“I think they all are in one way or another,” Avaleigh agreed.
Carolena looked at Angelle pointedly. “Let me tell you now, Boon is more like his father than you might expect. The only thing that saved him from being just like him is that he was raised in a family with love and kindness, rather than thrust into a warring military as a child. Otherwise, he’d be just like Carnage. Don’t be surprised if that little boy comes out from time to time.”
“Mom! Really?” Boon asked from the living room where he sat with the males.
Angelle laughed as she answered Carolena. “I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t harboring a little boy somewhere inside. All the best males are, I think.”
Carolena stopped mixing the lard into the flour and the baking soda and looked up at Angelle. “You know? I think you’re right. It keeps them, and you, young.”
“I can agree with that, too,” Avaleigh said.
“Mrs. Carolena, what can I help with?” Angelle asked.
“If you could cut some slices off that ham and get it frying for me, I’d appreciate it greatly.”
“Happy to,” Angelle said.
“Angelle is a great cook,” Avaleigh said proudly.
“That’s a wonderful skill to have. And it usually comes from cooking in the kitchen with one’s mother.”
“I do have lots of memories of just that,” Angelle admitted.
“Avaleigh, that must mean you’re a wonderful cook as well,” Carolena said.
“I can hold my own,” Avaleigh said.
“Don’t let Avaleigh fool you. She’s the best cook I’ve ever known. And Angelle has picked it up from her,” Daniel said.
Carnage nodded. “Goood. Boon eet goood.”
“Well, today you just sit and enjoy. We’re going to cook and you’re going to eat,” Carolena said.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Avaleigh said.
~~~
A few hours later after breakfast had been eaten, they all sat around the living room sharing stories of Boon and Angelle as they grew up. It took no time at all for the stories to change to those of how their parents met.
“How did the two of you meet?” Avaleigh asked. “As I understand it, you are the first human that was allowed in Whispers, and even then it was questioned.”
“You’re right. I stumbled onto the edges of Whispers trying to escape my captors. Carnage happened to be watching, and he interceded.”
“My saave Leenah.” Carnage said.
Carolena smiled lovingly at Carnage and laid her hand on his forearm. “You did.” She looked over at Avaleigh. “I’d run from the men who were holding me against my will. I ran blindly into the swamp thinking it was the only place I might have a chance. I knew there were all sorts of creatures that lived in the swamps, but I had a choice, take my chances with the wild animals, or with the animals holding me hostage. I chose the wilderness. It seemed a lot kinder to me.”
“Thank goodness Carnage found you!”
“Yes! He dropped down behind me where I stopped to rest under a huge tree, took me in his arms and went right back up the tree. I was terrified at first. But I quickly realized that if he wanted me dead, or harmed, he’d already had plenty of time and he did nothing but keep me quiet and hidden from those beneath us searching for me. It didn’t take long for me to figure out there was more to this unusual male than just brute strength. Carnage is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“What happened to those who were holding you against your will?” Avaleigh asked.
“Carnage happened to them, and Enthrall, too. They never knew what hit them,” Carolena said.
“‘Es, did. Man cwy,” he said, mimicking a crying voice and dragging his hands down his face to imitate tears.
Daniel nodded, and leaned over the space between the sofa and the love seat to high-five Carnage. “Yes, indeed! You hurt a woman, you’re gonna pay. You hurt my woman, and you’re going to die — slowly. Painfully. While I smile.”
