Jill felt horrified after seeing all the blood on his back. She wasn’t about to admit it to him, but climbing off that ledge hadn’t been her smartest idea. She’d thought she was a goner until Aveoth had literally swooped in to save her.
His wings looked even more intimidating during the day than they had the night before. They were big and scary looking as he’d flown at her. There had been no sign of them when he’d started to walk out of the room, but she’d seen the jagged tears in his skin from where they must have sprouted from.
Guilt came next. He had gotten hurt because of her.
“Will you remain here while I wash off my back? I need to climb up to the higher floor. I’d blocked the doorway leading down here to keep you safe upstairs.”
Those amazing blue and silver eyes regarded her, waiting for an answer. It was the second time he’d asked. She licked her dry lips and cleared her throat. “Yes.”
He arched one of his eyebrows, as if he didn’t believe her.
“I promise that I won’t try to escape for at least half an hour. I nearly fell.”
“Forgive me if I’m leery of your word.”
“What does that mean?”
“Last night you offered me sex to beat up your grandfather’s men.”
She felt heat rush to her cheeks, having forgotten about that. “That was before I knew all the facts. I thought you were a man.”
“I am a man.”
Her gaze ran over him. He sure looked like one when he wasn’t sporting wings or claws. A really attractive one. “I swear I won’t go cliff climbing again. Lesson learned. I’m also freaked out about what you said about your neighbors, so I won’t be searching for exit doors. I don’t want to meet any of them.”
“I believe you. I’ll go deal with my back.”
“Can I do anything to help?” She did have a few first-aid classes in her past.
“Do you want to join me while I shower? You could wash away the blood for me.”
“I’ll pass.”
“You’re welcome to join me at any time. Just say the word.” He turned away, striding out onto the balcony. “I’ll hurry.”
He didn’t make any bones about wanting to nail her. She had to give him credit for honesty. She waited a few minutes and followed him out the gaping hole in the room that led outside. It was easy to spot him above her. He used rocks as handholds, and he moved faster than anyone she’d ever seen climbing, disappearing over the ledge of his room.
She reentered the living space, studying it. It felt like stepping back in time. His decorator probably had lived in the seventeen-hundreds.
This was so crazy. Gargoyles, Lycans, and Vampires are real. Bear shifters? Large cats? Halflings? Half of what? I don’t even want to know. Shit. She took a seat on the couch and covered her face with her hands, using her elbows to prop her arms as she leaned forward. Deep breaths helped. Last night, she’d hoped she’d been drugged, but she’d given up on that. Life sucked—and she was smack-dab in the middle of a monster’s lair, or whatever he wanted to call it.
She thought of the sperm donor, hating him even more. This was all Decon Filmore’s fault. It wasn’t bad enough, what he’d done to her mother, but now his family had pulled her into weird world. They’d never wanted anything to do with her until they’d suddenly felt the need to give her to Aveoth. It pissed her off.
Jill stood, pacing.
“Fucking asshats,” she spat. “Like I’m furniture. ‘Oh here, give her to wing guy and let them have bat babies’.” She halted, staring around the room. “Who doesn’t own a television? He reads and leads his people. What the hell does that even mean?” She began to pace again. “I don’t care. I’m going to get his phone and get out of here.”
She walked over to the wall opening and peered out at the expanse of woods far below the ledge. “Great. I can just see how that 9-1-1 call is going to go. ‘Hello, I’m trapped in a cave on the top of a huge-ass mountain, and could you please trace the call, then send a damn helicopter to save me from people who can fly? Yes, I said fly. They can grow wings out of their backs.’ Fuck! They’ll hang up on my ass and think I’m just another crazy person bugging them.”
She turned away and entered the room again. “So screwed. That’s what I am. I’m going to murder Decon Filmore with my bare hands! It wasn’t bad enough he knocked up my mother and treated us like shit. Nope! Now he drags me into this mess.”
“Who are you speaking to?”
The voice startled her so much that she screeched and jumped, spinning to face the man who had spoken. Her mouth fell open. He was tall, muscular, and wore all black leather, with some kind of body armor over his arms.
“I’m Kelzeb. My apologies for startling you, Jill.”
She recovered. “How do you know my name?”
“Lord Aveoth told it to me last evening. I called him a few minutes ago but he didn’t answer. I hope you didn’t attack him.” His voice deepened, growing a little cold. So did the look in his eyes. “I smell his blood.”
