Page 16 of His Human Believer

“For two diurnals,” says a male voice from the doorway. “You’ve only recently asked me.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“You only just placed your order.”

The male who comes in behind her is younger than I am with very tall, black horns. He greets Hannibal by name and grips his forearm. He crouches at Mitry’s chair and says something I do not catch and she shrieks with delight.

“Emberstone took the regional flame throw,” Avery explains to Margaret. “Three years running.”

“Four,” comments Dagr with admiration in his gaze.

“Four,” the male agrees gravely. “But your father took it the year I was born, so I will not be boasting in this domicile.”

Hannibal makes a low pleased sound.

Then Emberstone sees Margaret. I watch it happen. His attention crosses the kitchen, arrives at the human female in the green top, and simply remains there. His nostrils flare, once.

I set my cup down.

“The yard’s across town,” Riley explains. “I just need someone to go and pick out the gourds for the carving station. Avery?”

“Can’t. I have to get Dagr to his exam and then I have an audit closing today and three calls stacked afterwards. Bestla and Narvi are taking Sela and Mitry, I assume to join in that gourd carving, while Hannibal and I are working this morning. I was already feeling guilty that I wouldn’t be able to spend as much time today with Margaret as I wanted.” She turns to look at her friend. “Tomorrow, starting tomorrow I promise I’m on vacation too. I thought it was starting today but stuff came up.”

“Oh, no problem,” Margaret answers with genuine honesty. “I understand. It happens. I’m a big girl.” She glances over at me. “I can find things to keep me busy today.”

Warmth spreads in my chest.

Riley looks over at the second in charge of Molten Lava Security. “Hannibal?”

“Bergelmir has the team on a contract brief.” Hannibal is already standing. “I am an hour late as it is.”

Dagr grumbles in his throat.

“Dagr, do you want to go with us?” Emberstone questions.

“He’s got a schooling assessment this morning,” Avery says. “Sorry, bud.”

The older offspring shrugs and returns to his meal.

“I’ll go,” Margaret says.

Every being at the table looks at her.

“What? I’ve been here one entire day and all I’ve done is eat food and stand in a jungle at midnight. It’s obvious I’m entirely free today. Put me to work. I want to be useful.”

“That would be very welcome,” Hogen Emberstone says, his tail flicking behind him suggestively. “I would be glad to have you picking out the appropriate gourds.”

Fire churns in my chest. My chair scrapes back against the stone floor and suddenly I’m standing. Everyone looks over at me. “I will accompany you to the yard,” I announce.

Dagr looks up from his plate at me for the first time this entire meal. Avery’s eyebrows shoot up. Riley’s tablet lowers. Even the baby appears to be staring at me.

Hannibal does not look surprised at all.

“Vidar?” Margaret is staring at me. “What’s wrong?”

Nothing is wrong, except there is a male in this kitchen with tall horns who has just scented a female I have no claim to, and I will not let this go unchallenged. “The road east passes near the Academy annex,” I hear myself saying. “I require a comparative soil reference.”

“You do?”