"Are you alright…?"
"Yes, of course I am." I pause to scoff, then add, "I'm perfectly fine. Peachy, even."
I can't help the sarcasm. Thankfully, Jordan is tactful enough not to point it out. Instead, he offers me one of his gentle, almost pampering smiles, the same sort he gives to Ellena and Elois.
Dude. I'm not your kid! It won't work on me!
"Eve should be arriving soon," Jordan says, glancing at his watch. "She's the punctual kind, so…"
How about not reminding me and letting me live in denial for a little longer, hm? Well, guess not.
"And just so we're clear, I haven't told her you're a Seer, and I also told the kids not to mention it to their mother. They seemed overly excited about the idea of hiding something from her and knowing something about you she doesn't, so rest assured, they shouldn't blabber your secret."
"You're not planning to tell her?"
"No, not unless you allow me to. Just try not to flinch when you meet her. Eve's quite perceptive, so be careful."
My surprise must show on my face because Jordan throws me another smile, but a reassuring one this time. I rub my neck and avert my eyes. It's strange… This guy's been more considerate than anyone I know, and he's a demon.
Is he really not putting up a front…?
"So, is her true form really that terrifying? For you to tell me not to flinch."
"Well, about that… I guess you could say it is. But considering you didn't react when you saw mine, you should be alright."
"Should be alright? What do you—"
"Mom's there!"
The children's happy scream cuts the conversation short, drawing my attention to them. They're currently bouncing before the wall-glass window, looking at the driveway.
There's a car coming in, the lights glaring inside the house. I feel my body tense, for some reason.
The car stops in the middle of the driveway, and Ellena's quick to turn around and bolt toward me to grab my hand. Her brother lets out a pitiful cry when he realizes what she's doing and follows in tow to snatch my other hand. The boy appears a little pouty, probably 'cause he's a heartbeat slower than his sister.
Guys, it's not a competition… Seriously, I'm here losing my mind, and these brats compete to see who's going to grab my hands first.
Sure, whatever.
There's no point resisting, and I comply with the kids as they pull me toward the door to greet their mother. Whether I like it or not, I do have to ultimately greet her, so it's better to have the kids stand in the front line and act as a shield.
Someone's chuckling at my expense behind me.
I pretend I haven't heard the prick.
Now, we wait before the entrance door, the kids clinging to my forearms like octopuses. I lower my eyes, staring at the fidgeting children. They look like brats on Christmas Eve, and I feel like the brand new toy they're excited to show off.
I wonder how long the novelty will last. Hopefully, they'll get bored soon enough.
Unlike them, I'm not all that thrilled about the prospect of meeting their mother. The anxiety has been gnawing at my stomach since yesterday, and it feels like a thousand worms are crawling in my bowels.
I wasn't even that nervous at the wedding.
Probably 'cause everything went too fast back then, but that's a small detail.
Eventually, the door opens.
"Hello, sweethearts!" The melodious voice echoes throughout the entrance hall as a tall woman kneels before the kids, a mountain of paper bags hanging by their handles on her arms. "Ah, come here, come here! Mom's missed you so much!"
Dafuq is this?!
I almost scream in utter disbelief, my mind blanking. But I somehow manage to keep a calm expression on, and the smile on my face only stiffens. It's alright. I can put that reaction on meeting her for the first time and being nervous.
While Eve's busy cuddling with her kids, who are still somehow clinging to me with one arm and hugging her with the other, I glance over my shoulder at Jordan. I don't shy away from throwing daggers at the demon, and the jerk responds with a nonchalant shrug.
Dude, a heads-up would have been appreciated.
Like, a lot.
It's one thing to know she's a noble demon—she has to be, in order to be able to bear Jordan's kids; it's another to know she's a frigging matriarch with eight pairs of wings, making her even older than Jordan, and more powerful, too.
She's of the same demon species as Jordan, a species hunters refer to as 'fallen angels'. It's an arbitrary name given to them because of their jet-black wings, which are similar to angels' in shape but not color. It's an odd moniker, considering they have nothing to do with angels.
In any case, her horns are as impressive as Jordan's, if not more, and her third eye shines with a platinum glint.
Eve's also very much humanoid in appearance, but let's say she's, well, curvy. It shows in her human form, too, and there's no doubt she draws eyes everywhere she goes. Especially in that well-tailored suit of hers and those high heels of hell.
Now, I also know who's the culprit behind the kids' unruly, curly hair.
"Mom, mom!" Ellena excitedly says, tugging at my arm. Girl, I'm happy being part of the background; no need to bring me into the conversation! "Let me present you Dad! Dad, this is Mom!"
"Hum, hello?"
Eve looks up, and a beautiful smile appears on her pretty face, her mesmerizing eyes turning into crescent moons.
It's entrancing, I must admit.
"Hi, there!"
She stands up in one swift movement, suddenly making me realize she's as tall as Jordan, and even taller with her heels. Like him, she towers over me.
"I don't know what you like, so I bought an assorted box. I hope you have a sweet tooth."
I don't, but let's say I do.
"Thank you—"
I'm cut short by a feather-like kiss planted on my cheek and a paper bag stuffed in my arms—the kids have finally let go to try to take a peek at what's inside the other bags. The newer gifts outshine the older one, it seems.
In any case, I'm currently frozen, still processing the overly intimate greeting. I don't think even my mother or grandmother ever greeted me with a kiss on the cheek back in the days. So, yes, I'm stunned.
I know, it's silly.
"Let's move to the living room, shall we?" Eve's voice snaps me out of my torpor. "I've got a lot of gifts for the kids today!"
"Shouldn't we eat dinner first?"
Looks like Jordan is the strict parental figure, but there are three people against him, and he sure as hell can't say no to his kids' puppy eyes. Not like it's my problem.
While they bicker about what to do, I glance inside the paper bag. The lid of the box is made of translucent plastic, allowing me to see the contents.
I can see four neat rows of bite-sized pies.