“I didn’t hurt him. He’s taking a shower.” She pointed at the rock ceiling. “Somewhere up there.”
The man’s expression softened. “You’re safe. I’m a friend.”
“Not one of mine, unless you want to fly me home.”
He smiled. “I can’t do that.”
“Do you have wings?”
“Yes.”
“Then you could but you won’t. That’s what I figured, but it was worth a shot to at least ask.”
“You’ll adjust to life at the cliffs. I understand you were unaware of our kind until last evening. Aveoth is a good man who will treat you extremely well. There’s no reason for you to fear any form of abuse.”
“That’s comforting, as opposed to you warning me that I’m in for some hurt.”
His eyebrows arched.
She decided to change the subject. He wasn’t human and probably didn’t have a sense of humor. “Do you own a television?”
“Of course.”
“Your buddy doesn’t.”
“I’m certain he’ll order you one if you just ask. Aveoth will want you to be happy.”
Kelzeb studied her. “I feel badly for you, Jill. I do. This must be difficult.”
“Badly enough to take me home?” She’d take pity if it worked.
“Aveoth needs you.”
“Right. To have bat babies. No thanks.”
Shock showed on his face.
“Sorry.” She glanced at his sword. It wasn’t a good idea to piss off the muscular, weapon-carrying stranger. He probably wanted some woman to have his bat babies too and wouldn’t appreciate her calling them that. “I’m out of my element big time.”
“You’ll adjust to life here.”
She highly doubted that. “So, what do you do? Besides being Aveoth’s friend?”
“I’m his advisor and lead enforcer.”
“And that means what?”
“He looks out for me and helps me stay alive.” Aveoth walked into the room. His hair was wet and he’d changed clothes. He wore leather pants and a black short-sleeved shirt that showed off his biceps. His feet were bare. “You’ve met Jill.”
“I have.” Kelzeb turned to face his friend. “An issue has arisen. I apologize. I attempted to call you but you weren’t answering your phone. You’re needed immediately in the judging chambers.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Delbius and Paltos are having a dispute and are demanding to see you. It can’t wait. They need you to settle the matter for them.”
“Fuck. What’s the problem?”
“Delbius is starting a new training group this afternoon, and Paltos insists his son join. Delbius refused, stating the boy is too young. The father disagrees. They couldn’t come to terms so they want you to assess the boy yourself.”
“What skill is being taught?” Aveoth glanced at Jill but then regarded Kelzeb. “Do you know the boy?”
“No. The group will focus on daggers and small-blade fighting.” Kelzeb sighed. “Nothing too dangerous.”
“How old is the boy?”
“Six.”
Jill listened quietly but that got a response. “Wait. What?”
Aveoth inched closer, his gaze fixing on her. “What’s wrong?”
“If I’m following this right, some six-year-old’s dad wants this kid to learn how to use sharp weapons and the instructor is saying no, right?”
“That sums it up.” Aveoth turned away. “I’ll be right back. I need to put on my boots and change shirts.”
Jill stared at Kelzeb after he left. “This is actually an issue?”
“Aveoth will listen to both father and instructor, hear their concerns and opinions, and then make a decision.”
“It sounds like a no-brainer. The kid is six. That’s a baby. Who in their right mind would want their little boy to play with anything dangerous?”
“It’s not that simple, Jill. These are not human children and they need to learn how to fight. The point of conflict is the child’s age. That’s two years younger than normal for that training skill.”
“You people are nuts.”
Kelzeb grinned. “We’re not people. We’re GarLycans.”
He probably had a point. “Why do you need daggers and small blades anyway? Can’t this kid grow claws like Aveoth showed me last night?”
“He can, but they would only be effective on other races.”
“And in layman’s terms that means what?”
Kelzeb explained, “Claws hurt in a fight against, say, a human, Vampire, or Lycan. They don’t when we fight our own kind. Have you seen Aveoth shell his body?”
She shook her head. “He’s got more extras? Great. What does that mean?”
“We’re mostly Gargoyle-blooded. Watch, but don’t be frightened. I’ll slightly shell my skin. Are you prepared?”
She braced herself to see whatever freaky trick he planned to perform. It couldn’t be more shocking than growing wings. “I’m ready.”
Kelzeb’s skin began to darken. The texture of it changed, seeming to harden. He started out tan and normal looking but ended up a light gray.
