Chapter One-hundred Eighty-Seven: Jordi's Castle

Chapter 187

Jordi’s Castle

It was evening, and it was already pitch dark. Jordi’s car drove down Madelyn’s driveway. He wore a black button-down shirt with the buttons unsnapped to expose his golden Cuban link chain, a black sports jacket, gray pants, and black zip-up boots. He parked his car and lifted the emergency brake. He got out and walked up the steps to knock on the door.

Madelyn answered the door, dressed in a short, long-sleeve dress. Purple lace ran down one side with black mesh on the other, exposing a black tank top and skirt underneath, with matching purple sandal heels that resembled jewels. She wore a purple rose in her hair with matching purple eyeshadow veering off to the sides of her head like fairy wings. Jordi beamed at her.

Jordi: “Hey, you look lovely! Ready to go?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “Hey Jordi! Nice to see you again! Thank you! You look like a total Business Prince!”

She beamed and spun around on her heel. Jordi flushed red.

Jordi: “Thank you.”

He said softly and led her to his car, where he opened the passenger’s door. Madelyn thanked him and got into the car next to him. Jordi climbed into the driver’s side, pulled the emergency brake, shifted into reverse, and looked behind him as he backed out of the driveway.

When he got onto the road, he shifted into first gear and drove.

Jordi: “Ever been to a place like Solstice before?”

He asked her as he got a cigarette out, lit it up with his Zippo, and inhaled a long drag.

Madelyn: “Solstice? Do you mean the winter solstice? Yep, I have! Me, Abi and Juniper have witch nights on the solstices!”

She beamed. Jordi let out a peal of laughter.

Jordi: “That’s one of them, but this place is a semi-formal restaurant in the Pimpton Tower.”

He nodded as he shifted gears and picked up the pace when he got onto the freeway.

Madelyn: “Oh! What’s a semi-formal?”

She asked him, genuinely curious.

Jordi: “It’s not a formal restaurant where I would have to wear a suit and tie, but it’s a place that mixes casual dining with formality.”

He explained.

Jordi: “It’s a fairly luxurious establishment, but not so much that the menu doesn’t have the prices inside.”

He laughed and inhaled another long drag.

Madelyn: “Ohh! I’ve never been to a place like that before!”

She chuckled.

Madelyn: “The ‘fanciest’ date I’ve been on is Voyage Burger.”

She laughed. Jordi guffawed.

Jordi: “Is that so?”

He bobbed his head.

Jordi: “Well, this city is a great place to enjoy new experiences.”

He smiled and flicked on his signal to change lanes.

Madelyn: “That’s good! I’m down for new experiences!”

She smiled at him.

He looked behind him and changed lanes to get on the exit to the downtown Pink Top City. When they entered Pink Top City, they stopped due to heavy traffic. There was a massive billboard for Belloni Jewelers with the same ad featuring a man giving a woman an engagement ring for Christmas. Madelyn looked up at where he was looking.

Madelyn: “Belloni, more like baloney!”

She laughed.

Madelyn: “Isn’t getting engaged to someone on Christmas a bit much? Like that’s such a high expectation!”

She laughed. Jordi turned to her and smiled.

Jordi: “I think Gina wanted that. I know her sister was proposed to her by her then-girlfriend on Christmas.”

He nodded.

Madelyn: “I’m not surprised. She seems like the kinda girl who wants the Sistine Chapel, but it still wouldn’t be enough.”

She laughed bitterly. Jordi twisted his mouth.

Jordi: “That’s an understatement.”

He muttered.

The billboard rotated into an ad for the twenty-four-slice Varg the Viking pizza for Voyage Burger.

Madelyn: “Damn, that’s a big one-eighty! Big Viking feet pizza sounds SO delicious!”

She laughed with amusement at the big-foot Viking cartoon character giving a thumbs-up with cheese pizza slices on his giant feet.

Jordi: “Yeah, I saw that at my workplace. I saw Makayla feeding six of those pizzas to her pigman.”

He snorted.

Madelyn: “Sounds like she finally found her true soulmate!”

She laughed bitterly.

When traffic moved along, Jordi drove through downtown Pink Top City with the brightly lit nightclubs and businesses, the palm trees, and the skyscrapers. Madelyn gazed out the window, awed by the shiny surroundings.

Madelyn: “Wow, I’ve never seen anything like this before!”

She clasped her hands together.

Jordi: “No? You have never been to a metropolis before?”

He chuckled.

Madelyn: “Not like this!”

She shook her head in confirmation.

Jordi: “First time for everything…”

He said softly.

~

When they entered the Pimpton Tower, they entered the panoramic elevator. Jordi pressed the button for the 50th floor, and they went up, gazing at the twinkling lights of the city. Madelyn stumbled over onto Jordi as the force of the elevator shot up the tower. Jordi caught her in his arms and held her close. Madelyn blushed and smiled at him.

Madelyn: “Oh, sorry! Wow! What an amazing view!”

She beamed as they reached the top.

Jordi: “Sure is.”

He said breathlessly as they got off.

