Page 59 of Midnight in the Garden of Okay and Meh
“Jim,” she whispered, and tried to push me off. “Move!”
Drake looked at me, then at Desi, who had turned when Parisi got to her feet and put a hand on his arm.
Drake, too, got up. Aisling shot him a startled look, but his attention was focused on Desi.
“OK, that’s cool, in a bad sort of way,” I said softly when power began to emit from Desi. It was like his whole body was lit up with a weird blackness that was both glowing and yet as dark as ink, and exuded a coldness that made me lean back harder against Aisling’s legs. Drake took a step forward, his eyes narrowed.
“Why,” Desi said, and had to stop for a moment, obviously struggling to control the power that crawled all over him. “Why, if the Court was responsible for maintaining the imprisonment during the reign of Bael, Hath, and the others, did no one release me when they were no longer a threat?”
“That is a very good question,” Parisi said, looking pointedly at Aisling.
Drake moved in front, effectively blocking their view of Ash and me. “Aisling is not responsible for any of the regrettable actions that led to your imprisonment. Quite the opposite in that she has worked a good deal to ensure your freedom.”
“That’s true, she did,” Parisi told Desi, and murmured an apology at Aisling, who was holding my collar as she peered around Drake’s butt to where the others stood.
“I see why he’s upset,” Ysolde told Baltic. “That really is evil that no one at the Court thought to let him out.”
He said nothing, just watched the screen with his usual expression of knowing something the rest of us don’t.
“I believe we’re slightly off track, conversationally speaking,” Allie said. “As horrible as it is that you weren’t released earlier, the fact remains that we still need help with the thane. I’m sure you’ll want a few days to get adjusted to the mortal world, but—”
“Who do I owe for my release?” Desi asked Parisi, gesturing toward us. “The dragons?”
“Somewhat, yes. They arranged for the reaper and Sally, along with the Dark Ones,” she answered.
A muscle worked in his jaw; then his hands relaxed. “I will not repay kindness with sorrow. Come, Parisi. There is much we must do.”
“Wait, you can’t just leave!” Ysolde said at the same time that Allie and Christian also voiced protests. “The vamps need you.”
“The Thrall can wait,” Desi said, taking Parisi’s hand and more or less storming across the room to the doors. “There is something I must attend to first.”
“What?” Aisling asked, having finally shoved me off her feet so she could stand next to Drake. “If you knew how much trouble this thane could cause—”
Desi stopped at the door and looked back. I took the moment to nose the laptop around so it was now facing them. “The Court must pay for their actions.”
“Holy crack on rye,” I said with a low whistle. I mean, on one hand I was super impressed with how cool my dad was, what with the dark glowy power now snapping and crackling around him like he was one of those electricity globe things, but on the other hand, I had an idea where he was headed, and it wasn’t going to be good.
Not for anyone.
“You’re not serious, are you?” Ysolde asked. “You can’t be seriously thinking to make the Court pay?”
Desi looked at Parisi, who met his gaze before turning to look at Aisling, Drake, and me. Then she nodded, and took his hand. “Yes, I will help you. I have sworn to protect those who need my aid. You have been done wrong by the people who have also sworn to protect, and for that, they must pay. For you, and only you, will I risk Don Diego taking over my Pilates class.”
“Holy shit,” Aisling whispered to Drake. “Is she saying what I think she’s saying? The Don Diego thing aside, because I don’t understand that at all. Who knew they had Pilates in the Beyond?”
Desi turned to look at the computer. “Dark One, you have my oath I will assist you with the thane in acknowledgment of the debt I owe you and the dragons, but that will only happen after I have wrought vengeance upon those who were responsible for keeping me imprisoned when I should have been released. Effrijim, I recognize you as my son. You will join us in our war.”
“Er ... ” I said, pursing my lips before saying, “Yeah, about that ... I’m more a lover than a fighter, really. Have I told you about my girlfriend, Cecile? She’s an adorable, if cranky, Welsh corgi, and—”
“Where will we go?” Parisi asked Desi. “I have no home in the mortal world.”
“We will find a place. We will need many provisions for the war,” he told her.
“Jim, I don’t want you thinking I’m telling you what to do, because despite being your demon lord, I never want to act like one, but I’m not terribly comfortable with the idea of you joining your parents at this time.” Aisling’s eyes were worried as she rubbed one of my ears. “I do understand that they’re your family, though, so if you wanted to stay with them ...” She stopped and cleared her throat.
I answered her in the same near whisper she’d used. “They’re fun and all ... well, interesting, maybe, more than fun, because that aura my dad is exuding is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in Abaddon, and yes, they are my mom and dad, but I don’t really know them. Besides, you’re also my family, and you’d be up a creek without a paddle if you didn’t have me.”
“Dammit, Jim, don’t make me cry in front of powerful demigods and their equally powerful Sovereign mates,” she said, but gave me a quick hug to let me know she cared. I rubbed my head on her leg in return.