She managed to keep her mouth from falling open and the curse words that sprang to mind from spilling out. She hesitantly approached him. He looked like a rock mannequin someone had dressed in badass clothes and strapped a sword to the waist. She reached out, her hand trembling a little, and pressed a finger to his exposed arm. What should have felt like flesh now had transformed to a hard, almost smooth, cool marble feel.
“Wow,” she whispered.
She lifted her chin, staring at his face. His eyes were alive but the rest of his face seemed frozen, gray, and it gave her the chills. He really looked like a stony mannequin or a life-size garden statue, but with a real person trapped inside that body staring back at her. She pulled her finger away and pressed her entire hand around the curve of his arm, giving it a squeeze. He felt solid and real.
The color of him started to lighten, and she felt heat against her skin. She let him go and backed up fast. It took him only seconds to appear normal again. He shrugged.
“That’s what we call mild shelling. Claws couldn’t break my skin if I were to fight in that form. It’s why weapons training is so important.”
“How can you fight when you’re frozen in place? Do you just stand there while someone tries to hurt you until they wear themselves out and give up?”
He laughed. “That was just partial shelling. I could have moved if I’d wanted to but you already looked spooked. I didn’t want you to scream or try to flee from me.”
“I probably would have,” she admitted. “It’s like something right out of a horror movie. Do you guys impersonate statues and then scare the shit out of people just for the fun of it by moving?”
“No. It’s forbidden to allow humans to know what we are.”
“So why am I so special?”
“You now belong to Aveoth, and you’re not completely human.”
“I would point out that it’s illegal to own someone these days, but I highly doubt that would matter to people who still live in caves. I don’t have fangs, and I can’t even grow my fingernails to a decent length, so that makes me a shitty non-human, doesn’t it? I’m usually sporting acrylic ones, but it’s been a while since I could afford to have them done.”
“Acrylic?”
“Fake nails. My real ones are thin and break. In other words, I don’t have claws. Not even close.”
He glanced at her hand, then held her gaze. “What is the point of fake nails?”
“They’re pretty and makes me feel girly. Don’t judge, Stone Garden.”
One of his eyebrows arched. “Stone Garden?”
“I like to stick people with nicknames. That’s how I’m going to think of you from now on. You looked like you belonged in someone’s backyard with the other garden statues when you were gray.”
“Statues are harmless. I’m not. Do you know how youngling GarLycans learn how to hunt?”
“Tell me.”
“We teach them a game called ‘snatch the prey’. We let an animal see us and give it a chance to run away. Then we fly high, circle around it, and swoop out of the sky to grab it off the ground. I was excellent at it as a boy, but now nothing gets away from me when I’m on the hunt.”
He was scary alright. She wasn’t going to be intimidated though. “I usually don’t tell people what name I tag them with, but I don’t give a shit right now if that upsets you. Maybe you’ll want to be rid of me, and take me home to save your friend from being subjected to me.”
“I see. What do you call Aveoth?”
“Wings.”
He chuckled. “You are entertaining, Jill.”
“I don’t mean to be.”
Aveoth returned. He’d put on a long-sleeved white shirt that looked as if he’d raided the costume wardrobe on the set of a pirate movie. It was loose fitting, the top of it split to reveal some of his chest. The boots appeared to be military, black, and he’d added a sword to his waist too. She’d have laughed at anyone else in that getup, made jokes, but Aveoth pulled it off. He would probably look sexy in anything. She resented that, too.
Kelzeb withdrew a cell phone from his back pocket. “I’ll see if Fray or Chaz are available to keep Jill company. They are human friendly and loyal to us.”
“No.” Aveoth walked over and snagged Jill’s hand. “I’m taking her with us.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I don’t either.” She agreed with Kelzeb, and tried to pull free of Aveoth’s larger hand.
He tightened his hold. “I’m not letting you out of my sight. Do you want to survive?”
She stopped jerking on her arm. “Yes.”
“Then stick close.” He placed her hand on his arm. “You belong at my side. Stay there.”
“Shit,” Kelzeb grunted. “You know word will spread fast. They’ll only smell the human scent on her and assume you’ve chosen her to be your breeding vessel. Then they’ll wonder why you’re allowing her out of your chambers. Some will be offended she’s not chained.”
