Chapter 370

SHAWN

Lunch was possibly the most chaotic meal I'd ever experienced, and I'd eaten with traveling merchants who juggled knives for entertainment.

The dining table was packed. Xenois sat at the head with Lumina beside him, looking exhausted but content. Zade and Lyn were there, engaged in what appeared to be an ongoing debate about magical theory. Lynn was arguing with Rivers about something medical. Carol was trying to coordinate food distribution while Marcus and Thorne discussed security rotations.

And the kids—god, the kids were everywhere. Ollie was explaining to anyone who would listen about the "super cool forest fire" he'd witnessed. Riley was taking notes on his...