Kendrick's fierce glare softened. "Didn't think you did. Also, I'm going to get Aiden to pull rank and get you both assigned as my assistants. I'm going to need your magic to keep the plates charged."
The twins beamed. "Yes!" The bumped forearms then turned back to Kendrick. "We won't let you down," they promised.
Grant chuckled. "Poor Travis and Leif were looking forward to training you two."
Nigel grinned. "They can have us after this virus is taken care of."
Neil frowned. "If Meryn doesn't need us first."
Nigel nodded. "Yeah, unless Meryn needs us."
Kendrick looked from one twin to the other. "Why Meryn?"
Neil straightened, looking pleased. "She adopted us. We're her brothers now," he announced proudly.
Ellie expected Kendrick to smile at the news, but instead, he frowned. "What?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Nothing, well, nothing I can say for sure. It just means I will have to keep a closer eye on our Menace."
"Ryuu does that," Neil commented.
Kendrick's expression eased. "Very true, young Morninglory. Very true. All right brats, let's get these plates charged."
Nigel and Neil stepped forward eagerly, their faces alight with excitement. The moment they each touched a plate, it blazed with light. Ellie, Anne, and Rheia had to turn away while Grant shielded his eyes. When the plates dimmed to a soft glow, Kendrick was blinking repeatedly. "Well done, boys."
Ellie shook her head to clear away the floating circular images that filled her vision.
Grant steered Ellie, Rheia, and Anne toward the door. "I'm taking the ladies for tea. Did you need us for this?"
Kendrick waved them off. "No, we'll be done here soon."
"Good, we have a one last unit project to do with Aiden
before we're assigned to you," Nigel added.
Kendrick examined the plates, smiling. "That's fair. But after that, you're to report to me."
"Yes, sir!" they practically shouted.
Grant led them out of the lab and let the door close behind them. He looked down at Ellie. "Don't let him accidentally zap you or anything if I'm not with you in the lab."
Ellie smiled at her mate. "I'm sure he wouldn't mean it."
Anne nodded. "He wouldn't," she affirmed.
Rheia patted her belly. "Tea and some of that Magic Pudding Meryn keeps raving about sounds good about now."
The sound of something breaking followed by the twins apologizing effusively had them hurrying away from the door. "Good idea," Ellie agreed.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
"My eyes are still blurry from those plates," Ellie complained as she sat down. She breathed in the calming scent of the brewing tea as her vision slowly cleared.
"I'm glad you could join us," Elizabeth said smiling. "Meryn and I were just discussing her maternal instincts."
"As in, I don't have any," Meryn added.
Ellie sat back as Sebastian poured her a cup of Earl Grey. She turned to the small human. "Of course you do, Meryn. And even though you didn't know me very well, you defended me against the tunnel escort. I think you have a nurturing and protective nature."