Reunions

DELLA

“We better get going. Della’s parents are going to be arriving soon,” Tenn reminds us.

“They’re what?!” I shriek, a wave of sudden fear crashes through me before remembering he means Zeve and my bio dad. Fuck, I didn’t need that heart attack. “Sorry.” I wince. “For a moment I thought you meant my other parents. You called Zeve?”

“Of course I did. If someone is trying to kill you, you call family,” Tenn states like it’s the obvious solution. I mean, I guess it is to normal people who have decent families.

“Okay, let’s go.” I nod. Micha takes me under his arm and guides me back to the cell.

“Oh, you still have detention tonight.” Tenn winks, then turns to glare at the rest of the guys, but specifically Sorin. “Alone,” he says firmly, making me giggle.

“And what are we going to be doing, Dr. Tenn?” I ask.

“I’m taking you out for dinner,” he admits before walking through the mirror.

Like a date? I smile as I follow him to his office. I’m really liking this new side of The Doctor.

“Della!” A female voice crows. I look up and see Zeve grinning broadly as I enter the office, happy bursts of orange sparking through her aura.

A man with the same golden eyes as mine materializes next to Zeve, his hand on her waist. He’s tall, with buzzed dark hair. He doesn’t have an aura. It makes him look…empty. It’s freaking me out.

“Hello, Della, I’m your dad.” He smiles at me.

“Um…hi,” I mumble nervously. We all just stand there. Awkwardly. Very awkwardly.

Thank God for Sorin. “So! What are we going to do about Raziel?” he asks cheerfully. I squeeze his hand in thanks.

“Oh, I’ll be dealing with him,” my father says.

“How?” I ask.

“I’ve known him for ages. I’ll talk with him.” He smiles calmly, as if that will solve everything. What?

“That’s not good enough,” I say, folding my arms over my chest.

“I agree. You’ve already talked to him over the phone. We heard him. He’s going behind your back. I don’t know what your rank is, but it seems like he doesn’t care,” Micha points out.

“He thinks I shouldn’t exist! This isn’t going to be solved with a chat over tea,” I reason.

“Oh, I don’t think that’s the problem. I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding,” my father assures me. “Besides, Raziel has always been loyal to me. He was just voicing his concerns during our call because there are plenty of people who feel that way about Scions. That’s why we had to hide you until you came of age.”

“What kind of argument is that?! He’s obviously not concerned about me. I overheard him planning to use one of my consorts to kill me!” I shout. “And why do people even hate Scions in the first place?”

Zeve shoots a pointed look at my father. “Oh, name it. Too much power, they affect the natural order, they have mixed blood. I’ve heard it all. Bigots rarely have good reasons. That doesn’t make them any less dangerous,” she explains.

“All it takes is for Raziel to order me to kill her, and I have no choice but to do it,” Kade adds.

“I’ll talk to him,” my father repeats.

Zeve looks livid as she glares at my father. “You’ll ~talk~ to him?!” she seethes. “Like you talked to Azreal?” she says, jutting out her hip and folding her arms.

I feel Kade lean down to my ear. “You look like your mom when you’re angry,” he whispers, making me smile. Huh. It’s funny that we share some of the same mannerisms. Well, at least we have something in common other than our hair and our figures. I’m still not feeling great about the whole parental thing.

“I didn’t know he would take her and not tell us where she was!” my father argues, gesturing toward me.

“Clearly. But this is why we need to make an example of Raziel. You’re Death. People shouldn’t think it’s okay to kill our daughter!” Zeve argues.

~Death?!~

Death is my dad?! I look around at my guys, who look just as surprised as I am at that information.

“Your dad is Death?” Micha whispers. “Holy shit.”

I agree. Holy shit.

“Raziel is harmless. He’s a good angel. He just needs to be put back on the right path.” Great, Death is a pacifist.

I turn to the guys, trying to ignore my…parents’ bickering.

“Okay, so we’re sticking with the original plan?” I ask.

They all nod and give Death some very reserved looks.

“Yeah, I think that’s best,” Kade says.

“I’ll spend the night at your place with Kade tonight,” Micha volunteers.

“What about clothes?” I ask. Everyone looks at me weirdly. I look at Kade. “You’re going to need your uniform,” I point out.

“Oh, I’ve got that covered.” Sorin grins, snapping his fingers. Kade is suddenly looking all clean and pressed in a fresh uniform.

“Your magic is so cool,” I praise him with a grin, making his cheeks tint pink.

“Okay, so we’re on the buddy system from here on out, boys. None of you are to be alone. Have someone with you at all times. The same goes for you, Della,” Tenn says. We all nod. “I’ll set up a meeting with the headmaster today.”

“We should probably get to class then,” I mutter, turning to my parents. God, I’m so nervous. “Thank you both for coming down,” I say, smiling at Zeve. I’m feeling genuinely happy to see her again. Death, not so much.

“Oh, sweetie, I’m here whenever you need me. But next time, please call me. I almost hung up on your consort before I realized who he was,” she says, holding out another business card before I can say that Tenn isn’t a consort. “I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.”

I look down at the business card to avoid her emotion-filled gaze. My mom owns a strip club in Vegas. Of course she does.