Photos, threats that disappeared in smoke but hung heavy and pungent in the air. Shane's temper flared like wildfire, bright and all consuming she would have burned everything in her path if a cooler head hadn't prevailed. Patience was as important as strength when it came to war and who better to give council on such matters than Sif?
"Ma?"
"This is a fine surprise. Two phone calls less than a month apart. What happened?"
Shane smirked. Her parents had raised all their children to be independent and sometimes it seemed her mother regretted that, if only a little.
"Nothing. I mean, nothing. I just..."
"Are you pregnant?"
"Ma!"
"It's about time. Don't worry, dear the man you brought up here was very nice looking and-"
"Ma, I spoke with Eve." Shane blurted it out before her mother could continue.
"And?"
"She's Eve."
There was a heavy sigh from the other end. Shane couldn't tell if it was relief or disappointment.
"Good, good. As much as I'd like to stay on the phone your brother and father are coming home from a long hunt and they'll expect all the praise in the world so I've got to start drinking now if I want to sound believable by the time they get here."
And there it was. The small infinitely reassuring reminder that her family was the right mix of callous and strong.
"Yeah, okay. I'll talk to you soon."
"Before the next full moon, I hope. Love you, sweetheart."
"Love you too."
She wasn't going to be home any time soon, not with all these reports of the same threat rolling in.