Page 188 of The Cruelest Undead

She smiled.

“Well, since I have never had a dad or mom, I can do that,” Mina said.

Flynn’s mother grinned.

“I like this whole big family thing,” she admitted. “It’s nice. I’m glad Flynn had it when we were gone.”

Mina said nothing.

She knew how rough Flynn’s years were after their death and as he fought for this family. It had been brutal, but that wasn’t her story to tell.

“What would you like to eat? Most of the people here don’t consume food, but we do have a few humans who live with us. I’m one of them.”

Flynn’s mother moved closer.

She was curious.

“Do you have the things to make cookies by any chance?” she asked. “My son needs to gain a few pounds. He’s all skin and bones.”

Mina nodded.

“Absolutely, but I’m telling you now…he won’t want to gain too much weight. Then, he’s too heavy for Rinnon’s wings.”

Together, they stared at her.

The look was very familiar. It was the same look Flynn would give them when one of them was kidding and he wasn’t sure.

It made Mina laugh.

“It’s a joke. Rinnon doesn’t fly with his wings. That would be weird. They are more about protection than flapping around.”

Yeah, this whole thing was bizarre.

“I need a manual to catch up on all of these things,” Flynn’s father said. “This is craziness.”

Mina shrugged.

“Not if you are living it. It’s pretty natural to me. I’ve been here a long time. Jolie is like a mother to me. Flynn is like our father. Jacques is too. We’re a family, and while it’s odd for outsiders, it’s our norm.”

Flynn’s mother patted her hand.

“Give us time, dear. We’re working on it.”

Mina understood.

To keep them busy, Mina began getting the things out of the cabinet, and giving them to Flynn’s mother.

When she was done, she made a sandwich for the man so that he could have some lunch.

As‘mom’worked in the kitchen, Mina placed lunch in front of the older man.

He ate it.

And then, the worst thing happened.

He.

Got.

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