The End of Innocence: Book 3 of the Kinstone series

A half hour ride later we arrive where the children of the Coven are to have their night out. From within the car, I could already see the others starting to arrive and head inside the restaurant. Some of them were hopping out in groups from cars, apparently having carpooled together.

The restaurant sat upon a small lake, one of many in Dallas. Hovering over the water I see a large dancefloor, watching as the DJ making a few final adjustments to his equipment.

We finally come to a stop just in front of the main entrance. Rachel leans over and pull me into a light hug, “You have fun tonight my love. Mind your chaperones, and try not to doing anything outlandish. I do not wish to hear that my daughter has leveled the area.”

I smirk, “I promise not to do anything stupid. The boys on the other hand…no guarantees on that end.”

My mother then flicks my nose, “Just be careful Aria.”

I giggle rubbing it, “See you around midnight?”

She pulls back, “Until then my love.”

I smile to her, knowing that last year fought back hard not volunteer as one of the chaperones, electing to allow me the chance to have a night away from her. My body then rolls on the seat and slips out the door.

The evening air is warm and more humid, given the lake. The sun still is slowly sinking into the horizon, giving the sky a fading appearance. A light breeze kicks around me, causing my skirt to flap. I yelp, holding it down, should’ve worn boy shorts rather than panties.

“Hey Aria,” hearing a voice to my right.

I pan over to see Henry walking up from the parking lot, wearing a long sleeve dress shirt and dark pants.

I smirk as he stops beside me, “Well appears that even a dirt wizard like you can look presentable when he chooses to.”

He snorts a grin, looking me over, “And you look amazing, even for a conniving kitsune.”

I chuckle softly. He steps closer, “If you weren’t already spoken for, I’d try and ask you out for a date.”

I sway softly in my dress, “Only taking an interest in me now?”

Henry folds his arms, “Nope…not really. But I’d still liked to if I could. Again, I know you’re with someone.”

I smile, placing my hand onto his arm, “Thanks Henry.”

He drops his arms, “Your welcome Aria.”

I then hear a car door slam behind me as my knights exit the car, with Fenris sitting on the pavement. The couple turns and walks towards me and Henry.

Orga peer down at the boy, “Good evening young sir.”

Henry swallows a massive lump, staring at the imposing knight, “H-Hello sir.”

The knight smiles softly, “I assume that you will be escorting Her Highness inside?”

The boy quickly straightens up, looking to me, and taking another hard swallow, “I…I could. I mean yes sir.”

I shake my head softly. Orga grins as he was soon joined by his wife.

As old-fashioned as it is, escorting a lady inside is still a common practice. But I had the laugh to myself. The way Henry straightens up his body makes me think that he was being addressed by my dad.

“Aria!” I peer around to see Rachel in the window. “Have fun sweetheart, I’ll see you later.”

I wave to her as the car begins to pull away. My attention turns back to Henry, smirking, “Nervous to bring in a princess?”

He looks at me, baring a massive grin, stooping into a protracted bow, “If I may have the honor of escorting you my Lady.”

I giggle, holding out my hand, “That you may my good sir.” He gently takes it and walks us inside, flanked by my knights and Fenris.

The restaurant reminds me of any steakhouse located in the state, only a bit larger. The lighting was dim, but not overly dark, with the interior colors being a set of muted browns and reds.

The hall is abuzz with laughter and a few spells flying through the air. If you ever wanted to see what group of magical teenagers all huddled together for a night of fun looked like, then this is your chance. In total there were about forty to fifty of us, all sitting and laughing. With well over a dozen adults scattered about, keeping a sentry watch.

I peer over to the staff, noticing that they in fact weren’t completely human. The hostess was mostly human, if not the faint sight of insect-like wings fluttering from her back. I did notice a few humans racing about the hall, so mostly likely just magic users or something.

I could tell why this place was chosen. It’s somewhat remote and private, so little chance of discovery. But more importantly, we can just simply relax and enjoy ourselves.

