Shifting Read Online Free PDF Page B

get up. Jae’s practicing magic.”
    “K, gotta get dressed,” she mumbled, hurrying to make herself presentable. As she departed the bedroom, a door opened beside her. A handsome, dark haired young man dressed in a sport coat bounced out, surprised to see her.
    “You must be Meghan,” he said dryly.
    “Yes, I am.” Before she could say more, he raced down the stairs. She followed him, recalling their first encounter back in Cobbscott. She wondered again, Is it really possible to know you hate someone, so instantaneously? Ivan Crane ran out the back door, yelling hello and goodbye.
    Irving Mochrie had returned home late the night before and was sitting in the back yard, clearly impressed with the boy.
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    “Look at that, already off to work. Never an idle moment, that one!” Off to the side, Jae balanced many items stacked atop each other; his hand balanced the items, but did not touch them. Irving Mochrie, still heavily bandaged, noticed Meghan arrive.
    “Good morning. It is nice to meet you, properly, although I wish it were under different circumstances,” he added.
    “I can’t believe you’re home already, after what those Scratchers did to you!” said Meghan.
    “Yes, that was some ugly business. But the wounds will heal! We all have a price to pay for this lifestyle we lead. I’ve already spoken with your brother, but I must thank you personally for your assistance, and, I am deeply sorry about your uncle. He would be proud of your bravery, I am sure!”
    “Thanks,” she said, growing agitated that so many believed her uncle to be dead.
    “Pay attention, Jae.” Irving then scolded harshly. “You’ve got a month’s worth of work to catch up on.” Jae looked tired. Meghan wondered if he’d slept at all, and had a twinge of guilt for having such a restful night. Colin watched Jae intently. Irving shifted in his chair, wincing as Sheila Mochrie joined them.
    “Can you believe Ivan, Sheila? Off to work again, already.”
    Jae lost his concentration and the stack of items plummeted to the ground. Irving glanced in Jae’s direction, huffing.
    “Keep trying. Always keep trying, Jae.”
    “Yes, Dad.” He began picking up the items to try again.
    Irving went back to his conversation with Sheila. Meghan grabbed a meat pie that Sheila had stacked in front of her, trying not to listen, but could not help it.
    “Not nice, Sis,” Colin sent.
    “They’re not exactly keeping it down,” she shot back.
    “We cannot judge the Banon,” Irving said. “Has she ever led us astray?”
    “No, she hasn’t. I was wrong to even think it!” Sheila disappeared into the cottage, followed by Irving a moment later.
    “What was that about?” wondered Colin.
    “It’s okay to listen in on other’s conversations now is it?”
    “I got curious,” he shrugged. The twins twitched uncomfortably, believing they were not as welcomed into the Mochrie house as they had been led to believe. Maybe they should take up Billie’s offer and move in with her. Meghan got up the courage to ask.
    “Jae. It’s not a problem is it, us staying with your family?”
    “Problem? No. People are just a little slow to warm up to strangers is all. It’ll take some time, but they’ll come around.”
    He wasn’t as reassuring as the twins had hoped.
    “What’s there to do around here?” Meghan then asked. Jae finished cleaning up his mess before answering.
    “There’s always Grimble, otherwise, not much. I should warn you that tomorrow I’ll be back in school. I haven’t heard any word as to what they’re going to have the two of you doing.” Meghan frowned. The way he said it was as if they needed to be kept busy.
    “There’s school in the summer here?” she questioned, distraught at the thought.
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    “School is sort of always in session around here.”
    “How awful,” she replied.
    “She hates school, or learning, period,” Colin explained.
    “Is Ivan still in school?” she asked.
    “No, Ivan graduated when he