“I’m Meredy,” she said. “Basically, I’m in charge. And that’s Merle. She’s also in charge.”

 Friendly, Jara commented in Shay’s head. Odd.

“Neat.” Shay grinned. “In charge of what?”

Meredy puffed her cheeks. “I’m glad you asked.”

Just then the windchimes banged together and Lonan appeared with a gull feather tucked behind his ear. He broke in between the three of them, hoisting Meredy and Merle up like cats by the scruff. They squealed and clawed at him.

“Alright, you two leave him alone. Can’t you go bother Mistress Davidson?”

“Already did,” Meredy said, and gave an apple-flavored burp to prove it. She squirmed like an eel and slipped out of her overshirt, forcing Lonan to drop her. He juggled Merle while Meredy tackled him at the waist.

Is that how Witches are in this town? Jara wondered, bemused, as Lonan wrestled down the two unruly girls. I knew the Cielos’ history was lost, but I didn’t realize how much. No one would have raised their children beside hespers when I was your age.

–Elyan White, “Lost and Found”