Marjoram nodded. "Yes darling." She rose with Ellie before smiling at Sebastian who stood just behind the prince. "My compliments to the chef. That has to be one of the most delicious meals I've had in a long time."
Sebastian gave a half bow. "Quite the compliment, especially coming from such an accomplished lady."
Together, the three of them said their goodnights. Grant carried their two suitcases, which had been brought down to Level One. To their surprise, two escorts waited for them.
"Adriel?" Grant asked one of the warriors.
"Yes, he called ahead while you grabbed their things," the first man replied. He smiled at her. "I'm Keegan Basswood, Iota's witch, and that's Hawthorne Ivystone, the witch for the Lamda Unit." The other witch waved hello in a friendly manner.
"Level Six, right?" Hawthorne asked.
"Yes, although Grant and I will need to come back down here after we get everything settled. Then back up to Level Six again at midnight to give the children their medicine," Ellie answered.
Hawthorne shrugged. "I don't have anything going on; I'll wait."
Keegan held out an arm to her and Marjoram. "It's never a hardship to help such beautiful women."
Hawthorne took a suitcase from Grant and held out an arm to him. After stopping by the Unit Level for Grant to pack a small bag, the two witches escorted them back up to Level Six. There wasn't much debate about which house to choose. Both Ellie and Grant wanted the first empty one available on the small road. They would be that much closer to the children.
Grant carried her suitcase and his overnight bag to the master suite, and Hawthorne carried Marjoram's suitcase to the room down the hall. Marjoram yawned. "Don't be too long in the lab. You need to rest after doing so much today."
"I won't be," Ellie promised.
"See you at midnight." Marjoram kissed her cheek.
Grant carried a small cloth bag with him as they walked back to the tunnel with Hawthorne. The witch easily floated them back down to Level One.
"I don't have patrol tomorrow, so I'll be back at midnight to take you back up," he offered.
Grant clapped him on the back. "You have my thanks."
Hawthorne grinned. "We know how much you hate dealing with tunnel escorts. I'm surprised you haven't killed one by now."
"Me too," he agreed.
By the time Broderick had added her and Grant's hand print to the biometric lock, she was already feeling the toll the long day was having on her body.
Grant watched her carefully. "The third time you rub your eyes, I'm taking you back upstairs, midnight or not."
"That's fair," she conceded. She donned a lab coat and began pulling out a few of the blood samples. Cracking her knuckles, she turned on the microscope and got to work.
She was so used to working in her lab alone she was surprised Grant's presence didn't bother her. In fact, he was sit
ting so quietly she had forgotten he was in the room.
When she turned to see what he was doing, she was shocked to see that the entire time she had been working, he had been silently knitting.
"Are you knitting?" she asked, even though it was clear as crystal that he was.
He looked up, and his eyes became slightly guarded. "Yes, does that bother you?"
"No. Why would it?"
"You don't think I'm...soft?"
"No. But even if you were, how is that a bad thing? I love that you have such a productive hobby. I always wanted to learn how to knit, but I get turned around or forget which stitch I'm on."
"It helps me focus, and it calms my wolf. He's a bit anxious."