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By Root 1454 0

And before you ask, Beth’s okay with that. I think she’ll want one in the future, though. Just hope it’s later rather than sooner. Although, honestly, she hasn’t even gone through her first needing, so it’s not a huge issue.

J.R.:

Suppose you’d like me to change the subject?

Wrath:

Up to you. You can ask anything, doesn’t mean I’ll answer. (Shoots a look over his shoulder and smiles at me.) But you know how I do.

J.R.:

(laughing) Yeah, I’m familiar with the way things go. So let me ask you about the whole Chosen thing and Phury. What do you think about the changes he made?

Wrath:

Man . . . he impressed the shit out of me. He really did. And not just about what he did with the Scribe Virgin. For a while there, I was sure we were going to lose him.

J.R.:

(thinking about Phury and the heroin) You nearly did.

Wrath:

Yeah. (There’s another stretch of silence, which I spend watching his arm go back and forth, back and forth. The line makes a lovely sound through the cool forest air, as if it is breathing.) Yeah. Anyhow, that’s why we’re here, at Rehv’s house. I come up with Beth every two weeks or so and meet with Phury and the Directrix and check in on how things are going with the Chosen. Christ, can you imagine what the transition’s like for those females? Going from total lockdown to being able to explore a world you’ve only read about?

J.R.:

I can’t, no.

Wrath:

Phury’s fantastic with them. It’s like overnight they’ve all become his daughters. And they love him. He is the perfect Primale, and Cormia’s now their den mother. As she’s had more time to assimilate, she’s doing a lot of transitioning them herself. I’m really glad it’s gone down like it has.

J.R.:

Talking about parent stuff, what’s life like at the mansion now that Nalla’s around?

Wrath:

(laughing) Okay, for real? That kid’s a star. She’s got us all wrapped around her little finger. The other day I was working at my desk, and Bella was on walkabout with the young—she does this because lately Nalla only sleeps when she’s moving? Anyway, Bella brought her into my study and the two of them were pacing. Nalla’s head was on Bella’s shoulder and she was out like a light—by the way, the kid’s got eyelashes longer than your arm. So, Bella? She finally sinks down on the couch to take a breather, and two seconds later, I kid you not, Nalla’s eyes flip open and she starts fussing.

J.R.:

Poor thing!

Wrath:

Bella, right?

J.R.:

Yup!

Wrath:

(laughing) So I got to hold Nalla. Bella let me hold her. (This is said with no small amount of pride.) I walked the young around. I didn’t drop her.

J.R.:

(hiding smile) Of course you didn’t.

Wrath:

She went back to sleep. (Shoots grave stare over his shoulder.) You know, young only sleep if they trust you to keep them safe.

J.R.:

(softly) Anyone would be safe with you.

Wrath:

(looks away quickly) So, yeah, kid’s a gem. Z’s a little uneasy around her still, I think because he’s afraid he’s going to break her—not because he doesn’t love her. Rhage handles her like a sack of potatoes, hauling her any way he pleases, which Nalla loves. Phury’s a natural. So’s Butch.

J.R.:

What about Vishous?

Wrath:

Meh. I think Nalla makes him nervous. He made her a dagger, though. (laughs) Fucking hard-ass. What kind of crack bastard makes a dagger for an infant?

J.R.:

Bet it’s lovely, though.

Wrath:

Shit, yeah. He put all these . . . (The king pauses and flicks at the line as if he thinks he’s got something hooked.) He put all these diamonds on the hilt. Spent three days working on it. Says it’s for when she starts dating.

J.R.:

(laughing) I’ll bet.

Wrath:

Might go to waste. Zsadist says she’s never dating. Ever.

J.R.:

Uh-oh.

Wrath:

Yeah. Z’s little girl? You want to be the male coming to call on her? Shiiiiiiit.

J.R.:

I’d pass.

Wrath:

I know I would. Like my balls right where they are, thank you very much.

J.R.:

(after another stretch of quiet) Can I ask about Tohr?

Wrath:

Figured