I bit my lip and tried not to giggle at his pitch. Walter’s expression remained wonderfully stoic. “Families are members of the Order of Stars,” he explained. “It’s something you are born into — a lifelong training if you will.” He placed butter and syrup in front of us. “Occasionally, new members may be inducted if they have done something particularly impressive or important to maintain the balance between the paranormal and mundane worlds.” As he spoke, he plated up the first round of pancakes, putting dishes in front of us before returning to the griddle.
“Nice,” Cody said, nodding to himself as he slathered his pancakes with butter and dumped maple syrup over the top. “I’ll figure out a way to do that,” he said, his mouth already full. “Sounds dope.”
I paused. “Are your family alrea
