A shorter chapter but necessary for everyone's character development.

Chapter 27

News

Zara had gone on her trip to meet her grandpa. He lived in California. Sanuye told him about the circumstance around Zara's birth. Once they got past that, Zara had a fun time. She brought back some souvenirs for us. It was April now. She was acting a little differently since she had come home. Zara had gotten meaner to Ragen and almost everyone else.

"Mine!" She yelled.

"No, my turn!" Ragen told her, his voice cracked a bit.

"Zara, share the couch." Owen told her.

"No, mine!" She insisted, stretching all the way out. She snapped at Ragen when he tried to sit. He was about to yank her off the couch or throw a tantrum. I couldn't tell which.

"Zara share." I told her.

Zara huffed and did as she was told. Ragen sat down. He was happy he got on the couch. Zara wrinkled her nose. Ragen sniffed his clothes. He made a face. I guess he didn't realize his deodorant stopped working.

"I called Sanuye. She said Zara was acting normal when they were at her father's." Alex came back.

"Strange." Owen hummed.

Zara was chewing on the throw pillow. She had turned into a fox. She must gotten bored. Her teeth got through the fabric and the stuffing was coming out.

"Zara, no chewing!" Alex scolded.

She barked at him. Alex wrestled it away from her. She pouted and whined. But he wouldn't give the pillow back. Zara laid on my lap. I petted her fur. Her tail wagged. She got my hand in her mouth and nibbled my fingers. I let her for a bit. She whined happily.

"Let's go to lunch, children." Owen looked at his watch.

Zara rolled off of my lap, turning back into a human. "Food!"

"My food!" Ragen argued.

Then we went to dining hall. We were having hamburgers. Zara and Ragen both ate two whole burgers plus all their French fries and fruit. Ragen growled when Alex took the cookie he wanted. They worked it out. After lunch, we were about to go do our normal things when Owen got Zara's and Ragen's attention.

"Zara, Ragen, come with me." Owen said.

"Why?" Zara asked.

"It's time for your check up." He told them.

"What for?" Ragen frowned.

"To see if you are healthy. We have checkups every year." Owen explained.

"Ok." Zara nodded.

"I was gonna go see Amaka!" Ragen protested.

"It won't take long, Ragen." He soothed.

"What about Talia's lesson?" Fox asked.

"She may have free time until I return." Owen led them out.

I went to my room. I read awhile. The first book was a comic about a girl who could talk to animals. The second was about a mermaid. I was halfway through when I got sleepy. I took a quick nap. When I woke up, it was 3. Owen should have gotten back by now. I went out to go find him. I found Fox and Owen in the Great Hall.

"What do you mean they're going through puberty?!" Fox yelled.

"Ragen and Zara's hormones are catching up to their bodies. They were born in an unusual manner. Alexander's magic wasn't strong enough to compensate for everything." Owen said.

"How did we miss the signs for Ragen?" She frowned.

"We mistook his mood swings for his normal behavior. Male puberty is not as obvious in the beginning. I suspect Zara has more of Alexander's magic in her. It explains why she has become territorial and aggressive. She will calm down when her hormones settle." Owen noticed I was here. "Zara and Ragen are going through puberty."

"Ok." I nodded.

The elevator dinged and doors opened. It was Alex. There were some people behind him, but I couldn't see them very well. Alex was blocking my view.

"Mom, Mom! Oh good, you're here too, Tai. Guess what? I finished my project!" Alex smiled.