“Don’t encourage him,” I muttered, but I couldn’t help smiling. It was good to see them like this, even if it felt like walking a tightrope. The questions kept coming, and with each one, the conversation drifted closer to things I didn’t want to explain. When Liam’s curiosity edged too close to the truth, I cleared my throat and leaned back in my chair.
“So,” I said, cutting in, “I’ve got news.”
Carnell raised a brow, sensing the shift, while Liam glanced at me expectantly. “I’m moving in with Greyson,” I said, keeping my tone light and matter-of-fact.
Carnell nodded slowly. “You’ll be keeping your suite in the Moreau building, though,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
“Of course,” I replied, though we both knew that would’ve been my plan, anyway.
Liam grinned. “Good. That place is amazing. You’d be crazy to give it up.”
For a moment, the tension lifted. Carnell sipped his wine, and Cal made a quiet joke about Greyson that earned him a look from me. The rest of the evening passed in a blur of awkward laughter and guarded conversation, the kind of family dinner that felt equal parts hopeful and exhausting.
At one point, Carnell leaned forward, his tone warm and curious. “Liam, did you play any sports as a kid?” he asked.
Liam lit up at the question, his hands animated as he talked. “Yeah, I played soccer for a while but was really intobasketball. Max and I used to shoot hoops all the time after school. And my dad…” His voice softened, the smile fading slightly. “My dad used to take me to games. I miss him, you know?”
The words hit me like a punch to the chest. My throat tightened, and my emotions surged before I could stop them. I felt the familiar heat behind my eyes, and when I glanced at Cal, his expression shifted, concern flashing across his face.
“Hey,” he said gently, his voice low. “I need some fresh air. Why don’t you come with me?”
I nodded, grateful for the excuse to step away. Outside, the cool night air hit me, a contrast to the warmth inside. Cal turned to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Your eyes were glowing,” he said, his tone calm but pointed.
I exhaled, my breath visible in the crisp air. “Yeah,” I admitted. “I need to get my emotions under control.”
He nodded, leaning against the railing. “It’s a lot tonight. You’re handling it better than you think.”
I didn’t respond. I just let the silence settle between us as I worked to ground myself. The distant hum of traffic filled the void, and for a moment, it was enough to keep the glow at bay.
After a moment, Cal broke the silence. “You’ve noticed the changes, haven’t you? Your shifter side… it’s getting stronger.”
I nodded, my voice low. “Yeah, I’ve felt it. It’s… hard to manage sometimes.”
He studied me, his expression unreadable. “It’s not just you. Liam… the potion we used to suppress his memories? It won’t last forever.”
I tensed, the significance of his words sinking in. “He’s three-quarters human,” I said, as if that made it better.
Cal shook his head. “It’s the demon part that worries me. The time between doses is decreasing, and you know it.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I know. But that’s a problem for another day.”
He didn’t argue, he just gave me a look that said he wasn’t convinced. After a moment, I pushed off the railing. “Come on. Let’s get back inside.”
We returned to the table, the warmth of the restaurant enveloping us as we sat down. Liam looked up, smiling, and for a moment, I let myself believe we could hold everything together… just a bit longer.
Dinner wrapped up with the quiet silverware clatter and the low conversation hum fading into the background. Carnell leaned back in his chair, stretching slightly. “It’s a nice night for a walk,” he said, his tone light but with a glint of purpose in his eyes. “The Moreau building is only a few blocks from here. I will have Dran retrieve your vehicle.”
Before I could object, he was signaling for the check. Cal glanced at me, a subtle shrug of his shoulders, and Liam didn’t seem to mind, already engrossed in a conversation with Cal about his life in Cincinnati.
Carnell paid the bill without so much as a glance at the total. “Let’s go,” he said, rising from his chair. I followed, my mind racing as I caught snippets of Liam’s words.
“Max and I have been working on expanding the business,” Liam was saying to Cal as we stepped outside. The night air was crisp, a welcome change after the warmth of the restaurant. “It’s been a challenge, but it’s worth it.”
Cal nodded, his interest genuine. “Sounds like you’ve got a good head for it. That kind of ambition… it’ll take you far.”
Liam grinned, his hands shoved into his pockets as he walked alongside Cal. I stayed a step behind, Carnell beside me, his silence heavy with unspoken thoughts. The Moreau building loomed in the distance, its silhouette cutting against the moonlit sky. It just lacked the gargoyle statue thatadorned it during the day as the stone mascot was walking beside my son.
The city was quiet tonight, unnervingly so. The snow underfoot crunched with every step as we made our way back to the Moreau building. Liam walked beside Cal, oblivious, as always, to the surrounding tension. It was just another cold night, a simple family dinner to him. For me, it was a countdown.
