“No…actually, every magic user learns the basics, and once the low-level users learn them, then the lessons stop for them, but continue for the upper levels of magic users.”
“Like the different degrees you can get, hmm?”
Nodding, Remy said, “That’s a good way to describe it. Galen and Eamon are first-level magic users, so they have many years of lessons ahead of them, unlike me, who stopped when I was thirteen.”
“What about Jessica?” asked Jackson.
“Because her magic is old and powerful, she has much to learn.”
Snorting, Jackson said, “That doesn’t bode well for Cody and Dylon since she’s pretty headstrong.”
“Yes, but luckily they have me teaching her,” Remy smirked.
“Lucky for all of us,” Jackson said, turning his attention to the Silver Point Alpha house when he heard the front door swinging open. “I’ll see you later.”
“Good luck,” Remy murmured before disappearing.
“Hey, Jackson,” Smokey said. “Come in…Norm and Theo are waiting for you.”
Walking up the front steps, Jackson paused at the door. “How’s Theo?” he murmured to Smokey.
“Good…better now since he spoke with his parents…oops, forget I said that.”
“Don’t sweat it…Ollie already told me about the call.” Stepping inside, Jackson surveyed the interior of the living room, pausing as the figures painted on the ceiling caught his attention. “Holy shit!” he whispered.
Following Jackson’s gaze, Smokey smirked, “Yeah, I know…freaky, huh?"
“Yeah, it is,” Jackson muttered disgustedly, realizing his uncle had probably spent a shitload of money on a ceiling fresco glorifying himself instead of using it to take care of his pack members. He wondered if his father was aware of Josiah’s actions and, if so, whether he’d have approved of them. Snorting at the thought, Jackson realized he knew the answer. His father would have mocked Josiah endlessly. Shaking images of the past away, he asked, “Where to?”
“They’re waiting in the dining room,” Smokey said, pausing for a moment before he asked, “Is there a problem with Theo’s parents? Ollie said Ian was waiting for some test results…?”
“No, they’re fine.”
“Thank fucking gods,” Smokey muttered under his breath as he headed to his mates.
Following behind, Jackson silently agreed with Smokey’s sentiment, but whether the grizzly bear would feel the same wayonce the purpose of his visit became known was anyone’s guess. Entering the dining room, he glanced around the grandiose space before his eyes landed on Norman and Theo, revealing the worry in their faces. “Hey guys,” Jackson said, sitting down opposite them. “This place has certainly changed since the last time I was here.”
Glancing quickly around, Norm said, “Hopefully not for the better.”
Chuckling, Jackson said, “Nope…back when we were young, it was more kid-friendly. Now, it feels like you have to be in a tuxedo before you can sit down to dinner.”
Theo giggled. “The rest of the house is that way too. When Tristan gave us a tour, he said it was much worse—crammed with gold doodads everywhere.”
“Doodads?” Jackson asked, raising an eyebrow.
“That’s what he called them,” Theo said. “Though I’m not really sure what he meant.”
“That’s okay…don’t need to have that image etched in my mind,” Jackson said, shaking his head. “The way the house is now is bad enough.”
Losing whatever patience he had since learning Jackson wanted to speak to his mates, Smokey asked, “Why are you here?”
Jackson glanced at Smokey before turning to Theo. “I spoke with your parents, and I’m convinced they didn’t send you to Arald’s.”
“Was it my parents?” asked Norm.
“I don’t believe they had anything to do with it either,” Jackson replied.
“Then who did?” growled Smokey.