“Breeding vessel? Did you just call me that?” Outraged, she glared at Aveoth. “Is that what I think it is? And I heard ‘chained’. Don’t even think about it, Wings.”
“It’s a term some of the older generation uses for women we choose to have our children. It was customary to chain the woman if she was human. They feared us, believing we were demons. Some women jumped to their deaths to escape giving birth to what they called our ‘spawn’. We’ll discuss this later. I must play judge.”
“That’s so insulting! And your people aren’t demons. You’re actually all outdated-thinking caveman. How would you feel being called a sperm-giver or a baby-making machine?”
“Or Stone Garden,” Kelzeb mused.
Aveoth scowled. “What does that mean?”
“I shelled a bit to show your Jill how we look. She compared me to a statue and has dubbed me with that nickname.”
Aveoth had the nerve to smile.
“Don’t do that.” It irritated Jill that Kelzeb had a point. She had called him a nickname that might have been a bit insulting, despite that not being her intention.
“You do amuse me, Jill. I don’t think of you as a breeding vessel. Some of my people are what you’d call old fashioned.” Aveoth made a small bow. “I apologize for the offensive term.”
“I can think of worse names to call your people who think that way,” she admitted.
“I’m sure you can.” Aveoth rubbed her hand resting on his arm. “We can discuss this later. You’re highly intelligent, so I’ll tell you exactly what kind of danger you’ll face.” His expression sobered and his eyes did some weird thing where the color began to change, silver and blue sparking like some electricity ball. “I’m about to expose you to my clan. They will attack us if you don’t do exactly what I say.”
She watched his eyes do that crazy thing they did, had to admit it was mesmerizing, if not freaky, and carefully considered his words. “I’m listening.”
“Act submissive to me in front of my kind. I won’t ask that of you when we’re alone, but in front of others, it would be a harshly punishable offense if you do not. I’m their lord, and we aren’t forgiving. It wouldn’t sit well with anyone if I allowed you to get away with things that I’d beat them for doing. Do you understand? It would make me appear weak if I didn’t punish you swiftly and without mercy.”
“They could turn on us,” Kelzeb warned. “We’d all die. Damn it, Aveoth. Just leave her here. We can expose her to the others once she has more of an understanding of our culture.”
“Someone might have seen her when she tried to climb from my ledge to another one.” Aveoth kept his gaze locked with Jill’s. “Rumors may already be circulating. I spotted a few flyers when I went after her.”
“She what? What the he—”
Aveoth cut Kelzeb off with a shake of his head. “She ventured outside while I slept. It’s best to take a preemptive measure by showing them I’m not trying to hide that I have a woman in my chambers. They’d wonder why I’m so secretive and possibly make dangerous assumptions.”
Kelzeb grumbled, a deep, unpleasant sound. “She isn’t dressed appropriately to make acquaintances.”
“We’ll move up our sparring session to begin right after I judge. It is a large enough space there. Our women wear pants when they train, and I’ll make it clear that I intend to teach her self-defense. It will excuse her appearance, since this was a priority matter and wasn’t scheduled.”
“I’m hearing English coming out of your mouths but I don’t understand what either of you are saying.” Jill glanced between them.
Aveoth leaned forward a little, drawing her full attention. “Just be silent and stay by my side as if our lives depend on it.”
She swallowed. “You said you’re their lord. What kind of place do you run?”
Kelzeb answered before Aveoth could. “You asked about television. Did you ever see a show or movie about a leader of a state or country being betrayed and assassinated by his own people?”
She peered at him and got a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. “I hate those.”
“Welcome to the cliffs.”
“What’s their issue?” She stared at Aveoth.
“We must go.” Aveoth stepped forward, tugging on her. “I’m not a full-blooded Gargoyle. Some would be happier if my father still ruled. He was pure.”
“Where’s he?” She walked with him, not really happy about it, but he had her hand trapped between his side and his arm.
“Dead.”
“Did they kill him?”
Aveoth gave a negative shake of his head. “We’ll speak of history later. Just be silent and pretend to be submissive. I apologize but I’d rather live out the day. Wouldn’t you?”
“Yes.”
* * * * *
Jill remained very quiet, but Aveoth’s repeated quick glances at her told him she was having a difficult time taking in her surroundings as they strode down stairs and through inner tunnels to where they needed to go. He tried to imagine what her thoughts might be. She probably hadn’t spent much time inside a mountain. He doubted many humans had.
