Page 81 of The Fate of Black Hearts

“No, it was him. It was as if he was filled with the sun’s light from the inside. He was sad. And alone. He lost his family, I think.”

“You’re going to let me sort out what’s going on with him.” She bopped Lyra playfully on the nose. “Are we ready to get this birthday started? Why aren’t you in one of your special dresses?”

“Auntie Cora said Uncle Ian would want to visit us.” Lyra grinned. “Why can’t I meet him?”

“He doesn’t know about you. I don’t like him.” Her gaze slid to Efrem, who scowled.

Lyra asked, “Do you not want Ian to visit?”

“You know how I tell you to use what’s in here when it comes to figuring out which people to trust?” She rested a finger on Lyra’s chest.

Lyra nodded.

“I get very bad feelings about Ian in here.” Evie tapped her chest. “There are some people who are notsafe for us. Ian would be on the top of the dangerous-to-us list.”

“He’s trying to sneak his way in, then. That’s not nice. Shane is bringing Auntie Maddie today. She said I could play with Baku. So, if Ian comes here, I’ll have Baku eat him.”

“Excellent idea.” She grinned. Madeline’s demon familiar, Baku, seemed to adore Lyra.

“What about the man from last night? Is he less dangerous than Ian?” She did a few twirls while staring at her skirt. “I think he knows you.”

“He isn’t dangerous to me. He might be a problem for you.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can. We trained you well.”

“I also have friends who’d be glad to help, you know. I had new friends to tea yesterday.”

She massaged her head and gave Lyra a placating smile. Her daughter had an active imagination and liked to invite imaginary deities to tea. “Who came to tea yesterday?”

“God and the Devil.”

“That sounds like a dangerous combo, bringing the opposing Christian deities together.”

“They needed to talk on neutral ground. I think they don’t really hate each other.” She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Lu was pissed because he lost something. I didn’t understand what. Their argument was boring.” Which meant she didn’t listen.

“Who’s Lu?”

“Lucifer. I made them stop arguing and drink tea because I didn’t invite them over to be mean to each other. Instead, we talked about fairies.”

“You’re on nickname basis with the Devil, who you forced to have a serious discussion about fairies?” Last week Lyra had said she had tea with a Buddhist god she’d read about in a book Roman gave her.

“They both knew a lot more about fairies than you’d think. They kept saying don’t believe anything they say.”

“What kind of tea did you serve these two enemies?”

“I made an apple spice blend. They both complimented it. I think I’m getting better at the brewing.” She rotated to grin at Efrem, who’d worked with her on the art of brewing tea properly.

“Who do you plan to invite next week?”

She shrugged. “Might ask Gelos over again. He’s funny.”

“The Roman god of humor? Of course he’d be funny.” She met Efrem’s gaze.

Efrem shook his head, just as baffled by Lyra’s stories about gods coming for tea.

“Why don’t you go help with the arrangements in the courtyard for the party tonight? I need to chat with Efrem for a moment.”