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Hah, suddenly she wasn’tdreading this evening. In fact, it might prove rather interesting, watchingKaleb finally go up against two obstacles that he couldn’t charm, bluff orcoerce.
It was galling tothink that any aspect of Kaleb had rubbed off on her. But suddenly Shaw wasfeeling rather optimistic about this evening. Looking forward to it even. OneConflict Demon versus a battle-hardened Valkyrie General and an Ancient God ofthe Dawn Hunt.
Quite frankly shedidn’t think the dimple was going to cut it. But Shaw couldn’t deny that shewas actually looking forward to watching Kaleb try. Tonight might even provefun. By the Sword, the Demon really was rubbing off on her. Next, she’d beturning lemons into lemonade. Smiling rather than smiting. And saying inanethings likethank you, andhave a good day now.
Fuck the creamcarpets at Headquarters. She should totally be lopping off the Demon’s head.But no, she had to go to dinner at her parents and introduce them to oneannoying, irritating, never stops smiling or talking, boil on her butt.Excellent, there was the familiar pessimistic cloud that usually coloured herthoughts and actions. She was back, thank Freyja, and no sunshiny Demon wasgoing to turn her frown upside down. It was definitely past time Kaleb met herparents.
Chapter Twelve
“Mom. Dad. Meetthe bane of my existence.”
“Hey.” Kalebprotested.
“Sorry, I meantcannon fodder.”
“Kaleb.” Steppingforward, offering his hand, abruptly freezing place. For the first time inKaleb’s existence, he experienced a frisson of fear race through his gut,followed by a spike of what he thought might be nervousness. It probably hadsomething to do with the twin looks of decidedly icy assessment currently beingdirected his way. His hand dropping to his side… unshaken. Kaleb found himselffighting the alien urge to take a small step to the side and use Shaw as aValkyrie shield. No, he was better than this, Demon up. “It’s an absolutepleasure to meet you both. I must say, it’s been a real privilege to work witha Valkyrie of Shaw’s calibre for the last few days.”
“Let’s go out onthe deck.”
Ah, perhaps aglimmer of warmth from Shaw’s mother. Leading the way through the light airyranch style home, with its warm wood floors. The walls mostly full of bookcasesand where there weren’t bookcases there were weapons displayed. Most depictingan African heritage, the majority looking incredibly old. Although there were afew futuristic ones in the mix that Kaleb was positive were designed by theiryoungest daughter, Zuri.
The view from theback deck was stunning, as the house over looked a lush green canyon with ariver winding along the very base. No sign of any neighbours. Not exactly agood thing, Kaleb decided, as Shaw’s parents continued to eye him as if he werevermin… or perhaps prey. He had the distinct feeling that either one of theolder Bengalas would have no problem in tossing him over the railing andhappily continuing on with their family dinner plans.
Whilst their gazesof icy assessment were exact copies, the couple couldn’t have been moredifferent in appearance. Shaw’s mother; tall, curvy, dressed in casual khakipants and a white blouse. Her dark golden hair cascading in waves down her backto her shoulder blades. Her skin tone tinged with gold, highlighting her Moroccanancestry. She would be an impressive sight on the battlefield attired in thetraditional golden armour of the Valkyries. Shaw clearly having inherited thepale green colour of her eyes from her mother.
Mr Begala wasanother matter entirely. Where his mate was the golden setting sun, he was thedark twilight just a second before the dawn. As tall as Kaleb, but whippetslim. The type of muscular slimness of a long distance runner… or a hunter whowould never tire. His skin tone a few shades lighter than midnight. His hairshorn almost to the scalp. Kaleb would lay good money that Shaw had inheritedher tightly coiled curls from her father. Who obviously kept his under controlby banishing them regularly. The man’s eyes were unusual. The colour of the dawnsky just before the sun hit the horizon of a morning. Grey. But so pale theywere almost but not quite colourless. There was disturbing power there, as theygazed at Kaleb, assessing, clearly determining the quickest death strike totake him out.
That alien feelingof fear would not recede, damn it.
“Sit. I’mChristina. This is Tore. Drink?”
Kaleb sat in ablue adirondack chair decorated with green cushions. About to make a commentabout Tore’s name being the same as the African God of the Dawn Hunt.Thankfully his synapses fired and he connected the ancient African weaponsdecorating the walls inside together with the power that radiated from thosegrey eyes. Lucifer’s left ball, Shaw’s dad was a God.
Worse, a God ofthe Hunt. Fuck.
At least Christina,Shaw’s mother, was slightly thawing, enough to offer Kaleb a seat and a drink.Nodding his head in thanks as a large glass of ale was handed over. Everyonefollowing his example and taking a seat, silence falling over them with anawkward thud.
Kaleb actuallyhesitated to start talking. He had a horrible suspicion that his usualfascinating and amusing tales would go down like a giant whose spine had justbeen severed.
“How did you twocome to be working together?” Christina enquired, her tone icier than the aleshe was drinking.
Okay, perhapsKaleb hadn’t made any inroads there whatsoever. But still, Christina had askedhim a question. Thankfully the tale of his and Shaw’s adventures was a safetopic.
“Well, it allstarted when Shaw broke into my office, interrupting an assassination attempt-”
“I thought he waswrestling with his lover and participating in a bout of rough sex.” Shawoffered. Both her parents nodding as they eyed Kaleb as if to say, yeah, wecould totally see how you would think that.
“But I wasn’t.Really. It was a Gxthian scout who’d managed to break through my Portal locksand was in the process of throttling me-”
“You couldn’tdispatch a single Gxthian by yourself?”
Wow, Tore was sounimpressed with Kaleb he barely bothered to tinge his words with contempt.Damn, this audience was a tough one. “He snuck up behind me. The angle wasbad.” Kaleb resisted hard the urge to defend himself any more than that.“Thankfully Shaw appeared and soon after I dispatched him speedily. We made ahasty exit. My car blew up. I threw my lot in with Shaw, agreeing to help hercomplete the list of items her boss, Stephanie, needs her to perform whilst sheis on maternity leave in exchange for your daughter’s protection for ten days.”Whew, the end.
Kaleb took a bigdrink. Time for someone else to talk. Not him, he was keeping his mouth shutfor the rest of the evening. He was pretty sure that would be the only way tosurvive. He really had no wish to see what the bottom of the deep ravine behindthe house looked like up close and personal.
“You’re forgettingthe blackmail.” Shaw reminded, rather helpfully she thought.
Two sets ofjudgemental eyes zeroed in, pinning Kaleb in place. “Blackmail?”