Henry and I walk over to where our group was settled, hearing a few of the others getting a little too rowdy. They quickly were silenced by a few of the chaperones, hearing them threaten the rabble-rousers with having to be sent back to their parents. My escort brings me into a seat and sits me down, rounding to his.

Heather looked to me, “You look amazing Aria, where did you get that dress?”

I flatten out the skirt, “It’s from a little shop in Austin. If y’all ever come to visit, I can take you there.”

Jenn leans over, “How come I’m only hearing about this place now? You never mentioned it to me while I was there.”

I smirk, “Because it’s near downtown and we were about to have a massive storm blow in. That…and I had only been there once before.”

She drops her chin onto her hand, “Okay…next time I’m there, you and I are heading to it.”

I smile, “Deal.”

Hopefully the next time I visit, nothing bad will happen. Oh like someone trying to kill me? I shake my head, pushing out those thoughts.

Mandy then leans over to Henry and grins deviously, “Making a move on our girl?”

He snorts, “No. I merely was being a gentleman and brought her inside, nothing more.”

She pulls back, still baring her grin, “If you say so,” winking to me. I roll my eyes, watching as the sun makes its slow trek down the sky.

I really miss Kenji, part of me wishing that he was here, meeting my friends and seeing how I have fun in America. Then of course there are my yokai friends, who I sure would jump at the chance to visit me. I pull out my phone and text them.

I peer up at everyone seating at the table, Jenn and Heather were each discussing plans about the latter coming to visit for her birthday, something I know I want to do as well. Alexis and Henry each have their phones out; scrolling through whatever catches their attention. Mandy of course was middling away in her notebook, making plans for God knows what once the fall semester began.

I hold up my phone and pan it around, taking pictures of everyone.

Jenn catches me and smiles, “Who ya sending those to?”

I scroll through the pictures and sending them off, “Just to my friends in Japan.”

She leans onto the table, “Telling your boyfriend about us too?”

My fingers shudder, nearly losing my grip as I send a special one of myself to Kenji. My cheeks burned a deep red, dropping my head.

Her face stretches into a broad grin, “I’m right, aren’t I babs?” I slam my head onto the table, feeling even hotter.

She chuckles, walking over and placed her hand onto my bare shoulder, “You miss him don’t you?”

I let sigh a heavy sigh, holding the phone in my lap. She kneels down beside me, looking up through my hair. “Just need to be patient. You’ll see him again, I’m sure of it.”

I glance over to her, “Do you think that he’ll still like me? I know long-distance relationships don’t always work out.”

She reaches in and grabs my hand, “It’ll work. Something about you two just seems right. But you will have to be honest with him when you do.” She then taps my chin and nose, “Just keep that overwhelming source of confidence I know you have buried in you.”

I giggle, leaning back up, “Thanks Jenn.”

She stands, “Anytime girl,” then heads back to her seat.

A few minutes later the sounds of cart echo into the dining hall. Everyone immediately turns, watching large stainless stall containers being placed onto several long tables. The hall is filled thick with the aromas of smoked meats and steaming sauces so strong that your mouth instantly watered. Soon more carts entered the hall, mostly likely filled with various vegetables and fresh baked rolls.

I glance over to Orga and Kateryna, watching their faces fill with puzzlement. Fenris of course has been lying down behind me, seemingly unfazed by the thick smell of meat. I chuckle, seeing his tail wagging softly with the wolf’s chest growing larger with every breath, knowing better.

One of the chaperones then walks over behind the food table, “All right everyone, I would like for you to form an orderly line in front. There is plenty of food to go around plus more if needed. So please be patient and you will get some.”

Everyone then rose from their seats and heads over to the food tables. We each pick up a plate and begin filling them. At the very end of the table rests a small grill, where you could have a steak freshly prepared for you and beside it a meat carver.

The main dishes were what you would expect to see at a Texas barbecue: brisket, ribs, sausage, chicken, and pulled pork. God I love living in Texas sometimes.

Some of the children couldn’t believe the sight of mountains of meat shown before them. I had to giggle, for I know a certain dragon would go completely insane and decimate the offerings. But then I realize that another dragon is here. Well…two if you’re really keeping count.