The restaurant had elegantly set tables, draped in white linen. The lighting was intimate and warm. The chairs were upholstered in a light, neutral fabric. The mood was sophisticated, romantic, and exclusive. Jordi approached the host, who was wearing a black waistcoat, a white shirt, a black bow tie, black pants, and shoes.

Jordi: “Table for Vaquero.”

He said to him. He looked through the reservations and nodded, taking two menus.

Host: “Right this way.”

The host led them to a small, single-table setup for two, positioned directly against a large window overlooking Pink Top City. On the table, there was a single rose in a vase, along with gold cutlery, in a formal arrangement. The dinner fork and salad fork were placed on the left of the plate, while the dinner knife was on the right with the blade facing inward, next to the soup spoon and other utensils. The bread plate was positioned above the forks, with glasses to the top right, and the dessert utensils were placed above the plate.

The window framed a stunning, panoramic view of Pink Top City. Thousands of lights from skyscrapers and street grids stretched out toward the horizon.

Jordi pulled out a chair for Madelyn. Madelyn thanked him and sat down, drinking in all her surroundings.

Madelyn: “Wow, I’ve never seen so many utensils before! Are they for other people to share or something?”

She picked up the various knives and forks with curiosity. Jordi sat across from her.

Jordi: “Oh, those are usually in more formal settings. I’m not 100% sure about placement, but there are dinner forks, salad forks, and such. It’s just formality.”

He smiled at her.

Madelyn: “Oh! Why do you need different forks?”

She asked him with curiosity.

Jordi: “I think so tastes won’t overlap.”

He stroked his chin.

The host gave them their menus.

Host: “Anything to drink while you browse through and wait for your server?”

Jordi: “I’ll have a glass of shiraz.”

He nodded.

Madelyn: “Hmm, what is the most colorful drink on the menu?”

She asked.

Host: “We have the unicorn float, Miss.”

He nodded.

Madelyn: “That one, please!”

She smiled. The host nodded and left them.

Jordi smiled at her.

Jordi: “Enjoying yourself so far?”

He asked her as he browsed through the menu.

Madelyn: “Ah-ah! I sure am!”

She smiled at him and browsed the menu. The prices ranged from fifty to two hundred dollars per dish. Madelyn’s eyes widened at the significant figures.

Madelyn: “Wow! That’s more than our grocery bill!”

She laughed.

Madelyn: “I’ll just get the salad then!”

She glanced down at the least expensive item on the menu, a chicken Caesar salad. Jordi smiled at her.

Jordi: “Look, get whatever you want. It won’t be any trouble at all.”

He winked.

Madelyn: “Wow! All right, if you insist…”

She browsed the menu, eyeing off the roast duck in plum sauce with hazelnuts and broccolini.

The waiter came up to them and poured a glass of Shiraz into a red wine glass for Jordi and handed Madelyn a milkshake glass with a rainbow float topped with strawberries, ice cream, sprinkles, and a rainbow-striped straw. Madelyns’ eyes grew wide as she admired the swirling colors and sipped the delicious flavors.

Waiter: “Is this on one bill?”

Jordi: “Yes, I’m paying.”

He stated. Madelyn blushed.

Madelyn: “Thank you, Jordi.”

She placed her hand on his. Jordi’s breathing hitched, and he smiled. He grasped her hand.

Jordi: “I’ll have the prime striploin done rare with wild mushrooms in butter. We’ll have dinner rolls to start.”

Madelyn: “I’ll get the duck!”

She exclaimed. The server jotted their orders down and thanked them as he left.

Jordi took her hand with both of his hands. His amethyst rings and Rolex watch sparkled under the lighting. Madelyn blushed and glanced down at his tender hands on hers, glimmering under the light like a royal treasure chest.

Madelyn: “Wow, so shiny!”

She beamed.

Madelyn: “I can’t believe I’m on a date with a prince!”

She laughed and fanned her face. Jordi reddened and bit his bottom lip.

Jordi: “I’m on a date with a forest fairy.”

He teased, running his thumbs over her hands. Madelyn beamed widely and reddened.

Jordi: “Thanks.”

He whispered and gazed at her.

Madelyn: “Hehe, that you are!”

She locked her gaze on him, fiddling with the flower in her hair. Jordi gazed at her hand in his hands and smiled at her. He then took her hand and kissed it. Madelyn’s eyes widened, taken by surprise when his lips met her hand.

Madelyn: “Oh wow!”

She chuckled and fanned her face as she reddened and beamed ear-to-ear. Jordi smiled tenderly at her and intertwined his fingers with hers. Madelyn stroked his fingers and gazed into his Byzantine eyes.

The server came with their food. He placed dinner rolls before them, a prime striploin with wild mushrooms in a butter sauce before Jordi, and a roast duck in plum sauce with hazelnuts and broccolini before Madelyn. He left them. Jordi raised his glass to Madelyn. Madeyn raised her glass back at him.

Madelyn: “Cheers, Business Prince!”

She smiled at him, gently tapping his glass with hers.

Jordi: “Salud, hada del bosque.”

He stated and sipped his drink.

