“Revealing our paranormal powers to a human,” Antonio, the elder of the phoenixes, supplied.
Mother Nature tapped her nose. “Since you’re the patriarch of the large phoenix brood in front of me and you know the law, I wonder why so many of your offspring violated it? Did you keep the law to yourself? Did you forget to teach it to them?”
“No, Goddess. I did teach them the law. But when young men reach a certain age, they need a mate. Since no paranormal is allowed to expose their special status, finding a compatible being who isn’t human becomes very complicated.”
She crossed her arms. “And yet some managed. Two of your sons aren’t here.”
“Ryan and Jayce. They were fortunate—sort of. Ryan died and reincarnated in phoenix form during a fire. His mate, Chloe, wouldn’t leave him. She was able to survive because she shifted into dragon form. They witnessed each other’s paranormal powers during a life-and-death situation.
“My other son, Jayce, has paranormal hearing that afforded him the ability to eavesdrop on a telephone conversation that identified his potential mate as a dragon. In both cases, they revealed themselves to a fellow paranormal being accidentally. Some would say they were lucky.”
“Yeah. Dragons and phoenixes. And now they can’t have children. Half a dragon and half a phoenix do not a creature make,” Gaia said.
Phoenix Gabe groaned.
“Ha! Your middle son knows what I mean. Don’t you? How many of you remember that he became a dragnix for a few harrowing moments?”
All the Fierros raised their hands.
“And how did that work out for you, middle child?”
“Not very well. The top half of me was a huge dragon trying to balance on the bottom half, consisting of my phoenix bird legs and tail. I tipped over a lot, and when I tried to fly, I couldn’t control my direction.”
Antonio cleared his throat. “May I point out that his situation wasn’t the result of interspecies mating. I believe that was your mis—”
“Be quiet!” Gaia roared. “Did I ask you to speak?”
Antonio shook his head.
She rose and began to pace. “Yes. Mistakes were made. And that happened because I was trying to be nice! I should have known better. I don’t usually listen to my children griping and moaning. It seems like that’s all they do. Well, no more Ms. Nice Guy.”
She took a deep, fortifying breath. “And some of you have found out the hard way how serious I am about mating with poor unsuspecting humans. For instance, Werewolf Nick, what did I say I would do if you revealed yourself to a human?”
“You said you’d send me to an island the size of a postage stamp.”
“And what did you do?”
“My animal instincts took over, and I marked my mate before telling her what I was. Then I had to tell her everything.”
“And what happened?”
“I found myself balancing on the ball of one foot on an island the size of a postage stamp.”
“Correct. Be warned, everyone. I have many more creative punishments up my floppy white sleeves, so you should remember that.”
Fate rose. “May I speak, Sister?”
Mother Nature stared at her a moment, then shrugged and returned to her throne. “Since I’ve named the defendants and mentioned the crime they’re accused of, I suppose you can. But please state the crime they’re accused of again. I’m afraid their little pea brains might not have retained the information.”
Fate bowed slightly. “Even though the paranormal entities present are accused of revealing their supernatural powers to humans—”
“Unsuspectinghumans. Don’t forget that part.”
“Yes. Regardless, I do not believe they had any choice in the matter.”
Mother Nature leaned her elbow on the armrest, supported her cheek on her fist, and tried to look bored—but she was listening. The problem had grown to epic proportions, and Gaia didn’t want a repeat of the last time a group of humans realized the city of Boston harbored several paranormal creatures.
Fate implored her with outstretched hands. “They are healthy para-humans with healthy sexual appetites. You created them that way, Sister.”
