Jess blushed when she realized what she said and began to stammer an apology when Wrath started to laugh.
“They are trouble,” he said with warmth in his voice. “Can you imagine how hard it was to discipline them when they’d turn up the charm? Hellions, all three of them.”
He told her which son was which before she turned the page to find pictures of Seth and his family. He had a lovely mate and four children plus loads of grandchildren.
Jess didn’t sense the change in the air, the heaviness of magic, until Wrath said, “Speak of the devil. Seth’s here.”
Jess dropped the album on Wrath’s lap and ran to the front door. Seth was just getting out of his car when she ran down the front steps. She stopped a foot in front of the tall basilisk wearing a smart business suit.
“Oh my God,” she said, “You look so much like Wrath, but your eyes are like your mother’s.”
Seth grinned. “Stepmother, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You know I have great-great…great-great-great-great grandchildren older than you so I hope you’re not offended when I call my old man a cradle robber.”
There was so much mischief in his eyes that Jess wasn’t the least bit offended.
“The first Star Wars movie I saw was The Phantom Menace, so you’re justified,” Jess said.
“Sweet fucking Anu, you’re a baby,” Seth said.
“That’s enough, boy,” Wrath said as he reached Jess’s side.
Seth’s face transformed into the picture of wide-eyed innocence. “So sorry, papa.”
Jess laughed. Seth really was trouble.
Seth gave Jess a wink and then hugged his father. It was easy to see that Seth was half imp and that Wrath didn’t mind a bit.
“I want to get the first meeting with Etel over with and then I’ll come back by and we can catch up. I’d stay longer but by now there are basilisks lining up to greet me in front of the bunker,” Seth said.
“Run along. I’ll see you later,” Wrath said.
Seth nodded and then turned his attention to Jess. “It’s really good to meet you. If the old man is happy, I’m happy. Welcome to the family.”
Seth kissed Jess on the forehead and then went back to his car.
“They’re trouble, but they’re good boys,” Wrath said.
“Is there going to be trouble between him and Etel?”
“Absolutely, but Etel and Seth understand each other. I think Seth may be Etel’s favorite nephew, but he’d never admit it.”
“Do you want to be there when Etel shows up?”
“God no. Anyway, something interesting is going to happen when Etel gets to the bunker. I’ll hang back and retain plausible deniability.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“You’ll see.”
***
