Ch. 135

Eric and I tried to brainstorm for a while before dinner was ready. We had come up dry. Nothing good had come from our thinking. We thought of Mom, but she really doesn't have much witch magic to be of help. Ash doesn't know any of this either. Eric didn't have the heart to tell him and neither did I.

"I could smell that meat from the castle." Ash came in from the side door. He had that childish grin of his as he eyed the steaks.

"Don't worry, big guy, there's one with your name on it." Dex patted Ash's shoulder.

"Thanks!" Ash took a seat in front of me.

"Where's Layla?" I just realized she wasn't here with him.

"She's with some friends. It's one of their birthdays" Ash shrugged his shoulders, as he cut his steak. "This is delicious, Dex. Thanks. I was about to have to try to cook for myself."

"Oh gods, no. You would have burned the place down." I teased him. Ash is the worst at cooking and that hasn't changed over the years. Despite his numerous attempts, Ash's cooking had only