Doppelganger Blood by Bonnie Lamer

his education.
    “So, lots of wars and few laws?” I ask.
    He nods.  “That about sums it up.”  Looking back at Tabitha, he asks, “What are you suggesting?”
    Rubbing her hands on her apron in a rare show of nerves, she says, “I believe you should accompany him while Xandra and Adriel travel to the Cowan realm.”
    My heart clutches.  Go without Kallen?  The expression on his face confirms his own discomfort at the idea.  But, are we just being selfish?  If Kegan’s safety is going to be at risk, Kallen is the best backup he can have.  Coming to the same conclusion, Kallen raises an eyebrow in question.  With the slightest nod of my head, I agree.  It’s not like I can’t function without him, but I’m letting go of a huge safety net not having him at my back.  Then again, Adriel is almost as powerful as he is in her Fallen state and she is just as likely to prevent me from doing anything too stupid.
    “Where is my cousin?” Kallen asks.
    Tabitha narrows her eyes.  “In his room with his wife.”  She doesn’t need to add ‘doing the same thing you were doing’, it’s implied in her words.  Blood rushes to my cheeks and I pretend to be fascinated with the fruit bowl.
    With an evil grin, Kallen says, “I’ll send him a message then.”  Kegan is going to be pissed .  When Kallen grins like this, it means he’s sending an extra-long, painful message. 
    Five minutes later, sure enough, an irate Kegan stomps into the kitchen.  He marches right to Kallen and punches him so hard in the arm even I wince.  That had to hurt.  You wouldn’t know it from Kallen’s reaction, though.  He thinks it’s terribly funny.
    Finishing his second apple, Kallen throws the core into the trash under the sink.  “Since Tabitha believes you too weak to travel to the Sasquatch realm on your own, I will be coming along to babysit.” 
    This time, it’s Tabitha who smacks him.  “I said no such thing.”  Technically, she did, but I don’t want to get smacked in the back of the head so I’m going to pretend to agree with her.
    Kegan looks to me.  “You are okay with this?”  His relief that his cousin will go with him is almost palpable. 
    I shrug.  Not really, but what choice do I have?  I don’t want Kegan to get hurt.  “Yeah, I don’t have a lot to fear from the Witches and the Skin Walkers.  My trip will be a piece of cake.”  I’m pretty sure I’m being overly optimistic again.  I may need to drag my grandfather here kicking and screaming.  “I’ll get Adriel to go with me.”
    On cue, she walks into the room.  “What have I been volunteered to do?” 
    “Go with me to the Cowan realm,” I say.  “Excited?”
    “There are no words,” she says dryly. 
    “Where’s Raziel?” I ask.
    “He stayed at the Palace to help the King and his staff prepare for the guests.”
    “Nice.  You didn’t want to help?” I ask.
    A smug smile in place, she replies, “I was told I was needed elsewhere.”
    In other words, Raziel already told her I’d want to take her to the Cowan realm with me.  “Cheater,” I grumble making her laugh.
    “Shall we go?” she asks.
    I feel a slight pinch of dread in my stomach.  I hate seeing my grandfather.  Even if we left things on a fairly positive note when I was there last, I still don’t have warm and fuzzy feelings for the Witch.  “Sure,” I reply sounding as excited as Taz would upon hearing he must go more than three hours without food.
    Speaking of, the little beast has snuck into the room and is currently begging at Tabitha’s feet.  She obliges by tossing him some cookies and a carrot.  “Tabitha, his feet aren’t going to be able to reach the floor if his belly gets any bigger.”
    Squaring her shoulders, the plump Fairy says, “Nonsense.  He is practically skin and bones.”
    “Yeah, what she said,” Taz manages around a mouthful of cookie.  I just roll my eyes at the pair of them.
    “Are you going to waddle