For the better or the worse, I can't already visualize the tantrum Eve is going to throw back at home, but thankfully, I'm not the one who's going to have to deal with it.
Not like it really matters right now. I've got other things to worry about first.
James is petrified, and Sir Akerley seems to have swallowed a fly. It's like he can't decide whether to be over the moon or scared shitless, the whirlpool in his eyes constantly swirling and shifting, betraying his inner thoughts. It looks to be quite chaotic up there in his head, too.
Is Eve's reputation really that bad? Not like it'd surprise me, but still, I'm curious. What did she do to get that kind of reaction out of the vampire patriarch...?
"My Lord," oh, Sir Akerley has regained his ability to speak, "may I ask which Lord you are?"
Which? What which? That'd imply there's more than one patriarch in Jordan's clan. I can feel the bad premonition twist my bowels as I throw a questioning glance at Jordan. What the fuck is Sir Akerley talking about?
"My clan has six patriarchs and one matriarch." My husband is kind enough to enlighten me, but I might have preferred to remain oblivious.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
"No." A white lie would have been appreciated there, pal. "Scott, don't worry about it too much. Admittedly, their personalities are a little," he pauses to clear his throat, "unconventional, but I'd bet my wings that all of them will like you regardless. I mean, they're the kids' uncles. None of them will make things difficult for you if they know what's best for them."
To put it bluntly, the whole family is weak to the kids' tantrums, huh? And since Ellena and Elois have decided I'm their favorite person on Earth…
Although his words kind of let it slip that they are either my brothers-in-law or Eve's brothers. That's both a reassuring and terrifying prospect, 'cause family drama can be a real pain in the ass to handle at times.
Or perhaps, the kids have decided these patriarchs were their uncles regardless of their blood relationship. That's a very high possibility, too.
Whatever the case, I'd rather not meet any of them, thank you.
That aside, there's a thought that has begun to gnaw at me, and I can't help but eye Sir Akerley. Maybe asking with him around isn't the best course of action, but this tiny bit has to be clarified to decide what we do next, and it's not a question I can put off to later.
—Especially since I have no intention whatsoever to leave James in this den of vipers. I don't trust any of the vampires here, not after the sickening display they put on earlier.
It almost ruined my appetite. Almost.
"Sorry if this sounds rude, but even if these patriarchs swallow their pride and put up with me, won't they still be dissatisfied with James? As the kids have, well, made it clear that he's their uncle now, and no one's allowed to say otherwise."
"Don't worry, they won't be."
"…Your sight is telling you so?"
"Yes, and I know them well." Jordan shrugs, a mischievous light dancing in the depths of his eyes. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or a bad one. "If anything, they will just tease him for being the youngest."
I squint my eyes, but Jordan doesn't expand on the matter further. So, I get the cue and don't ask any more questions.
We can always talk later at home.
At the very least, James's position in my husband's clan has been spelled out without any doubt. Whoever doesn't get it has a hole for a brain.
I don't know about Sir Akerley, but as for me, I'd rather not get on someone's nerves when they have the backing of a patriarch and a matriarch from a high demon clan. Demons tend to be territorial with those they consider their people, and since James is very much liked by the kids, both Eve and Jordan have tacitly agreed to put him in the "people to protect" bracket.
If they haven't, I'll make sure they do.
Not liking demons doesn't mean Sir Akerley is going to wage a war against all of them whenever and wherever, as he's supposedly not a fool. From what I've gathered so far, people would rather not get on my husband's bad side.
Sir Akerley has been listening to our back-and-forth in silence. And while he hasn't said anything, I can tell he's a bit peeved from not having received an answer to his question, aka which Lord Jordan is.
He's not pressing the issue, though.
Good boy.
But, to be fair, I'm also curious, even if I know nothing about these lords he's talking about. It's not even all that common to have this many patriarchs in one single clan, as otherworldly beings usually tend to die out before reaching the patriarch status, or said patriarchs kill each other, and only the strongest is left. It's like the kind of the hill.
The more I learn about my husband and his species, the more I realize I don't know shit. Things that I was taught should never happen in a demon clan are happening every day.
"I think I need a drink right now…"
That's a whisper, but James has finally broken out of his stupor, and I can feel the corner of my lips curl up into a mocking grin. Alcohol isn't tea, and there's only one way for a vampire to actually savor a drink and get drunk.
"If you bring me a good old prized liquor, I don't mind sharing a bit of blood later."
James chokes onto his saliva before pinching the bridge of his nose.
Oh, come on, what's wrong now?
"Scott, as a Seer, you really shouldn't be going around feeding your blood to vampires!"
"How so?" I roll my eyes. "It's not like a Seer's blood is particularly special, no? Or is it?"
"Well…!" James frowns, looking puzzled as he cautiously throws a questioning glance at Sir Akerley, who proceeds to turn around and stare at Jordan, also with a questioning look on his face.
Guys… You don't know? You're the vampires for crying out loud! And weren't your double yapping about how nourishing my blood was earlier, Akerley?!
Well, guess if they don't know, I'm going to have to ask my knowledgeable husband instead, so I shift my gaze toward him. Mind enlightening us there?
"…Seers aren't exactly common," Jordan's mouth twitches, "and as far as I know, not many in the past had made it a hobby to feed their blood to vampires, so it's hard to say if it holds special properties or not. It wouldn't be surprising if it were more nourishing than your average human's blood, though, as Seers have an abundant pool of spiritual energy that constantly courses through their bodies to allow them to see through everything."
Fair enough. Spiritual energy would inevitably enrich the blood.
"Scott, I need to ask you something." James raises a hand, still avoiding looking at Jordan, although it seems like he can talk to me just fine. "Shouldn't Bryan be the Seer? Why is it you who, erm, you know? Oh my gosh, it's too much to take in in one go. Sorry, forgot I asked. I shouldn't be asking this—"
"Don't worry about it." I cut him off, not wanting the man to go down the rabbit hole. James can get oddly awkward at the weirdest time. "The nurse most likely switched us at birth, or my parents mixed us up at some point when we were infants. Twins aren't exactly easy to differentiate. I could as well be the baby named Bryan, and Bryan could as well be the baby named Scott."
Before Bryan got into a wheelchair, it was impossible to tell who was who, after all. We're way too alike, even for identical twins.
On the other hand, everyone in the hunter society and supernatural circle knows I'm the youngest, thanks to Miria's big mouth. That means no one would expect me to be a Seer. Some would expect Bryan to be, but never me.
It made hiding my ability easier, although I've been revealing it quite a bit since my marriage to Jordan.
Oh, whatever.
Like James, I've got the backing of a matriarch and a patriarch, whether I want to admit it or not.
In the end, I've got nothing left to fear.
I'd still rather not tell the whole world if unnecessary, though. I don't like handling pests.