Page 256 of Sky’s Edge

And Tanyn and I were official.

So we were done celebrating Laura and Aleksei.

It was time to celebrate something else.

And I was all in.

Chapter 26

Home

My parents’ butler, Johnson, did not meet our craft when we landed at their house late the next morning.

Mom and Dad were there.

After we alighted the UtiliSport (again, on loan from the embassy)—and by “we,” that included Manny and Zyr—Mom rushed me, crying, “There’s my little girl.”

I was rolling my eyes as she hugged me like I’d been gone for five years when I’d seen her and Dad at the party last night.

Zyra, who came out on my side, was just smiling.

“And hello again Zyra,” Mom exclaimed after she let me go. “Oh my goodness, I’m so happy to host you in our home!”

Zyra got a hug (Mom was so human), but she didn’t seem to mind.

I got a cheek kiss from Dad.

Introductions had been performed last night, so this morning there were handshakes (and Mangold got a hug from Mom too), then we went inside.

As we made the main floor, all of a sudden, I had a strange feeling, one I didn’t like.

Zyra ooed and aahed over the art and décor. Dad, Tanyn and Mangold were talking and chuckling. Everyone seemed chill.

But my parents’ house was no citadel.

It was beautiful, and it wasn’t exactly cold and unwelcoming, but it was highly curated and the wealth behind it couldn’t be missed.

There were no warm, cozy fires nor throws to curl up in or even armrests to lay your head on.

So what were Zyra and Mangold going to think about my family? How I grew up?

On this thought, Tanyn was at my side, circling my waist with his arm.

“What’s up?” he asked quietly.

Of course he felt my unease.

“I want them to like each other.”

Tanyn shot me a look of surprise, then his expression softened.

“Baby, give your parents some credit,” he advised. “And Manny and Zyr some too.”

“Oh, sweet Lilith,” Zyra exclaimed, gaining Tanyn and my attention. She was standing by a sculpture. “This came from your gallery, Cat?” she asked. “It’s stunning!” she exclaimed before I could answer.

Mom was smiling adoringly at me.

Manny was staring bemusedly at the sculpture, which did, indeed, come from my gallery (Mom and Dad were two of my biggest clients, and I held zero shame at the nepotism).