Page 129 of Siren’s Secret

By some miracle, they managed to keep things civil until the main course.

“What do you mean, a teacher attacked you in class, Wayla? You can’t afford to show weakness like that! I expected better of you,” Grandfather said.

“Really, Wayla. People must be thinking a stormbringer heir is acting like a weakling,” Grandmother added, disappointment clear in her tone.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Marc open his mouth to argue something.

“I think they respect the woman who stood up for the neutral ground and risked injury defending against the assailants,” Irishen said smoothly, knowing exactly how to mollify her grandparents. She was going to suck his cock until he fell unconscious for that. They shared a glance and Wave wondered how much of her resolve and plans he could infer from the bond. Certainly, the flare of lust.

“Well, yes. That was well done, Wayla,” Grandfather agreed, sipping his wine. It seemed their glasses never ran empty and Wave was afraid to even touch her own. She couldn’t risk losing even a tiniest bit of her control over her powers now.

“So.” Wave cleared her throat. “As you can see. I am well taken care of. The house is warded and I have everything I need here—”

“You were poisoned, Granddaughter,” Grandmother cut her off.

“But it wasn’t in this house. I’ve taken precautions to—”

“You live with twelve males and call that proper?” Grandmother lifted one impeccable eyebrow at her.

“Thirteen,” Wave corrected gleefully. “And I’m not fucking all of them, if that’s got you worried.”

“You know very well that—”

“Ladies!” Lucifer broke in. “Please.”

“We need to take the poisoning attempt seriously, Wayla. You are the recognized heir apparent now and such a blatant attack on our authority can’t go unanswered.” Grandfather glared at her.

“And surrounding me with guards is the show of strength you want to display? Make me look scared and too weak to go anywhere without an armed escort?” Wave kept her tone mild and forked some of the steak in her mouth. She had no idea what animal or the realm it was from, since she couldn’t taste a thing.

“Wayla is taking shielding lessons from me,” Marc cut in. “And she’s starting combat lessons with Grant next week. I would think making her stronger is a better option than a bunch of guards who can be bought and paid for.”

Not as smooth as Irishen, but her bonded was smart and evoking their pride and hunger for an even stronger heir might work in Wave’s favor.

“Yes, I agree,” Lucifer said. “I was about to suggest that Esserieh take up training Wayla again. He did make good progress with her before, and I can spare him for an hour or two every now and then.”

“She also is not walking around alone,” Jarred decided to pile on. “One of us or her friends is with her at all times. Being discreet about such things is important when operating on the neutral ground, wouldn’t you agree, Lord Stormwell?”

Well, her mates were certainly pulling their weight in this fight. Wave felt a flare of pride and affection when she looked down at the table, meeting their eyes one by one.

“What do you say, Henney?” Lucifer asked. “The attempt was unsuccessful after all, and the males did take good care of her afterward and added security measures.”

“I wouldn’t want to tax Brokenstar’s time too much,” Grandfather mused, but Wave could read the glint in his eyes. He was getting exactly what he had wanted. More concessions from the Lord of Hell. What Wave couldn’t figure out, however, was why Lucifer was capitulating so easily.

“I’ll manage,” Esserieh said gruffly and his sharp glare made Wave keep her mouth shut. “Tomorrow morning at five, I expect you to be ready to train, Lady Stormwell.”

“Of course, Lord Brokenstar,” Wave agreed easily. If there was anyone she trusted to keep her alive, it was Uncle Essi. Her easy acceptance made Grandfather’s eyes narrow and Wave sighed. “I mean, oh no! Not at five o’clock! The horror.”

That got several chuckles around the table. Not her grandparents, but she hadn’t expected anything from them. They slipped back to mindless polite discussion for the rest of the meal, until the dessert.

There was a restless energy swirling around Lucifer and a smug—I know more than you, little girl—look on her grandfather’s face. It kept her nerves on edge and eyes flickering from face to face, trying to decipher what else could be going on.

Once they finished the delicious pastries and the plates were cleared away by Yash and Hazard, Lucifer finally spoke.

“There’s a second reason for this visit.”

Hellion immediately tensed, and the others shifted their attention to the Lord of Hell. Even Esserieh looked wary when he glanced at Wave. Only her grandfather looked satisfied, while her grandmother’s lips were pinched.

“And what would that be?” Wave asked softly, bracing. Lucifer ignored her and focused on his son, who was glaring fiercely.