Avery stepped away from me and followed the other Family Heads into the trees. An anticipation had gathered in the crowd behind me, a collective hush over all the members of the Manser family.
Mom came up to stand next to me, gently taking the ribbon from my hands and folding it without undoing the knot.
"How long-" I started to ask, but talking at the moment felt wrong.
She shrugged. "With your father it was only a few minutes, but from what he's told me it can take all day. It seems to depend on the family." Mom kept her voice low, and she glanced at the others standing between us and the house. All the Mansers stood still, staring into the trees like they were in a trance.
"What's happening?" I'd never seen anything like it.
Liam answered, "It's a calling. It reaches out to all those with the Manser blood in their veins. The Heads of the Family do more than just lead us, they tie us together as a whole. Right now, they're helping Avery establish
