twins gathered. An unusual-looking cake rested on the table before them. One half was a pale yellow, while the other was a deep chocolatey brown. Hazel nearly laughed at her mother's efforts to accommodate the polar-like tastes of the twins. Despite what should have been a celebratory occasion, there was a thickened strain in the air that had nothing to do with the heat from the fire or the scent of the sweet dessert.

As Hazel reached the last step, she realized someone was missing, "Rowan hasn't come home yet?"

Oren shifted rigidly as Fern waved her hand, "I'm sure he's on his way."

Hazel met Leo's eyes for a moment as a grimace crossed his lips. He was standing, arms crossed at the edge of the room, keeping watch. Hazel sidled up to him as Oren gathered candles and a couple of matches while Fern layered white and brown frosting over the cake.

He leaned in as she approached, "I can send Bellona to search for him?"

Hazel glanced at the softly ticking kitchen clock. It was nearly time for their shift change. "Doesn't she take over for you at any minute?"

Leo shrugged, "I don't mind a little overtime." A hint of a smile twitched at the edge of his lips as he shot a look at the cake.

"Cake might help you get rid of that aftertaste." Hazel couldn't help but smile at his shudder. She shot a look out at the growing darkness and sighed, "Let's give Rowan a few more minutes."

"I'm not waiting," Linden said as he scooted closer to the table until his nose was practically grazing the icing.

Lily nudged him, "Don't be greedy."

"It's my birthday. I can be greedy if I want." Linden replied, nudging her back

"Our birthday." Lily corrected a hand on her hip.

Linden glowered. "You wait for him then."

"Hold on," Fern commanded as she finished delicately laying out twelve candles around the cake's border. "Let's open presents first."

Linden grumbled while Lily brightened at the idea. Oren smiled and gently wrapped a hand around Linden's shoulder, advising him about the virtues of patience.

As if on cue, the French front doors burst open, Rowan striding through, cradling two sizeable packages. One was wrapped in bright purple, the other in deep gray.

"Ro, you made it!" Sage exclaimed with a wide grin. "Linden was going to eat all the cake without you."

"That's not true," Linden replied.

"Where have you been?" Oren's tone was low, worry evident despite his attempts to mask it.

Rowan shrugged, shaking the packages in his arms, "Present shopping, of course."

Oren pursed his lips and shared an apprehensive look with Fern as Rowan set the gifts before Linden and Lily. It proved to be an effective distraction from the cake. Linden tapped the edges of his gift while Lily ran her fingers over the glossy purple wrapping over hers.

"Trying to take the position as favorite, I see," Hazel teased.

"Not sure I can compete; you got them a new house," Rowan whispered as he gestured to the grand home around them.