Maldenis glanced at her and nodded. “Right,” he said. “Lead the way.”
Makron grinned like he had just been waiting to hear that and turned down the corridor. Charlie followed, clapping Maldenis on the shoulder as they moved.
“About time we found you,” Charlie said. “You disappeared.”
Makron snorted. “We figured you’d need at least a minute before the family started dragging you into meetings.”
Maldenis rolled his eyes. “You two could’ve given me more than a minute.”
“Not tonight,” Makron laughed. “You’re the center of attention.”
They made their way through the quieter wing of the building, the distant sound of music still drifting from the party behind them. Makron and Charlie fell into easy chatter as they went, the kind of casual, familiar talk that made it seem like they hadn’t seen Maldenis in a while. Even though it was just a couple of days.
“We still need a drink with you,” Charlie said. “A proper toast.”
“And the cousins are all asking where you disappeared to,” Makron added. “You can’t escape.”
Maldenis groaned. “I was hoping the party covered that.”
“Not even close,” Makron said cheerfully.
“You’re doomed,” Liora chuckled quietly beside him.
“Apparently,” Maldenis muttered back.
They turned a corner and approached a large carved door. Makron pushed it open without knocking. Inside, the atmosphere was very different from the noisy celebration.
The conversation in the room paused as they entered. Maldenis glanced around the table and realized there were four mothers present, including his own. The other three he didn’t know, older basilisk females with scales in varying shades.
Elian, Zara, and Hektor stepped in behind them a moment later, the door closing softly as the small group gathered.
Hektor spoke first.
“We’ve been looking for Zeus’s progeny,” he said.
“Melora has told us about the situation,” one of the mothers said softly.
“We should clarify something first.” Two of the females exchanged a look before continuing. “We were not among the basilisks who bore children by the god. But, that doesn’t mean we cannot help.”
“There are other mothers,” the first continued. “Other families who may know more.”
Zara leaned forward slightly. “If we can find them, we can begin identifying the children.”
“And warn them,” said Liora.
The room fell quiet, and Maldenis felt the weight of it settle because he knew they all understood exactly why that mattered.
Melora folded her hands on the table and looked at the other women before speaking. “We’ve discussed it,” she said calmly. “The four of us will begin reaching out to the other basilisk houses. Quietly at first. We’ll speak with the mothers, the families we trust, and get the word out.”
One of them nodded. “If there are children of Zeus among us, their mothers will know.”
“We’ll find them,” another added. “And we’ll make sure they’re prepared.”
“That’s all for tonight,” Melora turned her gaze back to him and Liora. “Go back to your celebration.”
The dismissal was clear.
Makron and Charlie were already shifting toward the door, clearly ready to return to the party. Maldenis gave a small nod to the mothers at the table before turning with the others.
