Page 58 of Seer
“Mom,” Greg said. “I thought we were having a quiet dinner with just a few people.”
She held up a hand. “We are. Lloyd wanted some of his pack members to meet Silvia. Most of them have already left, and the rest are on their way out.”
Greg relaxed. “Got it. Thanks. Sorry.” He said to Silvia, “How did it go?”
She smiled, but to me it seemed a little strained. “They were very kind, but there are so many of them.” She shook her head. “It will take me a while to learn everyone’s names when we visit.”
Greg said, “Maybe you can invite them to Bent Oak a few at a time. Then it won’t seem so overwhelming when you come here.”
Relief flashed across her face. “That is an excellent suggestion, Greg. You are very smart.”
He went around the island, kissed his mother on the cheek and then did the same to Silvia. “Cal, you want a beer?” he called over his shoulder.
“Please,” I said.
After opening the refrigerator, he held up two Jester King Wytchmaker IPAs, and I nodded.
We chatted with Delphia and Silvia for a few minutes, then Edgar and Bettina showed up. Greg took up a position next to the wall about six feet from the island, but he didn’t look distressed. I reminded myself I wasn’t his keeper, and he could leave the room if he felt he needed to. It was getting harder to remember I didn’t like him, that he didn’t like me.
Eventually we moved into the dining room. Max, wings released from their t-shirt prison, set the food out family-style while Delphia poured water into everyone’s glasses. We ended up with twelve people around the gigantic table.
I ended up seated with Greg on my right and Max on my left. Across from me, between Bettina and Lloyd, was a large dude named Bloom who had a craggy face and gray skin. I wished I had a discreet way to ask Greg what kind of Wonders people were, because many of them, like Bloom, didn’t have a second self.
We passed dishes around for a few minutes. Once everyone started eating, Max said to me, “Hey, uh, my sister is Annie. You saved her life yesterday. I just wanted to say thanks.”
“Oh! Um, I’m glad she’s okay.” What the hell else was I supposed to say?
“She was seriously freaked out, especially after that Wonder Thomas was killed.” He shivered and gazed down at his plate.
“We’re working on figuring out who’s behind the deaths. That’s why we’re here.”
He nodded, looking up at me fiercely. “Let me know if I can help. I’m willing to fight.”
“Youngling,” Bloom interrupted from across the table. His voice was deep and gravelly. “Do not be so quick to choose fighting as the solution. The enemy is still unknown.”
Max threw his fork onto his plate. I reared back, jostling Greg.
Max hissed, “Look, you sedimentary rock, you might be old, but you’re not my parent!”
“Okay,” I said soothingly. “Max, I appreciate your willingness to help. We might need it once we figure everything out.” I eyed Bloom to see if he would contradict me.
Delphia called down the table. “What’s going on, Max?”
Bloom said, loud enough for his voice to boom through the house, “Everything’s fine. Max’s youthful temper just got the best of him for a moment.”
Fuck. Way to not deescalate, dude.
“I’m sixty-three years old, you fossil!”
I whipped around to stare at Max, my mouth hanging open. No fucking way.
Before I could ask any questions, a wolf shifter opened the door from the great room and stuck their head inside. I thought they might have been in the room with Lloyd earlier. “Is everything okay in here?”
“We’re fine, Marley,” Delphia called. “Y’all can go on home.”
They shook their head. “We’re playing Twister!” Everyone laughed. They said, “After you’re done eating, come on and play!”
Thankfully they shut the door behind themselves.
