Grann turned in Corrywin’s arms, looking at her grandson with a mixture of adoration and aggravation because he had just interrupted their…their…whatever it was the voodoo queen of New Orleans and his uncle got up to. “The ancestors said you were startled.”
Jon raised an eyebrow.
Grann raised right back.
Jon held the brow.
Grann as well.
It was the strangest stare-off Quirion had ever witnessed and that was counting that one time where the Sphinx he had been meeting to discuss some history had tried to outstare her own reflection. Sphinxes might be wise, but there was enough cat in them to interfere with their rational thinking.Warning, never point that out to them!
Corrywin cleared his throat. He clearly was the weak link. Barion must have sensed it, too, because he pinned their uncle with a glare. “Well, Uncle? Since when do you come running whenever the ancestors report about Jon? Usually there’s a phone call first.”
Corrywin glanced at his mate, who was still staring at Jon. Two zombies in a staring match. Somewhere in there had to be a joke, if only Quirion could find it.
“Uhm, you see, we were worried…” Corrywin trailed off.
Barion sensed blood and relentlessly pushed forward. “You were worried because Jon was startled in his own home, with me by his side?”
“If you put it like that—”
“Duh, I do.”
Corrywin lifted his arms. “Fine, we were a tiny bit bored by the meeting with the heads of all the old families from New Orleans and being alerted by the ancestors gave mymezanethe chanceto show off a bit and me to demonstrate how dangerous demons are and why it’s a good idea to fall in lineandwe were able to escape without being rude.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Jon was still staring at his Grann, but his brow had lowered.
“Congratulate me and mydemontrefor our quick thinking.” Grann winked and Jon started to laugh.
“Fine, you were cunning and outsmarted a ruthless and dangerous enemy. You can clap yourself on your shoulders.” Jon was leaning back into Barion. When Grann’s eyes started to twinkle, he was quick to add, “But do it somewhere else. Perhaps in Corrywin’s house in Antigua? You could have a nice romantic time there before returning to New Orleans and reporting how successfully you saved me from whatever horror Quirion was about to unleash.”
If there was a hint of sarcasm in Jon’s voice, neither Grann nor Corrywin acknowledged it. On the contrary, Grann patted Jon’s cheek, smiling indulgently at him. “You,ti gason mwen, are such a bright young man. Papa Legba was very wise to resurrect you.” She turned her stare at Quirion. “Don’t make me come back,demontre.”
Quirion straightened to his full height. “M pa ta reve l onorab.”I wouldn’t dream of it, honorable leader. He could see that he’d gotten her with his flawless Haitian Creole.And people said gaining knowledge was boring and useless. Ha!
Grann nodded, for a moment there was something in her expression that made Quirion a bit nervous, but then the adventurous gleam he had learned to associate with impending sexy times worth an entire porno collection was back in her eyes. Thankfully, Corrywin decided it was time to take his mate to wherever they went to give in to their urges and the two vanished as fast as they had arrived.
“Lanfè ak dinamasyon, hell and damnation,” Jon cursed. “That was already more action than I needed for this entire month!”
“It’s fine,iubit, I’m sure Quirion is going to leave as well.” Barion shot him a warning glare, which Quirion ignored. If he were considerate of others all the time, nothing would ever get done.
“I’ll be on my way as soon as you’ve helped me out.”
Barion wanted to say something, but Jon held up a hand. “Does helping you out involve my demon going out tonight?”
“No. He can sit back down on the couch and even have you on his lap. I only need his talent for a moment then you can go back to watching your porn.”
Jon puffed up. “I have to inform you this is not porn. It’s a super sweet interspecies love story my gorgeous mate and I enjoy quite a lot.”
Quirion realized from the way Barion was tensing that this was a topic better left untouched, and nodded in acquiescence. “Of course. I do apologize for my error in judgment. I never meant to insult your taste in films.”There, that should be sufficient.
Jon narrowed his eyes, clearly not sure if Quirion was being condescending—he was, a tiny bit—and Barion, who obviously wanted to get this over with, chimed in. “What is it you need from me, brother?”
“I’m so glad you finally asked. I need you to show me something.”
Barion nodded. “Any specifics? Or just the entire history of Earth?”
Oh, the sarcasm was strong in his brother today.
