Page 112 of The Aether

Kneeling, she pressed it to the center of her prison floor.

Around her, the cage dissolved into a molten pool of metal. It splashed and spit as if angry to lose its beautiful canary.

“Papa!”

Leaping over the liquid border, she ran for him.

And he was there to catch her.

* * *

“Butthanger has been relieved of duty.”

Damian looked up from his poker hand and grinned at Alastair. “Excellent.”

“He wasn’t a bad man, Papa,” Beastie said, pointing to the card he should throw away.

Creed Caldwell snorted into his drink as he folded what he’d been dealt. “Just be glad you got the father you did, kid. Mine wouldn’t be trying to pry bars apart with his bare hands to save me.”

“Linc’s going to be glad becauseyouwill.”

They all paused the play to stare at her.

“Who’s Linc?” Creed asked as he carefully set his tumbler on the table.

With a naughty grin on her elfin face, she drew an arch above them. After a glittering soundproof bubble encased them, she said, “Your son, Mr. Creed.”

“Just Creed, and sorry. I don’t have any children. I make damn—er, darned sure—er…” With a scowl at Damian, he growled, “How am I supposed to say it?”

Not bothering to control his laughter, Damian hugged his daughter. “Creed has no plans to marry, Beastie.”

“Not right away, but he will.”

“Fat chance,” Creed muttered under his breath as he climbed to his feet. “Am I allowed out of the glitter dome, or what?”

Sabrina snapped, and they were showered with iridescent purple flecks. The bulk of which covered Creed.

“That’s mean, kid.”

She grinned and shrugged.

“Your mother is going to be cross, my love. She despises glitter on the carpet,” Damian warned.

“I’ll clean it up. And you should fold, Papa. Uncle Alastair will win this hand.”

“You’re going to make me go broke, child,” Alastair said with a deep chuckle.

“But you won.”

“There is a nuance to bettin’. It’s called bluffin’,cher.” Crossing to the table, Draven Masters brushed the shimmering debris from a club chair, then sat down. Palms flat, he called the deck of cards to him, then proceeded to shuffle, never taking his amused gaze from Sabrina. “Sit,ma petite amie,and I will teach you what you need to know.”

“Will Blane be joining us tonight?” Alastair asked as he arranged his new hand.

“He’s been assigned a job.” Before the others could ask, Damian jumped up and kissed Sabrina on the crown of her head. “My wife has summoned me, gentlemen. I must answer the call.” To his daughter, he said, “No cheating or revealing what everyone is holding. They may not know what you’re doing, but I do. It’s bad form, Beastie.”

She giggled.

“We’re only playin’ for candy, friend.” Draven tossed in the two Pixy Stix ante.

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