Lydia gave a little squeal when Shenyo picked her up with no warning. His hands were strong around her hips and he hoisted her aloft over his head. With just a little bounce, he tossed her to the roof of the porch and leaped to join her. He invited her to use magic to search the inside of the house. She put her hand on her hip and gave him a stern look.<br/><br/>“Magic doesn’t work like that.” she hissed, afraid to be loud lest it alert any occupants of the house. “I can’t just see inside. I have powers but only certain skill sets.” Lydia squinted, trying to look through the broken board. An idea came to her and she said,<br/><br/>“Let me try a spell.”<br/><br/>She closed her eyes and waggled her head from side to side as if loosening up her neck muscles. She shook out her hands and said,<br/><br/>“Let the object of objection be seen. Let the unseen be manifest. Let the hidden be revealed.”<br/><br/>This she chanted three times, and used her hands to waft her words toward the broken board, as if her words were the smoke of incense and she was a supplicant directing the flow.<br/><br/>They waited and all was still. No sound within the house. No breath of air stirred their clothing.<br/><br/>Once more, Lydia spoke with an air of authority and directed the words toward the opening. This time, she heard the beating of wings and three ravens flew out, one after the other, cawing loudly. Then all was silent once more.<br/><br/>“I think that is your answer. The place is empty and even those birds could not withstand the summoning.”<br/><br/>She lifted her eyes to his and almost fell from the roof. His gaze was intense and she felt drawn into him as if her will was fleeing before the strength of his magic. She swayed toward him and time stood still. Blinking, she broke the moment by dropping her eyes.<br/><br/>"Do we just go down and through the front door, or do you just want to go in here?<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>