Chapter Twenty-Four
Bryn turned to Jaxon. “From now on when your father speaks I’m going to hear that teacher from Charlie Brown who goes, ‘Whah Whah Whah Whah Whah Whah.’ So you can handle the rest of this conversation.”
Jaxon looked like he wasn’t sure if he should laugh or be outraged. He sighed and said, “Okay then. Let’s rewind the conversation to your concerns about the adults in Sanctuary. What’s going on?”
Ferrin glared at Bryn and then turned to his son. “We believe there are some dragons living in the old mines below the town. The residents who have registered and are settled into the new housing have passed all of our tests, but we think there are some hold-outs.”
“I still think it seems like too much of a coincidence that they targeted students connected to the Directorate,” Jaxon said.
“It takes training to be able to siphon Quintessence from another dragon,” Ferrin said. “So even if this isn’t the Silver Cult brought back to life, some group is draining students and sending them out to do the same to others.”
Bryn regretted removing herself from the conversation. She tried to mentally prompt Jaxon into asking his father what happened to the two men they’d questioned. Were they locked up in the cells below the library? Apparently, she and her future husband weren’t telepathically connected because he started talking to his father about something else. Bryn leaned over to Lillith.
“What happened to the Silver dragon-pires they arrested?”
Lillith frowned. “It might be better not to ask such questions. They attacked the Speaker’s son, so once the Directorate collected all the information they needed there wouldn’t be any reason to keep them around anymore.”
“Oh.” So maybe she’d turned the one guy into a giant ice cube, but she hadn’t wished him dead. Then again, he was going around feeding on other dragons’ life force and he had dumped her unconscious body in a field by the stadium.
A maid with a W sewn onto her uniform pushed a trolley full of food into the small room. She glanced around and then said, “Are you ready for dinner, or should I come back?”
“You can serve the food now.” Lillith stood and took Asher over to the bassinet in the corner. After placing him inside, she pushed a button and the basket slowly swung back and forth. Why didn’t they make beds like that for adults?
Bryn was already seated on the long side of the oval. Jaxon sat across from her. Ferrin sat at what must be the head of the table, and Lillith sat on the other end. The maid delivered plates of something brown and squishy. She made it a rule not to eat anything she couldn’t identify, even though it smelled good. Her three companions dug in. Jaxon caught her staring at her plate.
“It’s basically steak with truffles,” Jaxon said.
“Steak with chocolate?” Chocolate was awesome on most things, but on beef?
“Not the candy,” Jaxon said. “The mushroom.”
“Oh, that makes much more sense.” She took a bite. It was good.
“People debate whether it’s a mushroom or a fungus,” Lillith said. “Arguments can be made for both sides.”
“It’s a good thing I took a bite before you mentioned fungus,” Bryn said. “Because that is not an appetizing description.”
“So, I hear that your grandmother has started planning an estate for you,” Lillith said.
“Where did you hear that from?” Bryn stared pointedly at Jaxon. “I thought it was supposed to be a secret.”
“Your grandmother shared the information with me,” Lillith said. “She comes over to spend time with Asher and we discuss all sorts of topics.”
“Good to know that I don’t have to keep it a secret anymore,” Bryn said. “I was worried you might be upset.” Or try to stop it. And there was no way she was living under the same roof as Ferrin. This dinner was difficult enough.
“I understand that you two will want your own home. And your grandmother has wonderful taste, so I’m sure whatever she comes up with will be spectacular.”
“The next time you speak to her, please let her know that I want the W’s on the front gates to match the ones here at Westgate Estate,” Jaxon said. “It’s a tradition I’d like to continue.”
Ferrin seemed to brighten at that news. “Good to know you’ve inherited my pride in our family name.”
“Did I mention that I’m considering keeping my maiden name after we’re married?” Bryn said.
Jaxon’s mouth fell open.
Frost shot from Ferrin’s nostrils.
Bryn grinned. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
Lillith pretended to be coughing into her napkin, but Bryn was pretty sure she was laughing.
Once they finished their main course, Bryn hoped for some sort of dessert, but they ended the meal with coffee. What was up with that?
Ferrin excused himself once his cup was empty. Once he was gone, Bryn said, “No dessert?”
“Ferrin isn’t a fan of sweets. Unlike your grandfather, we don’t end most meals with dessert.”
“That’s just wrong,” Bryn said.
Lillith grinned. “Go open the box next to the crystal decanter on the sideboard.”
Bryn walked over and opened the intricately carved wooden box. Inside she found individually wrapped pieces of chocolate. “That’s much better.” She grabbed six pieces and carried them back to the table, giving two each to Jaxon and Lillith.
“I prefer this type of truffle myself,” Lillith said.
“Me, too.” Bryn finished off one truffle in a few bites. While unwrapping the next one, she said, “Jaxon mentioned that you were concerned about me spending time with my mother over the holidays, so I wanted to let you know that I’ll be visiting them at their cabin tomorrow. And it might be better not to try and involve my mother in any Blue events.”
Lillith frowned. “You’re probably right. I spoke to Marie after I talked to Jaxon and she didn’t think it was a good idea. I guess it will take time for them to come to some sort of understanding.”
What could she say to that? “I think my parents will be part of the community at Sanctuary and I’m thrilled to have them back—and alive—and I plan on spending time with them, but I doubt that my grandparents will ever invite them to any events at Sinclair Estate. Co-existing peacefully in separate locations might be the best we can hope for.”
“Maybe after the holidays we could set up a small dinner for just the women in our families. Honestly, I’ve always been curious about your mother and I’d love to meet her.” She glanced at Jaxon. “Do not share that information with your father.”
“I’m going to pretend I never heard that odd bit of knowledge. In fact, I’m going to my room for something. Bryn you can stay here and visit with my mother.” And then he fled.
Lillith laughed. “Poor Jaxon. He’s so proud of his father, but he also understands that it’s best if certain things are kept private because Ferrin isn’t easy to live with.”
“No?” Bryn feigned disbelief.
“Hard to believe, I know,” Lillith said. “But honestly, I’ve had a good life. Part of the reason I’m curious about your mother is because my life is her nightmare. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around.”
Bryn was pretty sure she could explain but didn’t think that would be polite.
“You and Jaxon seem to be getting along better,” Lillith said with a knowing grin.
Was Lillith looking for some sort of confession? That wasn’t going to happen. “I think the news about the house really threw him, but other than that we’ve been figuring out how to spend time together without annoying each other too much.”