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Faris looked like he was contemplating setting her on fire, but Grace distracted him by bringing up the next council meeting’s agenda. Then they went off together to fight over it.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that,” Octavian commented.

“Gods and demons working together?” Arabelle asked him.

“Leda’s parents flirting with each other.” Octavian grinned at me.

“Yeah, you and me both,” I agreed.

“Speaking of public displays of affection.” Punch nodded toward Stash, who was just passing by us, his arm wrapped around Gin.

“Aw, they’re even feeding each other cupcakes!” Octavian said, perhaps a little too loudly.

Stash and Gin turned, heading right for us. Tessa and Calli weren’t far behind with their boyfriends.

“Hey, Leda,” Tessa greeted me. “Can you help me convince Lucian to try out the big climbing wall?”

“I thought you set up the climbing wall for the kids at the party,” I said.

“It’s an activity that’s fun forallages.” Tessa smiled at her boyfriend.

“I am not a soldier or a brute,” Sunfire said stiffly. “I am a thinker.”

“Yes, and I love you for it, Lucian,” Tessa said, her tone breezy, “but I really want to make out with you in the enchanted forest on top of that wall, so come on.”

“Oh, very well,” he agreed, slightly less stiff. “But only because I like trees.”

Laughing, Tessa pulled on his hand, leading him toward the climbing wall. He gazed upon her like she was the center of his universe.

“He is completely in love with her,” Calli said, watching them.

“Of course he is,” I replied. “She’s Tessa. She can twist any man around her finger.”

“Actually, I think this time she’s gotten herself pretty twisted up too.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “She really has.” I glanced from her to General Silverstar. “So?”

“So?” General Silverstar repeated.

“Things have been super busy, so I haven’t had time to do this,” I said, “but this conversation is long overdue.”

“What conversation?” he asked.

“I feel it is mydutyas Calli’s overly-protective foster daughter to do this.” I caught him in the crosshairs of my gaze, and when I spoke again, I used my angel voice. “What are your intentions toward my mother, General Silverstar?”

Calli slapped her hand to her face. “You are totally enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely,” I told her, smirking. “Feels nice to have the shoe on the other foot, doesn’t it?”

“Try not to stick that foot too far into your mouth, Leda,” Calli warned me.

I stuck my tongue out at her. Then I turned my serious gaze on General Silverstar. “Well?”

“You don’t have to answer her,” Calli told him. “Leda’s just enjoying torturing us. She likes being inappropriate.”

“On the contrary, Callista, I find this conversation perfectly appropriate to our situation,” he said calmly, like I hadn’t ruffled his feathers at all, literally or otherwise.

“You do?” Calli asked him, and she did sound a little ruffled.