Chapter 411: Chapter 411

Chapter 411

Lanie

“So, it’s true. Myrna from the school called me to let me know all the gory details, but as she’s well-

known to be a bit of a gossip, I had to admit I took most of it with a grain of salt.” Malachi tossed his head back with

laughter.

“Did you know this was a possibility?” I asked him sternly. “If you did, I could’ve used a heads up,

Grandfather.”

He pulled me into a hug, patting my back the way you would a child having a temper. I shrugged away from the embrace, which felt more annoying than comforting.

“There is so much I do not know about Celestials.

Enough to fill a book, I’d say.” He lifted an eyebrow at me. “Too bad the only textbook we know of went

missing/

crossed my arms over my chest with a sigh. “We aren’t here to talk about me or any book. Stella has

some things she wants to discuss with you.”

She hadn’t told me what she wanted to talk to him about, but then again, I hadn’t asked. That was something I was rapidly having to learn about being mother to a Celestial-she would tell me what she knew I

needed to know.

I had to trust her.

“I can hardly wait to hear all about it. Your transformation must have been magnificent. Myrna said you

stunned the entire school into silence.”

“It didn’t happen in front of the entire school,”

Stella replied with the same calm serenity she’d been displaying since yesterday.

For a moment, Malachi’s expression flickered into shadows. Then it brightened as he spoke in a forcedly cheerful voice.

“Stella, Stella, Stella. You’ve surprised us all once again. How many more surprises do you have in store?”

“If I told you,” she said with a quirking smile, “they wouldn’t be surprises.”

Malachi took her into his arms and danced her around the living room of his villa. They laughed together as he spun her so fast that they became a blur. When they came to a stop, Stella shook her head and kissed his cheek. Her eyes flashed red for a moment, echoing what I’d seen his do. I had thought she looked like her father, but now I could see a lot of Malachi in her too, and not just the color of her eyes.

“She favors you,” Malachi said, holding her at arms length. He chucked her under the chin, and she

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giggled, ducking away.

Sho

does?” I asked in surprise, and with a bit of joy, too.

“She has your grace,” he noted as he circled around her. “Your poise. Your strength, I should also think.

Her features belong to her father, aside from those eyes. But the rest of her is her mother almost entirely.”

“She’s entirely herself, no matter who she looks like,” corrected him.

“With all the blessings of your Moon Goddess…along with many others. But both of you, come in.

Enough chitter-chatter. You’ve come for a purpose. Can I offer some refreshment?”

“We aren’t here for snacks, Malachi.” Stella’s voice was soft with laughter, but it had a bit of an edge.

“There are some things we need to make clear.”

“Oh, so now you’re all grown up, you think you know it all, eh?” Malachi laughed and backed away with his/

hands up.

Stella didn’t move. “I am a Celestial. I know whatever needs to be known.”

His expression went from amused to solemn. Then his eyes narrowed, flashing crimson. His lips curled to

reveal his fangs. His gaze flicked to me.

“You can’t be that grownup if you had to bring along your mummy for support,” he shot at her, but there was a sense of inevitability in his tone. He sighed and waved a hand toward the couch. “You might as well

have a seat. Get this over with.”

Stella didn’t rise to his

attempt at an insult, and I was proud of her for that. I might not have had as many

years to raise her as I’d expected to have when I found out I was pregnant, but I was happy to see that at least

some of my lessons had landed.

We each took our seats. To my silent curiosity, my grandfather looked tense. He literally sat on the edge

of his seat. He linked his fingers together, palms pressing against each other, like he was trying hard to not

clench his hands into fists.

“I’ll get right to it,” my daughter began

many eyes, and I am not so easily

dece

“You may have everyone here in Brightsky fooled, but I see with

His eyes narrowed. “It’s no deceit to give everyone the illusion they crave, child. And yes, despite your size and your talents, you are still a child to me.”

Stella didn’t take the bait this time, either.

“Nevertheless, there’s no point in keeping up the pretense with me or my family.”

“Why is that?” he asked, leaning forward. “What is it that you’ve seen?”

“Hello? Anyone want to tell me what you’re talking about?” I demanded.

They both turned to me, and I realized something upsetting. In their battle of words, they’d both forgotten

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I was there.