Delbius waited outside the double doors leading to the judging chambers. A small boy and Paltos stood a few feet away. He spotted their surprised expressions before each man masked them. The boy was another matter. He gasped. Paltos reached over and slapped his hand on his son’s shoulder to silence him.
Kelzeb unlocked the doors and threw them open. Aveoth paused, had Jill halt next to him, and indicated the other men enter first with a motion of his hand. He wasn’t about to expose his back to either GarLycan. They weren’t ones he explicitly trusted. He noted how Paltos used his body to shield his son from the trainer and Kelzeb. It meant he cared about the boy’s safety.
Jill looked up at him and he met her gaze, shaking his head. Her mouth tensed but she said nothing. He hoped her compliance lasted until business concluded.
He entered and led Jill to his throne. He positioned her to stand at his side and took a seat, keeping hold of her by reaching out to wrap his fingers around her leg just above the back of her knee. She shot him a slightly irritated look but didn’t try to shake off his touch. Kelzeb sealed the doors and blocked them with his back, nodding at him to proceed, now that they had privacy.
“Lord Aveoth.” Paltos bowed, adjusted his sword more to his back and then clasped his hands together at his waist, locking his fingers together in a show of non-aggression.
“My Lord.” Delbius bowed as well, but kept his hands at his side and the sword hilt strapped to his waist within easy grasp.
Aveoth wasn’t alarmed. Delbius was a weapons trainer. His sword had become a part of him. It wasn’t meant as a threat or an offense. He took a deep breath and blew it out. “I was about to spar with Kelzeb and show this one some defensive movements. Let’s skip the formalities, shall we?”
Both men glanced at Jill and inclined their heads. He could see their curiosity but neither were rude enough to ask about her. Aveoth relaxed.
“I’ve been given the highlights of the issue. Paltos, why do you feel your son should start training with weapons? He should still be focusing on flight drills at his age.”
“He excels, my lord.” Paltos’s tone exposed his pride. “Hawk raved that Jobi is the best he’s taught. His dives and rolls are superb. Even the scouts were impressed. They take my son out some nights. Yesnor said he’d vouch for Jobi if you want references.”
“That’s true,” Delbius conceded. “I conferred with Hawk. It’s the boy’s size I object to. None of my students are close to his weight and height. They would have an unfair advantage over him.”
“I see.” Aveoth could understand the problem. Children two-plus years ahead of the boy would be taller and stronger. “Jobi? Let me see you better.”
The kid hesitated, glanced at his father, but Paltos nodded. Aveoth felt a bit sorry for the boy. He knew his reputation made the younglings terrified of him. Jobi jutted his chin out and stepped away from his father to come forward. Aveoth hid a smile and used his free hand to motion him to get within five feet of him.
Jobi seemed average in size for his age. It would have helped his case if he’d sprouted earlier. It happened. Some kids grew faster than others, packing on height and muscle. Aveoth had been like that. He released Jill and stood. He moved slowly, so as not to frighten the child, and crouched down before him. The boy revealed his fear in his eyes but his body remained steady.
“I don’t hurt children.” Aveoth softened his tone. “Your father would try to attack me for getting this close to you if he wasn’t aware of that. You’re safe. Have flight drills become boring?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Aveoth cocked his head. “Why?”
“I don’t need Hawk to ever assist me. I can pull out of a straight dive without trouble and I mostly help the others. I’m stronger than I look, and fast.”
That was impressive it if was true. He glanced at Delbius for confirmation, trusting that he would have spoken to Hawk at length about Jobi’s proficiency. The instructor nodded.
“I saved Kob,” Jobi whispered.
Aveoth stared at the boy. “How?”
“He was playing and didn’t see how close he’d got to the cliffs. He slammed one wing into a jagged edge of rock and didn’t have time to shell since he didn’t see it. His wing crumpled. I dove after him and snatched him before he hit the ground. I got him to a ledge safe. He’s a year older.”
“It’s true, Lord Aveoth.”
He ignored the father, remembering hearing that one of the youths had broken a wing a few weeks before and had almost been killed. Hawk had assured him it would never happen again but hadn’t given him further details. “You understand that the other boys in training will be larger?”
“My father spars with me. He said I’m really fast on my feet.”
