Ruzi started making breakfast for his parents. He liked the sound of that. He finally had two parents. It had been so long since he’s seen his mom he’d almost given up hope. “Dad, we are bringing Mom to Tricon, aren’t we?” He asked. “I invited her,” Thailyn said as he cleared his papers from the table. He’d have to set up a new office. He had been using the room that was now Pisha’s bedroom. He’d given it up so she could be close to everything. If he was going to be sleeping in her room, perhaps he could turn his own bedroom into an office. “She’s worried about her lack of mobility.” “If Dad and Lamdi can’t fix you up enough, I can transport you around. I have better aim than Ann,” Ruzi offered. “That would be too much.” “I’m an Augmenter. I recover fast.” Pisha frowned. “Why do you keep saying that?” Ruzi shrugged. “Because I am.” “But…” “They aren’t hiding anymore,” Thailyn explained. “The immortals that were after the Augmenters were either killed or arrested and taken to Ertonia. “That’s why Morina and Chapado are here. Morina is an Ertonian guard. She was the nurse for the couple I bought this place from. She was undercover, watching the palace and the home when the immortals attacked the palace. She’s here to arrest any other immortals causing trouble. “Chapado is helping Nim and Andy train Augmenters at the college so that other mages can’t abuse them.” “Mom, I’m finally me. I don’t have to hide what I am or what I can do. I have parents. I go to school. I have friends.” “And a girl.” Pisha smiled, teasingly. Ruzi shook his head. “Lamdi and I are friends. She’s only thirteen.” “Give her a few years,” Pisha agreed. Ruzi rolled his eyes. “Mom.” “I’m playing.” She ruffled his hair. “We need to get this done properly.” She finger-combed his hair back behind his ears. He pulled away. “Mom, don’t. I like my hair.” He pulled his hair back over his ears. Pisha frowned, and looked unsure. “Sorry. I just like my ears covered,” he said. “I’m sorry. I cut them. I shouldn’t have done that.” “It’s okay. I understand why you did. It’s just that they’re lopsided.” “That’s because you wouldn’t hold still.” “It hurt.” “I know. I’m sorry.” “You were trying to keep me safe, and you did. Don’t worry about it. Like I said, I’m good.” “Always looking on the positive.” Pisha smiled and hugged him.