Seven Years Later…
“Astasiya, what did I tell you about using your persuasive talent?” Sethios arched a single brow at the little blonde beside him.
She twisted her lips to the side, her green eyes thoughtful. “Not to use it on strangers,” she said slowly. “But I wanted that ice cream and he wouldn’t give it to me.”
“That’s not a reason to demand it.”
She folded her arms and tried to raise her brow back at him. “But you demand Mom do things alllll the time that she doesn’t want to do because you want something.”
Caro bit her lip to keep from smiling, but he felt her amusement through the bond.
Cute, he thought at her before kneeling to his daughter’s level. “What I do with your mom is very different and private. Do I persuade strangers?”
Yes, Caro sent through their bond. Or he assumed that’s what she was trying to say to him since he received a vision of her nodding repeatedly.
Not. Helping. He sent back to her.
Astasiya pinched her lips again and slowly shook her head. “We don’t show strangers.”
“And why don’t we persuade strangers?” he asked, voice gentle.
“ ’Cause they don’t understand and can make bad things happen.”
Close enough. “Good girl.” Having a daughter who could force people to do her bidding was not easy. Fortunately, Astasiya was far more intelligent than a typical human child. She didn’t fully understand her differences but grasped enough to keep her special talents hidden.
Usually, anyway.
He stood and held out his hand for her. “Want to practice later?”
Her green eyes sparkled with excitement. “Yeah!”
Caro and Sethios tried to work with her every day on her persuasive talents. The others either didn’t need fostering or weren’t active yet. Thank the Fates for that because training a child how to properly use compulsion wasn’t easy.
“Did he notice anything?” Caro asked as they began walking toward their car.
“Yes, but I handled it.” By suggesting rather forcefully that his daughter was just adorable and hard to refuse. The older man had agreed with a bemused smile, none the wiser.
“Good. We need…” Her voice trailed off at the sight of her son leaning against their car in angelic form. His blue-and-white wings protruded proudly from his back as he observed the trio with his trademark stoicism. Except a hint of pain lurked in his gaze as he eyed his mother.
Caro glanced around the parking lot before whispering, “Be back in a moment.” She misted into her ethereal form to join her son while Astasiya glanced around in alarm.
“Gah!” His daughter stomped her foot in frustration. “Mom always cheats at hide-and-seek! She didn’t even say we were playing.”
He chuckled. “She’s just gone off to talk to an old friend.” They had collectively agreed not to introduce Astasiya to Gabriel until a later point in her life. She had enough questions about her heritage, and the Seraphim would only increase her confusion. Fortunately, she wouldn’t be able to see him or any others of her kind until she grew into her own misting abilities.
“An angel friend?” Astasiya whispered loudly.
“Yes.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “I’m sure she’ll be back in…” His voice trailed off as a shock of pain traveled through the bond, hitting him directly in the chest.
“Mom!” Astasiya called out, obviously having felt it too. She tried to run toward the car, having clearly sensed where Caro had misted to, but Sethios held her back while catching his angel’s gaze. Abject horror colored her expression as Gabriel disappeared.
He lifted Astasiya into his arms and walked swiftly to Caro. “What is it?”
“Seven years,” she whispered, her skin pale as she took her corporeal form. “It’s time.”
Astasiya held out her hands for Caro, requiring her touch after sensing her mother’s pain.
“I’m okay, little angel,” Caro assured. “I’m okay.”
