Page 32 of Flying Blind

Emma cleared her throat. “You couldn’t identify her father?”

Axel chuckled. “It was a blackout room. Lydia didn’t know that the protection was ineffective until we were leaving.”

Emma blinked. “What did you do?”

“We cleaned up and went home. If it happened, it happened. And there is our little happening.”

“Yup. Dad. She gets it. I know it’s fun telling the story, but now, she’s trying to figure out if she’s ever met the donor.”

Emma frowned. “I do know a family with several members who resemble you.”

“They are Asian?”

“Chinese. So yes, but there is something in the tilt of your head.” Emma paused. “And that glare in your eyes. Very familiar.”

Zara chuckled. “That must be a new one, Lyric.”

Lyric smiled. “Yeah, it is.”

Axel snorted. “She’s always had a strangely imperious look, even before her latest growth spurt.”

Lyric asked Zara, “Once you have some lemonade or so, I will help you get changed if you are interested.”

Zara chuckled. “Please. This corset makes breathing optional, and I kinda smell sweaty.”

“Yeah. That happens. I can also show you your room so you have a place to retreat when things get too intense.”

Zara took one of the glasses, smelled the lemon, and sipped it down quickly. “Ready.”

Lyric came to her side, smelling of the dinner that was underway. She offered her hand. “Up you get.”

Zara took her hand and got to her feet. The house was huge. “This place is enormous.”

“My grandparents wanted a huge wave of kids. They got Axel, and Grandma called it quits. Grandpa didn’t raise any objections. He got grey anytime my dad’s delivery was mentioned. Grandma referred to it as a bloodbath.”

“Ouch. Well, I have resources your grandma didn’t have if anything happens.”

“That’s good, but you know it isn’t likely, right? Demons share power, not blood. A legion becomes an amazing power dynamic, but children don’t usually occur. They run too hot for a good sperm count.”

She chuckled. “Rayd explained that early on.” They had gone up some stairs and walked along a huge gallery with doors on either side.

“Good. If it happens, it happens, and I would love a nibling, but there won’t be any nagging out of our family. If Dad even makes a peep, I will punch him.”

Zara sighed. “Thank you for being so welcoming.”

“Well, I have my own weird shit going on, so I am not one to throw stones.” Lyric slowed. “This is your room. I am next door. There is a carved icon of grapes and an acorn on your doorknob. Mine is an owl on a rock. Emma’s is a rose with thorns.”

“Wow, that’s appropriate.” Zara touched the doorknob and smiled. “That is so easy. Thank you.”

“Lykon did all new knobs when he first got into crafting. Keeping his hands busy was important at first, so he carved all of these and a full set for the guesthouse with backups.”

“He has clever hands.” Zara chuckled as she opened the door and took steps forward. “Can you get me out of this corset?”

“Yup. Walk to the bed and hang onto the post. It can feel sudden when the corset lets go.”

“Fair enough.” Zara went and gripped the post, and Lyric moved like lightning. The ties at the back loosened and were relaxed evenly with the rapid movements of Lyric’s fingers, and then her hands wrapped around and opened the busk. The fabric sprang loose, and Zara shivered.

“There you go. Your bags are at the end of the bed. Do you want a hand, or have you got it?”

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