When it came for our group’s turn, I glance up at Orga and Kateryna, still seemingly dumbfounded by the setup. I smiled, leaning over to them, “Kinda different isn’t it?”

The man gives a faint nod, “I…I will admit to this being somewhat strange Your Highness. Having food displayed in such a manner, not to mention the variety.” I lean over, seeing Kateryna also sharing in her husband’s bewilderment.

I smile, looking up at him, “You’ll get used to it. I do hope you’re hungry,” then seeing several of the older boys just pile mountains of chicken wings onto their plates, no doubt about to dive into an eating contest. I roll my eyes, returning to plate myself.

I return to our table, having swiped a huge piece of smoked brisket and ribs for Fenris. I smile, putting the plate onto the floor.

The wolf feverishly wags his tail, but eyes me, “Mischievous little fox.”

I grin, taking my seat.

I dove into the few ribs I picked up, tearing off the meat from the bone. The meat drips with glorious juices, dipping some of into hot smoky and peppery sauce. It was tender and spicy; melting the moment it entered my mouth. Never was one for sauce drenched barbeque, having been raised to cook and enjoy without it. I lean back, listening to the sounds to silverware clanging and scratching on plates.

My gaze then turns to my knights, each obviously enjoying their meal. Orga seems to be fascinated by chicken wings, having plucked a fair number. Kateryna on the other hand clearly appear to favor the prime rib steak, watching her effortlessly cleave into meat. Fenris had more than likely gulped his meal, hearing the wolf let out belch as he licks his lips. I giggle, shaking my head.

“Sorry I’m late guys.”

I turned around to see Marron dashing over to us, dressed in a navy blue mid-length collared illusion top dress. A smile forms on my lips, “Hey, at least you’re not ‘fashionably’ late.”

She walks over to me and flicks the top of my head, “Snarky brat.”

I burst into a chuckle as she leans down to hug me, “You look adorable sweetie. Where did you get that dress?”

I cling to her, “From the little shop you took me to. You know the one with the bookstore attached?”

She kisses my temple, “I do. I’m glad you remembered it.” She then peers down to see a slumbering wolf, resting his muzzle on a plate. “I see Fenris is happy.”

My head lowered to look at him, letting out a giggle, “He should, I think I fed him about ten pounds of meat.”

Marron knells down, stroking his dark fur, observing as he fidgets slightly. “Well…I should go and get something to eat before the boys devour everything.”

My attention then turns to see over a dozen of them, all standing around a table, and guzzling down chicken wings. My stomach turns in knots watching them consume wing after wing, tossing the naked bones onto plates.

“I think you’re too late Marron,” who also then looks up to the carnage.

To no one’s surprise was the sight of Carol standing alongside them, wolfing down wing after wing. Dragons in either form are voracious eaters and she was a prime example of that. I, of course, would only be that way if in my dragonic form and after having flown for a couple hours. Silvi…dear God that woman would put that girl to shame.

Marron winced slightly, “I…think I should grab something before I lose my appetite.” I turn away, trying not to throw up. I’ve never like the idea of eating contests, often finding them be disgusting. She rubs my back for a moment and then leaves.

“Geez, can’t we go somewhere nice and it not devolve into a contest of stomach sizes?” complains Heather.

Henry looked over to the table, “Apparently not. They’ve tried to get me to join in. I can’t eat as much as they can.” I feel my stomach churn wildly, hearing the sounds of cheering.

Mandy drops her fork onto her plate, “Why don’t the adults tell them to stop? Like seriously, even Carol is over there with them. I just hope this doesn’t turn into another ‘Chicago’. I still have nightmares of how angry Granny Miriam was.”

Jenn leans back, “Yeah no kidding. At this rate they’re gonna end up embarrassing the Coven again.”

My stomach gurgles and whines with each plop of a chicken bone. Not being able to hold it down any more, I bolt from the table, holding my mouth.

“Aria?” sounds Alexis.