Page 13 of Flying Blind

“What an oddly compelling selling point,” she whispered.

He chuckled.

“I have to ask a question.”

His lips brushed hers again. “Go ahead.”

“How did the other two die?”

“Oh, well, one had his neck broken, and the other was sprayed with snake venom. Exceedingly toxic.”

The rustling of serpents went through her mind. No. It couldn’t be, could it?

She paused. “I know someone who may be venomous.”

“Interesting, but it is much more likely that their third found out and killed them both. He would be their dedication. He would be more dangerous to you. He probably wanted to wait, but the other two went early.”

“Oh, so there is another one out there, and he’s dangerous. Good to know.”

He smiled and kissed her more firmly, a hand threaded into her hair.

“Randolph!”

He lifted his head. “Yes, Grandma?”

“Do not maul Zara on my good couch. And I do not have a bad couch.” Emma was stern.

He chuckled. “She can’t see me if I let go of her.”

“She can’t see you now, Randolph.”

“Grandma, no one else calls me Randolph.”

Emma chuckled. “Zara does.”

“I may have to beg her not to.”

“I can save Randolph for special occasions.”

He chuckled. “Thank you.” He lifted her hand to his lips.

“Are you staying for dinner, Randolph?” Emma’s voice was sly.

“No. I have a meeting to attend with Niko. We tried to meet at the convention, but Alita was off getting costume pieces, and we ran out of time.”

Emma sighed. “Fine. So, are you going to start a courtship? I mean, you have months to wait, so you may as well get her used to you when she isn’t practicing or performing.”

He sighed. “It will be torture, Grandma.”

“A little pain builds character. Just look at Zara.”

Zara used her free hand to cover her eyes with the lace.

He touched it and straightened it for her. “Niko is going to laugh at me for ignoring this for so long, but Grandma was stern. I had to wait until you were able to survive on your own. Getting you while you were weak and helpless wouldn’t have been a good start.”

She inhaled and sighed. “I still can’t catch your scent.”

“Yours is muffled as well. When your third is one month away, I will take you to meet your second. He is content to continue his work for now.”

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