All Novel Full Chapter 81 - Pups
Sam, Jack, and the rest of the young kids slowly emerged from the woods, and August released her mate from her arms, turning to the group that appeared. The kids were panting, and Sam told them to run and get a drink while he and Jack moved to Graeme and August's side.
"Did something happen?" Sam asked, assessing Graeme's still slightly rigid stance.
After Graeme had relayed the details of the accident, Jack seemed to have visibly paled while Sam had the same relaxed stance as always.
"I am sorry, August," Sam said. "Lily is going through some things. Her sister ran away several weeks ago. I don't mean that as an excuse," he turned to Graeme with the last sentence. August felt Graeme nod stiffly.
"Oh no. That must be awful for her. How old is her sister?" August asked, curious now about the energy that she had sensed around Lily. Something traumatic like her sister missing would definitely explain the pain that had seen surrounding her.
"Her sister is only ten," Sam answered, shifting his eyes to the wild garden where the pups were getting their water.
It was an aching they all felt. Lily's bruised energy suddenly throbbed again behind August's eyes, and a deep ache coursed through her—her knees turning weak under the unexpected weight of it. Graeme's arm around August's waist steadied her, and once again he was looking down at her with worry. Sam and Jack hadn't noticed, as they were calling the pups back over, and August shook her head dismissively, finding her feet again.
"This is August," Mel introduced after the kids had gathered around and settled. "She is an artist," a smile spread through her features as she emphasized the last word. "Do you want to tell them about what you do, Miss August?" Mel directed her smile in August's direction.
"Hi everyone! It's so nice to meet you all," she stood in front of them with her hands clasped together, feeling her heart suddenly swell at the innocence she saw reflected in those young faces. "I am a photographer, but I love all different kinds of art. Drawing, painting, graphic design… the greatest part is that so much of it is an experiment. Just trying out the fun, messy things to see what happens."
"What's the point of that?" a young boy snickered. He had short brown hair and brown eyes that were so light they appeared yellow. August noticed several red scrapes on his arms and face from the training they had just done.
"Isaac—" Mel scolded from the side.
"No, that's a great question. Isaac?" The boy raised his eyebrows in assent to his name. "Have you ever had a feeling or maybe an idea that you couldn't put into words?" The boy shrugged. "Art is a way to give those feelings and ideas a different kind of shape. It's powerful. The ways you can shape those ideas in art is really endless. And once you start…" August trailed off for a moment, "Well, it's almost like magic. The creation takes on a life of its own. You might just be surprised once you set out."
Isaac rolled his eyes. "A witch would know," he mumbled under his breath, but August didn't hear him. All the other adults around her tensed, though, and the children's eyes grew wider.
August continued. "Sometimes, we just want to create something… beyond ourselves. No matter how strong we are, our bodies can't always contain everything we have in here," she placed a hand on her chest. "It is in us to want to share, to create. That creation helps us, and it helps others who might feel the same way." A dozen wide eyes looked up at her, including those belonging to Lily. When August met her gaze, Lily quickly looked away.
"Thank you, Miss August," Mel said. "If any of you are interested in working with Miss August in the kind of creation she is describing, she will be available as a new teacher. Isn't that wonderful? Just let me know or have your parents let me know, and we will arrange a way for you to do some exciting art with her. Okay?"
"Okay, Mel," the kids replied and nodded, many of them breaking out into smiles now.
"Great, training is over today. See you Monday," Sam added, and the crowd of pups dispersed with yips and excited voices.
"Thanks again, August," Mel gave August a kind smile before following the kids toward the front of the house where some of their parents were waiting. August turned to Graeme and shrugged shyly. She caught a fierce glint in his eyes that dissipated with her gaze.
"I was thinking, since you're busy at the council now…" Sam started from behind them, and they turned to face him, "August could pair pup lessons with training days like today." Sam didn't have to explain the thought process behind the suggestion. If she did art on training days, Sam would be around when Graeme wasn't.
August felt Graeme silently considering it. What if a close call like what happened today were to happen in the future? Sam was nowhere near August when Lily had attacked. And that little bastard who called her a witch… "We could make sure Greta had an open schedule during that time as well," Sam added, reading the silence. Graeme still didn't respond.
"Thanks, Sam," August smiled. He nodded, his sunset hair sweeping his shoulders, and he and Jack gave another nod to Graeme before walking past them to where the kids had disappeared in the front of the house.
"This was a bad idea. I'm quitting the council and never letting you out of my sight again," Graeme said so suddenly that August sputtered a laugh.
"What? You can't be serious," August replied. But there was no humor in Graeme's expression. She sighed. "Ugh, that's crazy talk, and you know it.." Tension rippled through him, and August quickly realized that as crazy as it sounded, Graeme was completely serious.