Shift

TWENTY-SIX.2

"Goodness, what was that about?"

Luanne was eagerly leaning into Blaze from across the table, pressing a cloth napkin to her lips. "Young love, is it?" she asked as her eyes swept the table knowingly.

"I haven't the slightest idea," Silas admitted, but he glanced after Helio's retreating figure with a frown. "The boy is stressed. He's been interning for Russ Naven; I hope he hasn't been pushing him too hard. His father hasn't said much about the whole deal." He glanced at his son. "Have you heard anything, Blaze?"

"Nope," Blaze lied, shoveling the rest of his prosciutto into his mouth.

"Speaking of Naven..." This time it was one of the men at the table who spoke, an older gentleman with thinning hair. "There were rumors floating around this morning that Naven had the Congregation up all night."

Blaze caught Kayden's glance from behind her glass of water.

"Really?" Silas asked, face furrowing. "For what reason?"

The man shrugged. "Who knows, really? Something about the potion component for today's spell. Double-checking, I believe. Naven seems really concerned that something will go wrong."

"Well hopefully everything's been double-checked enough," Silas said smoothly. "I doubt the Congregation has been handling this casting lightly."

Blaze felt the strongest urge to roll his eyes. Even the rumors put Naven in a positive light. He wondered what his father would say when he found out the real reason the Congregation had been up all night, and how he would react once he knew his son had been involved.

A few minutes later, the team of waiters swapped out their empty plates with brunch items that ranged from sugar-frosted pastries to steaming plates of bacon. There were even two small metal towers: one of finger sandwiches and one with a variety of breads with different jams, butters, and spreads in little dishes at the very top.

Lexi didn't return at all throughout the meal, though Blaze watched as Kayden picked out a few things for her cousin, set them on her plate, and refused the server when he tried to clear them away. Blaze hoped her disappearance meant she was talking things over with Helio; it was either that or she had been swallowed by the ladies' room.

The Congregation was absent for most of the meal as well. However, just as Blaze was finishing what he had decided would be his last cannoli, he saw them enter from a hidden side door adjacent to the string quartet; Blaze had only noticed their arrival because of a choppy measure in whatever classical piece the group had been playing. Carsten entered first with Wheeler, and a moment later, Lira Fallon stepped in with Russ Naven at her side.

"He's a beaut, isn't he?" a voice chimed.

Blaze turned and saw Joseph Beckett standing behind his banquet chair, grinning fondly at the Congregation. Blaze would never have been able to tell that he had been up all night; Joseph seemed much too happy to gripe about exhaustion.

"I almost thought it was the real one," Blaze said. He kept his voice low; he didn't want his father to overhear him from across the table.

Joseph didn't seem to have the same qualm. He laughed loudly. "That's a sign we did a good job, right?" He glanced between him and Kayden. "You two were a wonderful help last night! Don't think we'd be doing this today if you two didn't help out."

"Last night?" Silas Merg perked up, turning away from his conversation with Luanne and her husband. His eyes flicked to Blaze, narrowing slightly, and then up at the boisterous figure of Mr. Beckett. "Volunteering ended a few days ago. What were they up to last night?"