“Are his parents actors?”
“His mother modeled.” Her expression cooled. “She’s where he gets those looks. His father is an attorney. I’m definitely talking out of turn here. You should ask him some of these questions.”
“I get the feeling he’d deflect.”
“Oh yeah. He’s the undisputed master of that game.”
She and I watched Morrigan’s antics for a little while longer. If they kept it up, Hades and Seph were going to start digging their way out of their kennels to join in the fun. I put down my wine, picked up the bag of fancy dog treats, and stood.
“Do you want to meet Hades and Persephone?”
“Very much. Yes!” She set her glass down and clapped her hands like a little girl. “Take me to your wolves.”
“They’re not wolves. They’re wolfdog hybrids. What did Sebastian tell you about them?”
“Only that they had to be cared for in a specific way on set to minimize the danger.”
“That’s right. We can’t afford to have a single mishap.”
“I understand. I’ll keep my hands…Oh.” She breathed out in awe when she saw them. Hades with his dark face and mad fluffy fur smelled the treat right away. I gave him the first and then turned to Persephone, whose light gray coat reflected the fading sunset in an interesting, prismatic way. “They’re gorgeous. Just look at those eyes. Oh, how I wish they could talk.”
“No, you don’t. They’d do nothing but complain about their accommodations and demand more food.”
“They’d rather have the run of the place, huh?” she asked. “Poor babies. So, are they half-wolf?”
“These two were rescues, so we have no idea about their lineage. But even if they came from a litter of a wolf and say, a German shepherd, genetics isn’t like mixing something chocolate and something orange and getting a chocolate orange. They could be all wolf, all dog, or an infinite combination of the two. They’re pretty well trained, and they look like wolves. That’s how they get jobs.”
“Genetics is hard math.” She wrinkled her nose. “We learned it all wrong in grade school.”
“Exactly. It’s a bit more complicated than wrinkled and round peas.”
“Oh my goodness, though.” She clasped her hands to her chest. “They’re so lovely. I see why people would want them. There’s something alluring about being so close to wild animals. I’m not saying that’s a good thing—it can become a compulsion. Are they smart? Do they obey on command?”
“Most times they will. Hades is a little shy with people, and Persephone loves to chase things. She was fascinated by your furry boots the night you and Sebastian arrived. Between the two, she’s my rapscallion.”
“It’s strange and wonderful, isn’t it? To look into the eyes of a natural predator. I hate to see them in a cage, though. That takes the joy out of it for me. I hate zoos. So does Bast.”
Speaking of Sebastian. “Something happened to Sebastian today, didn’t it?”
“I’m sorry.” Her gaze lowered. “I can’t talk about that.”
“When I saw him, he seemed truly shaken. I recognized the look.” I turned just in time to watch him photograph the moment the sun dropped below the horizon. “Is he feeling better now?”
“I really can’t say.” She glanced at her phone. “What time is our food coming?”
Neatly deflected. I checked the time. “It’ll arrive at the central clearing in about five minutes. I’ll take my van and go get it. I won’t be gone long. Promise neither of you will approach the kennel without me.”
“Why don’t you let me go? Stay here and enjoy the last bit of light. Let Sebastian get a picture of you with Morrigan.”
I shuddered involuntarily. “I don’t think so.”
“How come? He’s got a great eye.” All the color drained from her face. “Oh my heavens. That sounded…Was that offensive? At the least it feels massively insensitive. I am so sorry.”
“It’s nothing,” I reassured her. “I’ve heard far worse.”
Her face flooded.
“Anyway, that was a great idea. You can pick up the food.” While she got her bearings, I did a quick check. She’d only had half a glass of wine, so she should be fine to drive. “I ordered a family meal and some pastries from a restaurant called Bistro. Here’s the van key.”
She took it from me with a salute. “Got it. Thank you for the opportunity to be of service. I won’t let you down, sir.”
“You’re kind of a smart-ass, huh?” I liked her. Maybe she was Sebastian’s Morrigan.
“Affirmative, sir. Don’t let this sweet feminine exterior fool you. My heart is as cold and black as iced espresso and twice as bitter.” She turned away, hesitated, then turned back. “Why don’t you want Sebastian to take your picture?”
“I don’t much like how I look.” I gave her the unvarnished truth.
“Okay.” Her lips twisted wryly. “But a good photo tells you as much about the photographer as the subject. Wouldn’t it be interesting to find out how Sebastian sees you?”
“I…” I didn’t know what to say to that. “Maybe.”
“Do it. If you don’t like what you see, that’s what the little trash can icon is for.” She gave me two thumbs up, spun around, and then ran to my van. I watched her drive away from the bluff, unaware Sebastian and Morrigan were close until he spoke.
“Did Molly go for the food?”
“Yeah, the service has probably left it with security by now.” I steeled myself. “Molly said I should let you get a couple pictures of me and Morrigan.”
“Awesome.”
I asked because I was curious.
Curious and afraid.
What if Sebastian’s pictures confirmed my worst fears?
What if I looked like a monster to Sebastian?
“Family portrait? I’m your guy. How about we go over there?” He pointed to a spot next to the wolf cage where the light was fading but still good enough. “Down on the grass, Mr. Wilder. This won’t hurt a bit.”
He called me Morrigan’s emotional support human and snapped a picture. He asked me to think about what Morrigan meant to me and took another. After the first five photos or so, he made me forget he was holding a camera.
That was his gift.
While he took our picture, there was a moment where Morrigan and I were eye-to-eye, and it was as if I could read everything she wanted to give me in her expression: her heart, her trust, and her protection. I felt the same. I loved her so much, so unconditionally, it made my heart hurt. I hoped Sebastian captured that.
How did Sebastian see me?
How did he grow up in the most vicious business I’d seen outside of war to become this sweet, caring man?
Why would Deacon warn me away from him, not once but twice?
What had Sebastian done in the past that made Deacon speak of him with such disdain?
“Oh, well. We’ve lost the light completely.” He mimicked his director, Craig. “I can’t work like this. For God’s sake, Deacon. Where’s Deacon? Somebody find my thrice-damned AD and tell him to get the sun back, pronto!”