Now, I get why he's added me to the family tree. It's for the blood pact. That thing can't be modified willy-nilly, but if said modification concerns a simple update about an already existing clause, that's another story.
Like, let's say, the addition of a new member to a family tree. You know? The one the signatories have sworn allegiance to.
Logically speaking, if I'd been in Jordan's shoes when I first wrote that pact, I'd have written a clause that allows for a modification on this part at the discretion of the beholder.
Family trees aren't static, after all.
Alright. That makes sense. If anything, that's the fastest way to ensure my protection, as creating a new blood pact can be strenuous and time-consuming. A contract with a demon can't be done in the snap of a finger, regardless of whatever movies say. Fiction always makes things seem so much easier than in real life.
Still, a blood pact is the best insurance, as it can't be broken unless you're more powerful than the beholder, and considering Jordan's a patriarch, I highly doubt anyone from the staff can break free from it.
So, it means my secret is safe in this house. Great. I can breathe.
But it doesn't change the fact that the guy's nuts. Once a name gets added to a demon's family tree, it's almost impossible to write it off, not until the being's death. That's why noble demons are very careful about who gets included in the register, and who doesn't get to.
From what I've heard, most of them don't even add their own flesh and blood if they're deemed unfit. Never mind partners. They rarely get to appear in the family trees.
And yet, I get to be on it.
It doesn't make any sense.
Demons are a chaotic bunch, but they also can be very picky about lineage and the purity and strength of the bloodline. Family trees are restricted to the best of the best. I might be a Seer, but that's not enough to get me a place there. I'm well aware of that.
So, the underlying meanings behind what Jordan's done are huge—crazy, even.
…I don't want to think about what it entails. Not now.
I've got another matter on my mind that I need to address first. Because this can't go on, or I'll be driven mad. I need to see the ugliness behind the gentle façade; I refuse to believe Jordan's helping me out of the goodness of his heart.
No one's that selfless.
The two demons have been discussing something related to clauses in blood pacts, using technical terms that are no better than gibberish to me. Eve's still blabbering when I speak up, cutting her off. I don't care.
"…Why?"
"Hm?"
"Don't play dumb!" I raise my voice. I know I should keep calm, and I know I shouldn't snap at beings like Jordan and Eve. Yet, I still can't help it. "Why did you add me to your family tree just to update a goddamn blood pact…? Are you out of your mind?!"
"No, I'm even rather sound of mind, I'd say."
Jordan's smile deepens, and my mood sours even more. Liar.
"Don't try to be smart with me. There's no way in hell you added me to your family tree for no reason other than protecting me. What are you scheming?"
"I'm really not scheming anything, though. Some of my staff don't know how to hold their tongues, so it's better to take some precautions. I wouldn't have gone as far if, let's say, you were a normal human being, but you're not. Jeopardizing your safety isn't in my attention, and adding you to my family tree doesn't do you any harm. It's not a public thing, after all."
"I know that, and that's the problem! There's no drawback for me, whereas for you… for you, it's just drawbacks over drawbacks."
"Like I said—"
"Don't you dare try to bullshit me with something like 'you're my responsibility now that we're married and I must ensure your safety'! I'm not naïve enough to believe that crap!"
At last, Jordan appears stunned. He opens his mouth, then closes it. Has the cat gotten his tongue now, huh?
"Oh my, you guys have only been married for two days, and you're already having a lovers' quarrel?"
Eve just has to add oil to the fire.
"WE'RE NOT HAVING A LOVERS' QUARREL!"
My scream echoes throughout the dining room, taunting me.
I usually don't shout.
No, I rarely do.
Yet somehow, I can't control my voice tonight. It's impossible for me not to lose my cool. Jordan has been acting too considerate, too kind. Even Eve has been nothing but sweet to me. It's weird, it's not normal, I hate it.
"Scott, I have a question for you: what do you know about our species?"
Eve breaks the heavy silence with a question; Jordan doesn't speak, staring at the whiskey in his glass instead.
The sudden change in topic takes me aback. Still, I decide to answer. It might help me regain some composure.
"Nothing much, actually. Hunters call you 'fallen angels'. According to the books, your population has always been relatively low. Other than that, it's been recorded that you're high-ranked demons whose longevity and strength go hand-in-hand with your noble standing. Why?"
"Because you don't seem to know much about us. For example, do you have any idea what that third eye of ours is for?"
Eve taps on her forehead, right beside where her third eye would be if she were in her true form. I've grown too agitated, and the shadow of it looms over her, crystal clear to me.
The platinum of the iris seems to shine with a mocking glint.
…Besides being creepy? No, I have no idea what that third eye could be for. So, I shake my head.
"You see, it is said that our ancestors, the primordial demons of our species, if you prefer, could see the endless possibilities that the future holds with their third eyes. According to legends, they have helped the first demon king to reign over the demon realm and establish order throughout every species and subspecies that make up demons. They're the ones who paved the way to the human world, and the ones who taught us how to behave up here."
"…Huh?"
"Of course, these are only legends, and we don't have clairvoyance ability, so to speak."
A sigh of relief escapes me. I haven't noticed I've been holding my breath.
"However, we do perceive things. Often, strong feelings or emotions we might experience in the future come to us. Sometimes, even flashes of possible events that will leave a lasting impression on us, whether good or bad, also appear before our eyes. It's not something we can control, and it gets triggered randomly, for different reasons, often due to something related to the feelings, emotions, or events."
Something's started to twist my stomach, making knots with my bowels. For some reason, I can already tell what she's going to say next.
"Do you want to know what I felt when I saw you earlier?"
I don't answer. Because, no, I don't want to know.
She tells me, anyway.
"A strong affection. Mind you, nothing like love between lovers, but a very, very strong affection."
Somehow, it's hard to breathe.
"I believe the children felt that way, too, when they met you. But unlike I or Jordan, they can't yet differentiate between the present and the future. To them, you're already as important as you'd have one day become. They call you dad because you were seen as such in the future they perceived."
What is she even saying? I'm lost.
"So, if you're wondering why the kids are clingy, why I'm being open with you, or why Jordan's being considerate of you, the answer to these questions is the same."
I feel my bottom lip tremble, so I bite it. It's alright, I'm fine.
"It's because we already know that, one day, you'll be someone important to us, someone we do not want to lose. That's why we feel a deep connection to you and behave the way we do. Even if there are a few drawbacks along the way, neither Jordan nor I will mind."
What the hell is she even saying? It sounds like nothing more than a bunch of nonsense in my ears.
"Oh, honey, don't stress too much about it. You don't have to reciprocate the feeling; if you want to keep your distance and mind your own business, that's fine by us. We'll wait for your feelings to, hopefully, catch up to ours in due time. Really, don't worry, and take it slow."
Take it slow…?
How am I supposed to take it slow when life keeps throwing things in my face without giving me any sort of respite whatsoever?
Gosh, I'm tired. Very, very tired.