Page 57 of Harbinger

I just wanted to focus on the here and now, and spending time with Grandfather.

I stepped up to the door, about to knock, when it opened with a vibrant-green glow.

Not Grandfather’s magical signature, nor Gramps’ either.

What was going on?

Pops stood there in the doorway in the next second, smiling lovingly out at me.

He was wearing his signature white silk shirt and black leather pants combo, his black shimmering Guardian robe sweeping behind him, the hood down.

“Hey, sweetie,” he greeted me. “Come on in,” he said, stepping back from the doorway and gesturing inside with one of his usual bold, sweeping hand flourishes.

“Pops? I don’t understand… what areyoudoing here?” I asked, as I stepped inside the mammoth foyer with the ornate double staircase. “Is Grandfather late?” He was never late. This really didn’t add up.

Pops closed the door with a flick of his magic. “In a sense.”

Disappointment settled over me. “He’s not coming, is he?”

“I’m sorry, Ari. He was delayed returning from his off-realm mission.”

“Gramps said he’d be back today. It’s why I was invited here.”

“I know. Warlow thought he’d return in time, too. I can assure you that the delay can’t be helped. You know he would have been here if he could. There’s nothing he loves more than spending time with you.”

“I know, yeah,” I murmured. “It’s just… disappointing.” I brightened as I looked out at him. “Although, getting to seeyouis no small thing, especially with how busy you’ve been lately. I didn’t think we’d be able to carve out any one-on-one time for weeks yet.”

“It has been chock-a-block lately, no doubt. But I needed a break, and learning that your grandfather wouldn’t be able to make it at least pushed me to finally take it and spend a day off from the Guardian Movement. Bonus points because I get to spend it with my daughter.”

I smiled out at him. He really was the sweetest.

It was what Dad, Papa, and Mom always said about him. And it didn’t even really cover it. He was the heart of our familyandof the supernatural world.

“So, what do you want to do?”

He rubbed his hands together, excitement brimming. “First, Cornelius asked me to give you the present that he had made foryou. He obviously wanted to present it to you in person, but he also doesn’t want you to have to wait any longer. So today is the day.”

“Wow, okay. What is it?”

He smiled and crooked his finger, then turned on his heel and I followed him into one of the fancy salons with all the antiques and special items that Grandfather had collected from his travels, explorations, and interactions with kings, queens, and numerous powerful rulers over the years. He’d also used the special items to teach Gramps about the parts of the world that he’d still yet to explore. Gramps had spent a great deal of time in hiding years ago, both because of his hybrid nature, which hadn’t been accepted back then like it was now—for the most part—and because he’d been hunted by those who’d experimented on him in their bid to create more hybrids from his blood, because he was one of the very rare supernatural beings who’d actually been born a hybrid naturally.

Thanks to Pops, Gramps had been spared and protected.

And then things had shifted. It also didn’t hurt that Gramps was the ultimate true love of Grandfather who was one of the most powerful supernatural figures in the world, and someone who was feared by many. Only fools would dare to cross him and, by extension, Gramps.

I pulled from my thoughts as Pops walked to the center of the salon and swept a hand glowing with his power down in a wide arc.

A moment later, a mannequin covered in a sheet materialized.

He smiled and stepped back, gesturing at it. “Have at it, Ari.”

Curious and excited, I moved forward and pulled the sheet off.

Then I was gasping in surprise as I took in the birthday present from Grandfather beneath.

It was some sort of specialized armor.

It consisted of a silver and black armored corset with a pair of gold, shimmering pants, and an asymmetrical black hooded cloak with silver sigils that glowed proudly with what appeared to bemypower.

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