“It’s true, Lord Aveoth. He’s a quick learner and—”
Aveoth leveled a glare at the boy’s father and growled. Paltos instantly shut up and ducked his head. Aveoth peered back at the boy, hiding his anger at his father. It wasn’t the kid’s fault his parent didn’t know when to stay silent.
“Remove your shirt and show me your wings. I’d also like to take a look at your fighting shell.”
The kid leaned to the side a little, staring at Jill. Fear showed in his eyes again. Aveoth shifted his body in the same direction and blocked the boy’s view of her.
“It’s okay. She belongs to me and is aware of what we are. I need to know your wing strength and how fast you can react if you wish to train with weapons. It’s difficult to motion shell enough to avoid real harm from steel.”
“She smells and dresses funny. What is she?”
“Jobi!” Paltos thundered.
Aveoth glared at the father again. “Silence! Not another word.” He looked at Jobi and lowered his voice. “That was rude…but you’re young. She’s human, and she just arrived here. Those are the only garments she has until some can be made for her. Now remove your shirt and show me.”
Jobi had paled and trembled when his father had harshly reprimanded him but he seemed to recover fast. He took off his shirt and dropped it on the floor. His eyes closed and he eased his wings out, fully extending them. Aveoth smiled. He could see why the kid might excel at flying. He had a remarkable span for one so young. Aveoth rose up and walked behind the boy, studying his wings from the back.
“Motion shell for me,” he urged. “Now!”
The kid’s coloring changed fast, the softness of his wings disappearing and the grooves sharpening. Aveoth ran his fingers along the top edge of one wing, then pinched it hard. The boy didn’t flinch. He rounded the kid, sparing a glance to see how Jill reacted. Her eyes were wide but she hadn’t made a sound. He crouched in front of Jobi again and touched the boy’s chest. His shell was solid, no soft spots. Aveoth extended one claw and tapped at it. Jobi held still, not trying to retreat.
“I’m going to throw my right and left straight punches at you. Avoid them. On the count of three. One. Two. Three.”
He threw some easy punches at the boy but Jobi dodged each one, his little body moving swiftly from side to side. Aveoth stopped and lowered his hands.
He studied the boy again, looking for any softening around his rib cage and throat, but there were no signs of weakness. Those were the two places VampLycan children were the most vulnerable during training. “Revert.”
The boy closed his eyes, and Aveoth was impressed by how fast the six-year-old could skin and completely retract his wings. Jobi peered at him when he was done. Aveoth smiled.
“Your father has reason to be proud.” He winked and stood, returned to his throne and took a seat. “Put on your shirt, Jobi. Thank you. Go stand with your father.”
Aveoth reached out and curled his fingers around the back of Jill’s leg again, his gaze locking with Delbius’s. “Assign Jobi to someone for private instruction, see how he does, and we’ll reassess if you still feel reluctant to add him to your classes after a reasonable time frame. Let’s say one month. It would give him an advantage over the others if he has one-on-one weapons lessons from a scout. They are adults, so children a little larger than him shouldn’t be an issue at that point.”
Delbius grimaced. “Yes, my lord.”
“I’ll volunteer to work with Jobi,” Kelzeb offered. “I have some free time in the mornings. Will that work, Delbius? I know you hate to ask for assistance from any of the scouts. I’ll spend an hour with him, then drop him off with you. He can at least watch what you’re teaching your students. That way, he doesn’t come in blind.”
Surprise crossed the instructor’s face but he nodded. “That would work.”
“Good. It’s settled.” Aveoth released Jill, rose and took a few steps forward. “Let’s all get on with our day. We’re adjourned.”
He waited for the room to clear and Kelzeb to close the doors. Their gazes met.
“That’s one happy kid. He’s going to brag to his friends that the lead enforcer is his personal trainer. Why did you do that, Kelzeb?”
His friend shrugged. “I remember being that young, and the father isn’t a dick. He’s just very supportive of his son, which I find endearing. Jobi has promise, and one day he might become one of our best scouts.”
Aveoth turned, still smiling—until he saw that Jill had collapsed into his throne. “Are you okay?”
“I thought you said kids don’t have wings.”
“I said they aren’t birthed with them. Do human children walk, talk, and run right from the womb?”
She regarded him with narrowed eyes but didn’t speak.
“What is it, Jill?”
“Nothing.”
She was lying, but he decided to wait until they were alone to prompt her more to share her thoughts.