Page 17 of The Chosen Son

I startled from my daze where I’d been daydreaming about biting into a certain sidekick’s ass, which was unfortunately an easy thing to imagine after I’d stumbled onto a fan site while doing somestalkingresearch, showing explicit photos and videos of the ass in question. I hated to speculate how they got their hands on the footage. Was Cameron an exhibitionist? I somehow didn’t think so.

I glanced over to where Zeek was extending a silver tray in my direction. On it sat my cell phone, which I must’ve left in the kitchen when I’d eaten breakfast. I’d been so distracted lately, it was embarrassing.

Instead of admitting to my scattered mind, I barked, “You answered my phone? Imbecile!”

Zeek bowed his head to his chest, the tray still extended where I could see the time on the call counting up. “My most humble apologies, sir. Would you like me to prostrate myself so you can whipme?”

My minion was so meek and docile, it seemed unsportsmanlike to strike him. “No! I… don’t want to pull a muscle.”

“Of course, sir. I will go whip myself then, with your permission, sir.” He seemed almost eager at the prospect, his black eyes glistening, thick lips widening in a grin. Lower-level demons were so weird.

I sighed. “Whatever floats your boat, Zeek.” He made a little rattling sound that I took for a catlike purr.

I snatched up my phone before he could scamper off and brought it to my ear. “Harmonia,” I said in greeting.

“My dearest brother, please tell me you don’t abuse your staff,” she said, her voice tinkling even as she scolded me.

“Of course not! And please don’t lie to me—I’m not your dearest brother, that would be Phobos.”

“Obviously, because he actually loves me. As opposed to you, who dodges my calls and pretends to be too busy to come to family dinners.”

I spun around in my chair and kicked my feet up on my desk. “Don’t be so dramatic. I’ve been wrapped up in my many business ventures. I’m very important; people rely on me.”

“Mm-hm.” She didn’t sound convinced, so I made a point of tapping away on my keyboard, even though the screen was dark.

“Is there something you want, Harmonia? I need to get this payroll finished so that my multitudes of staff can afford to eat.” Alright, so that was probably laying it on a bit thick, but she knew me well enough to know I wasn’t past just hanging up on her if the call dragged on too long. There was a good reason why Phobos was her favorite brother—I was an asshole.

“Oh, please.” She snorted into the phone, a very unladylike sound for the goddess of accord. “Do you think you can dig your headout of your ass for long enough to come celebrate Mom and Dad’s anniversary?”

“Again? They have one every year!” I griped.

“And you have had how many with your non-existent partner? None?” Her voice had lost its usual musicality, taking on a frustrated edge. “Look, it’s a big one. They’ve been together for 5000 years, and everyone is coming.”

That made me pause, my eyes straying to the wall that had become a monument to Cameron. “Who’s everyone, exactly?”

“Mom and Dad, of course, and I’m bringing Cadmus and the kids, and—”

“And Phobos?” I asked, cutting her off to get her back on track, leading her in the right direction. “Do you know if he’s bringing a date?”

“What? I don’t know, maybe. Why?” She was instantly suspicious of me.

“Oh, nothing. Just wondering if I’m allowed to bring a date too, that’s all.”

Harmonia made a little squeak. “You’re seeing someone?”

“I didn’t say that. I just was just asking bec—”

Now it was her turn to cut me off. “Because if you’re asking if you can invite that demon minion of yours, I’d really rather you not. Last time he spilled his soup in my lap then ate all the dessert.”

“You can’t blame a guy for having a sweet tooth,” I muttered, getting strangely defensive of my little toady.

“He licked the tray clean, Deimos, and made my kids cry.”

“Your kids are all grown up now, I’m sure they wouldn’t cry this time.” I heard her take a breath, ready to do battle. “Okay, okay,” I quickly conceded, sighing. “No Zeek, got it.” I hadn’t intended to invite him in the first place; I just wanted to know if Cameron wasgoing to be there, but I couldn’t very well ask such a pointed question without my sister giving me the third degree.

“So? Will you come?” She sounded so damn hopeful, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why she would even want me there. If there was one person on this earth that I would give in to, though, it was my sister. I could almost see her wide blue eyes, hands clasped to her chest as she waited with bated breath for my answer.

“I will… try.” It was the best I was going to promise.

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