Vaughn:

The door was unlocked. Vaughn couldn’t believe how easy it was just to walk into the small cottage. It seemed that Del had exaggerated the girl’s street smarts. This would be easier than he expected.

Vaughn, with the comforting bulk of Sebastian at his back, marched into the main living area of the small home. The laughter and chattering coming from the room cut off abruptly when the two men charged in.

Vaughn met Nyssa’s eyes over the huge dining table. The girl slumped in a high backed chair, one leg slung over the armrest. She froze mid-laugh, like a deer in the headlights. Vaughn smiled triumphantly. There was nowhere for the girl to go. She was trapped and she knew it.

“So I was thinking that we-” the boy, Finn, broke off mid sentence as he entered the dining room and saw the two intruders. His reaction was an unexpected one. He glared at his adopted sister accusingly.

“What the hell, Nyssa?” Finn snapped. The girl in question held up her hands in surrender.

“It’s not my fault,” she insisted. “I don't see everything, you know.” Finn crossed his arms, frowning darkly.

“You have been drinking coffee again haven't you,” he accused. Nyssa leaped from her chair.

“I resent the implication that my caffeine habits are to blame in this situation,” she almost yelled. “You probably let something slip when Del stormed your apartment. Now mum’s birthday is ruined and I blame you.” Finn flushed angrily, his face turning bright red.

“This isn’t my fault.”

“I didn't say it was your fault. I said I was blaming you.”

“You have nothing to worry about, Finn,” Finn mocked in a high-pitched voice, wiggling his hips femininely. “I can take care of myself, Finn.” Nyssa opened her mouth to retaliate when an older woman, sitting unobtrusively in a corner, cleared her throat.

“Children,” she chided, putting a stop to their squabbling, “we have guests.” She had the same mousy brown hair at Finn, tucked into a neat coif at the base of her neck. This was probably their mother, Connie.

Vaughn, attempting to take control of the situation took a seat at the head of the table, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

“There is nowhere for you to go, Nyssa,” he said with a triumphant grin. Nyssa glared at him.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“You are ruining my mother’s birthday,” she accused. Vaughn only grinned wider.

“Nyssa,” the older woman admonished. “Don't be so rude.” She turned to Vaughn. “Please, make yourself at home. Would you like some tea?”

“Mum! Don't offer tea,” Finn complained.

“Nonsense, just because they are here to take my baby away,” her voice became shaky and she grasped Nyssa’s shoulders, “that is no reason not to be polite.” Nyssa pulled a sour face.

“That is alright, ma'am,” Sebastian said. “We don’t need tea.” The older lady turned to the two men and began to talk in an unsteady voice.

“Please,” she grasped her hands in front of her, “may I have a few minutes to say goodbye to my daughter? It is my birthday after all.” Sebastian turned to Vaughn who just nodded magnanimously. Nyssa’s mother immediately brightened.

“Fantastic! I’ll put a pot of tea on.” She bustled off the kitchen before Vaughn could argue.

“I’ll help, mum.” Nyssa began to rise from her seat but Vaughn stopped her with a sharp shake of his head.

“You. Stay,” he said. Nyssa glared but sat back down.

There were a few long minutes where the two groups sat at either side of the table in silence. Nyssa glowered at Vaughn while he lounged in his chair, grinning as if this were all his idea.

Eventually, Connie returned with a tray of tea cups. She placed one in front of each of them, chattering good-naturedly. She kept up this one-sided conversation as she poured the tea, pinching Nyssa’s cheek as she went.

Vaughn and Sebastian made no move to drink the tea, not until Connie shot them a motherly glare. Sebastian immediately lifted the cup to his lips, careful not to insult the woman. Vaughn just shrugged and took a disdainful glup.

“I don't know why Del had so much trouble finding you, Nyssa,” Vaughn said. He placed the teacup back in its saucer with a sharp clink, spilling the tea a bit.

“We both know it was Del that tracked me here,” Nyssa said, smiling into her tea, “not you.”

Vaughn opened his mouth, a witty retort ready. All that came out was a raspy croak. He frowned at his cup.

“Sir, I do not dare insult you, but my mother taught me well,” Nyssa recited calmly, stirring her tea. “Food of Fey or foreign magic may be laced with Charm or Spell.”

Sebastian’s head slowly lolled forwards until his chin rested against his chest. Vaughn tried to rise but his legs were not cooperating. His limbs were turning to jelly, responding clumsily when he attempted to stand.

“Now sweetpea,” said Connie, unconcerned about the two men rapidly losing consciousness on her dining room floor. “Please remember to call.”

Vaughn slumped forward, his head thumping against the table. He tried to yell but his tongue was thick and clumsy. He only managed a strangled grunt. As his vision faded, he was vaguely aware of the sound of china breaking from the other end of the table and a young male voice swearing.

“Don't be silly, Finn dear. I didn't drug your tea.”

Then everything went dim.

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I love Connie. She is probably the only person who could have dealt with a young Nyssa who was just coming into her abilities and who had just lost her mother. I just adore how she is stereotypically maternal and at the same time, totally bad ass. I can see her caring for a scare little Nyssa who misses her mother, but also no blinking an eye as Nyssa predicts the cat's death.