“So what about you? Any new men in your life? Rumor has it you were seen with a handsome charmer the other day.”
“Really?” Kaia forced herself not to leap from the table and run away. “Well, maybe Drake. I saw him briefly before he, Jack, and Web went out on another classified mission.” She forced a laugh to cover the lie. “I swear, I live with the best roommates. They’re perfect men—they’re never home.”
Sabine appreciated that, Kaia could tell. She’d always thought her mother disliked men, despite going through hordes of them at a time. “Mom, why did you marry Dad? You guys never seemed to get along.”
“Now there’s a question.” Sabine looked thoughtful as she sipped her tea and sighed. “I’m partial to oolong, but this Kashi tea has a lovely bite. Like the spirit for which it was named, it’s got two sides. A spicy flavor that eases into a sweet, peppery taste after a bit. Goes very well with a honeyed ricotta cake.”
Kaia tried a sip at her mother’s urging and broke down coughing. “Quite... a kick.”
Sabine chuckled. “So’s your father. He’s powerful, which I love. But his moral streak leaves something to be desired. You think like him but you’re more like me than you’d care to admit. I respect that side of you, you know.” Her mother looked proud of her. “You’re powerful, Kaia. Or you will be at some point in your future. With your father’s genes and mine, you have to be. Rumor has it your father has a demi-god somewhere in his family tree.”
“Really?” Her dad had never mentioned that.
“That’s a big reason why I married him. To my surprise, we married and got pregnant right away. Or rather, I got pregnant. Your father didn’t do much more than provide the ingredients, if you know what I mean.”
“Mom.”
Sabine snickered. “Anyway, nine months later, you popped out.” She grabbed a sandwich and followed that with several more, surprising Kaia with her appetite. “Your dad and I had been at each other’s throats my entire pregnancy. It was tough.” Her eyes shone. “I loved you so much and you weren’t even born, but your father nearly ruined the entire experience with his hostility.”
Kaia had seen a few videos to prove otherwise, and she knew her mother. Bless him, but her father should be sainted for dealing with Sabine at all. Her mother hadn’t been very nice to him. Not like she was to Kaia.
“But then I had you, and I loved you.”
Kaia waited for it. The sigh.
Her mother sighed. “Except Rán came for me with her nets, trying to drag me to death at the bottom of the ocean because she mistakenly thought I’d slept with her boor of a husband, Aegir. As if.” Sabine snorted. “I left you with your father while I dealt with her.”
“How did you deal with her?”
Sabine gave a dainty shrug. “I gave her the woman he’d really slept with, a rival of mine the world was better off without. Rán was happy and finally left me alone, but by then five years had gone by. You were happier with your father, more stable, so I left you there. That’s why you didn’t live with me, sweetie.”
“I know, Mom.” I also know you’re full of crap.
“But I do love you.” Her mom kissed her on the cheek. “Just think, you might one day become more powerful than me. Wouldn’t that be a kick if you had a Becoming like your father did when he turned twenty-five? It’s something to think about, Kaia. You do have mage magic in you.”
“No way. I like working at ADR, Mom. It’s a great job. I don’t want gobs of power or riches or tons of boyfriends. I just want the quiet life I have now, but yeah, maybe with a boyfriend at some point.” Kaia smiled then laid it on thick. “I’m so proud to have a grand mage as my dad and the White Sea Witch as my mom. I mean, you’re famous.”
Her mother blushed. “I am.” She sipped her tea and looked at Kaia over her cup. “So you really didn’t get together with some tall, dark, and handsome stranger while I was gone? No lycans or vampires for you, eh?”
Kaia forced a laugh. “Yeah, right. If I found a vampire, he’d go for my throat. They’re not supposed to be friendly. And lycans scare me. They’re too rough, at least the ones I’ve met, minus Jack of course.” She smiled at her mom. “More like you found some hunky guy at the conference.”
“Guy? You mean, guys.”
“Ha. Figures.”
“No, just one guy.” She gave Kaia an odd look. “I really like this one. He’s more my type than anyone I’ve ever met. I think we might have a future together.”
“That’s great, Mom.”
“Do you mean that?”
“I do. I wish you every happiness.”
“Thank you, sweetie. With any luck, my dreams will come true.” She gave Kaia an intent look that made Kaia distinctly uncomfortable.
“You deserve it. You’ve worked so hard your whole life.”
“I really have.” Sabine seemed more than pleased as Kaia continued to compliment her and ask about the classes she’d taken at the conference.
As they wrapped up, Kaia felt a sense of relief to have made it out alive. She glanced at the lycans, still staring into space near the wall.
“Well, I’d better get going.” She saw her mom watching the lycans, a sly smile on her mouth, and Kaia’s palms grew sweaty. She stood. “I have a lot to do this week. More cataloging, you know how it is.”
“Yes, I do. Best of luck, dear.” Sabine stood to hug her. “Do me a favor.”
“Sure, Mom.” Kaia tried to pull back, but Sabine held tight, staring at her eye to eye.
“Don’t be a stranger.” She walked Kaia down the dock and watched her board the boat taxi manned by the third lycan.
Holy crap. He’s going to eat me on the way home. I know it.
“Safe travels.” Her mom winked. “Scott will get you where you need to go. Home or wherever.”
Kaia gave her a weak smile. “Thanks. Bye.”
The lycan said nothing, staring blankly like his friends as he drove away from the island.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO
Sabine watched her lying daughter leave. She’d known that Kaia had been in the house at least once since her last visit. Not only had the lycans spilled their guts before she’d trapped them in a spell they’d never break, but a small spot of trace magic remained on her daughter’s cheek, put there when she’d intruded during Sabine’s absence. Though it hurt to know her daughter would be betray her like that, Sabine had a grudging respect for the girl.
“Lied right to my face like a champ.” She shouted, “Yeva.”
Her nyavka drifted inside, looking uncomfortable. The spirit longed for the open forest and air around her. “Yes, mistress?”
“I want to hear it again. You said you saw me, plain as day, with the vryko when he escaped?”
Yeva nodded.
“My own daughter. You’re sure?” It wasn’t just that Sabine didn’t believe Kaia could do such a thing, but she had a tough time believing Kaia could be so stupid and clumsy about it.