“I wouldn’t know what to do.”
Melora’s golden gaze zeroed in on him, sharp and assessing. “You have a way with others, my son. You know how to talk to them. How to persuade them. And most of all, you also know when to stay quiet and listen, in order to draw them to your side. Why do you think your business is successful? Why do customers want to come to your bar and stay and talk? Because they know it is a safe place.”
Maldenis couldn’t have been more shocked if his mother suddenly began dancing the tango. He was about to open his mouth when Liora spoke up.
“That’s true, you know.” There was no hint of sarcasm or dry humor in her words. “And you’re like a dog with a bone when you want something.”
A small, mysterious smile tugged at Melora’s lips. “Your wife agrees.”
His wife.
“It makes sense,” Perseus said. “Much like Hektor, Maldenis is from Vale Crossing. Locals will trust him more and he’s not a Drakkon. However, you will still need a minotaur guide. Thankfully, we found you one. A friend of a friend.” He paused, then continued. “Of our friend.”
“That’s quite a distant connection,” Hektor commented.
“Ourfriend that Perseus is referring to is his sister’s mate, Lord Eros,” Medusa clarified. “But we don’t know who he is, exactly. We only know his name. Brontaios of the Dreifhorn Clan. He runs an underground gambling ring in his town. Your first task is to find him and convince him to help you. Once you do, it’ll all be smooth sailing from there.”
“Why don’t you ask Lord Eros to ask his friend to call him up?” Liora said. “Make this all easier.”
“It doesn’t quite work that way,” Maldenis said. “Minotaurs really don’t like outsiders getting into their clan business.”
“This isn’t business, it’s family,” Zara pointed out. “We are trying to help them.”
“Family is business,” Medusa piped in. “Just like in that movie.”
The gorgon’s movie comparison from earlier was close enough that the triplets looked at each other, seemingly understanding what they were trying to convey.
Liora rubbed her palms on her thighs, then pushed herself up. “Alright then, we’ll find this Brontaios first. When do we leave?”
“Today, as soon as you check out,” Melora said. “I’ve secured a vehicle for you to use, one that can accommodate you all, including Maldenis. You should reach the Ridge by late afternoon if you leave after lunch.”
“So soon?” Maldenis groaned.
“The party is over, son,” she said. “The real work begins.”
They spoke for a few more minutes, with Medusa and Perseus updating them on other possible leads, as well as office business that needed their attention. Once they were done, they said their goodbyes and finished the meeting.
Melora gathered the laptop, then shuttled over toward them, her gaze landing on Liora. “Good luck, you will need it.”
Liora glanced at Maldenis. “I sure will.”
“Hey,” he protested. “I’m not that bad.”
A ghost of a smile passed over his mother’s lips, and for a moment, he saw her expression soften. “No, my son. You are not.” Then, that usual no-nonsense mask slipped on. “I must leave now, as I have another mission coming up. I will see you all soon.” And with that, she sauntered off, disappearing out the doors of the suite.
A strange pang filled Maldenis’s chest as he watched his mother leave. Those words she had said earlier…and the ones at the meeting with the elders…It sounded like she really meant them.
“I guess this is going to be our honeymoon,” Liora said, bumping into his side playfully.
“Is it now?” Crossing his arms over his chest, he leaned his face down close to hers. “Does that mean I’m going to get lucky on this trip? Are you gonna—OW!”
Pain shot up his body as her foot landed on the tip of his tail.
“Oops! Sorry,” Liora raised her hands in mock apology, then side-stepped him. “Didn’t see your tail there. You really should be careful about where you put that thing.”
“I know where you like that thing,” he countered.
She turned bright red as her brother and sister snickered behind her. He was half expecting an insult, but to his surprise, she said, “I guess I walked into that one.”
