Page 101 of Witchbane

“Outside,” Ari said, confidently. “Papa says no Ari outside.”

Why was that? Were there fae attacking? I didn’t sense any panic in the bonds. A disturbing quiet settled over the ties. “We listen to Papa, don’t we?”

Ari nodded as we made our way out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Korissa was in the kitchen with Toby. They seemed to be cooking, but I couldn’t make out the mash of scents. I did smell grease, possibly avocado oil and maybe a bit of flour?

“Ari, you didn’t wake Daddy, did you?” Korissa asked.

“Nope. But Daddy doesn’t like my coloring book. He had oopsie.”

It was a weird word I’d have to ask Liam about. It sounded more like I’d wet my pants than randomly setting a book on fire. I wasn’t sure which would have been worse. I held the book up for Korissa and Toby to see the cover.

“Never mind the fire damage, that was a bit of an unexpected reaction to my anger. Temper flare and all that? I’ll have to work on that. I’m more concerned about the words Ari was coloring.”

Korissa’s mouth gaped open. Toby didn’t seem surprised.

“Ari says this was a gift from Carl,” I told them. “Can we make sure all futuregiftsfrom Carl are screened?”

Korissa nodded. “I still have a few that are a bit less controversial, as long as you don’t mind rainbow ponies or Barbies?” Korissa said as she turned, wiped her hand on a towel, and held her arms out for Ari. “Any of those sound fun for you, Ari?”

“Rainbow ponies? Can ponies be rainbow? I’d like a rainbow pony.”

“How about you can color the perfect one to show Papa.”

Ari reached for Korissa, half lunging into her arms, but she held them firmly.

“It’s fine,” Korissa said looking at me. “I’ve got Ari. They were napping. Must have woken before you. Dad’s out back. Bunkhouse. With guests out there. Best you get moving if you’re going to join them before your mother realizes you’re awake.”

The dark sky said it was evening; did that mean the remaining vampires were up and moving? Was that what Liam was dealing with? I blinked at Korissa. My mother was still here? After all that happened?

“My mother too,” Korissa added.

Fuck my life. Escaping to Underhill while it was collapsing obviously wasn’t enough. Korissa must have understood from my gaze because she said, “I’ve got Ari. Neither of them know what to do about Ari, bring gifts and snuggles, or worry that Ari isn’t fitting into a gender box. Did you know my mother has asked three times whether Ari is a girl or a boy?”

“Ari is Ari.” And someone else was on my shit list for the day.

“I’m Ari,” Ari mimicked.

“And what’s in your pants?” Korissa teased.

“Phenomenal cosmic powers,” Ari replied pretending to be a familiar blue genie.

Toby snorted.

“Someone has watchedAladdintoo many times?” I wondered.

“Dad added the Disney channel,” Korissa agreed. “It’s more of an app. And you can watch the same thing over and over.”

I gaped. “Super.”

“Snow queen next,” Toby said. “Nick laughs when Ari sings.”

“My mom made me watchVeggie Talesover and over as a kid,” Korissa said.

“News for you,” I told her. “You’re still a kid.”

She shook her head. “Teenager. Means emo is cool.”

“Emo was never cool,” I disagreed. “Don’t teach my kid emo.”