~

After they ate, the server gave him the bill, which totaled four hundred and forty dollars. Jordi handed him his credit card. The server took it and went back to swipe it. He returned with the bill. Jordi calculated a tip, wrote it down, and signed his name. Madelyn’s jaw dropped at the total.

Jordi: “Let’s go.”

He said breathlessly.

Madelyn: “Oh wow… thank you so much! I owe you big time!”

She laughed and took his hand. Jordi took her hands.

Jordi: “You don’t owe me anything. I am doing this because I want to.”

He said in a breathy tone, putting his arm over her as he led her out. Madelyn leaned on him as he put his arm around her.

Madelyn: “Aww, you're so sweet, Jordi! Thank you!”

She smiled at him and kissed his cheek. Jordi reddened and smiled at her.

~

When Jordi arrived at his house, he parked his car and opened the door for Madelyn.

Jordi: “Before I walk you home, did you… want to take a walk in the park?”

He asked as he held her hand. Madelyn’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly nodded.

Madelyn: “Ooh, yes, please!”

She exclaimed and took his hand. Jordi intertwined his fingers with hers, and they walked down the street.

When they walked past her house, he gazed down the driveway and took note of the several bags of firewood on the patio.

Jordi: “When I take you back home, do you want me to bring some firewood in for the fireplaces?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “That's a great idea! Let's go

hunting for some firewood!”

She smiled, excited for the treasure hunt with him. Jordi chuckled.

Jordi: “I mentioned it because I saw the wood delivered on your porch and no one brought it in.”

He smirked at her. Madelyn looked confused.

Madelyn: “Huh? Why would we get wood delivered when we can just forage for it in the woods?”

She pondered, wondering why Abigail and Juniper would order firewood.

Jordi: “What woods? We’re in the city.”

He laughed.

Jordi: “My guess is it’s a kindly neighbor? Maybe Tristan or Celeste did?”

He shrugged.

Madelyn: “Oh! That's nice of them!”

She smiled, thinking nothing more of it.

When they entered the park, they walked along the waterfront path.

Jordi: “How do you like this city so far?”

He asked as he gazed at the water and the city.

Madelyn: “Well, I'm not much of a city person, but it has you in it, so I like it.”

She smiled back at him. Jordi smiled tightly at her.

Jordi: “I can tell you aren’t. I was born and raised here.”

He nodded.

Madelyn: “Oh, really? So you've been here all your life?”

She smiled. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “Yeah, and up until I got my current job, I never really traveled. We were dirt poor, but we were happy… or so I thought. Or maybe I wanted us to be happy.”

He laughed bitterly.

Madelyn: “I totally get that. I grew up poor, too! What would make you happy, Jordi?”

She asked him, genuinely curious. Jordi paused and raked his fingers through his hair.

Jordi: “You know, I don’t believe anyone ever asked me that. No one asked me if I was happy and what would make me happy. It felt like the onus was on me to make others happy, and I try to do that.”

He replied. Madelyn's eyebrows rose in surprise that no one had asked him that before.

Jordi: “I think, in the end, we’re all looking for the same thing: to belong, to be respected, to be loved, and to be cherished. I made many mistakes in trying to find my place in those.”

He said, thinking of Gina.

Madelyn: “That's a good answer! I think we all just wanna belong, be respected, loved, and cherished! Those are all good things! But some people are still not happy even with those things, and then they also make you not happy, too!”

She said, thinking of Makalya and wondering if it was the same for him with Gina. Jordi rubbed the back of his head.

Jordi: “I believe some people like those you mention choose to be bitter and resentful because this is all they have, and if they fixed the problem, they would have to admit it wasn’t hard to address. It’s as if their bitterness is their identity.”

He started. Madelyn nodded.

Madelyn: “Nah, they don't wanna admit that they're the problem. It's never their fault! They're the victim or the hero of the story, and admitting it means they are the problem.”

Jordi nodded in agreement.

Jordi: “I don’t… I don’t feel loved or respected at home or at work. I definitely never felt this with Gina either. I never could do anything right with her, and my biggest regret is jumping into bed with her at Los Campos because of a stupid crush I had on her in high school! Come on, that was in high school! I am not a little boy anymore! She hasn’t changed, but I did! Why on Reona did I ever think this would work?!”

He laughed bitterly with a plaintive tone. He spread his arms and slapped his sides.

Jordi: “My apologies for dumping this on you.”

He waved his hand. Madelyn turned to him.

Madelyn: “Not at all! I'm just shocked you ended up with a girl like that when you can do so much better than her! What do you mean you could never do anything right when she was the one who could never do anything right? I mean, what did she do right by you exactly? Name one good thing she ever did for you?”

She replied. Jordi turned to her and hooked his thumbs in his pants.

Jordi: “Well, her stupidity made Grandfather’s former caregiver quit, and her family forced another caregiver on me. That’s it, I guess?”

He laughed a hollow laugh.

Madelyn: “I… don't see how that's right by you.”

She blinked mutely. Jordi shrugged and laughed sadly.

Jordi: “Can’t fault a guy for grasping at straws.”

He snorted.

Madelyn: “There are better straws out there, like bendy ones!”

She laughed. Jordi gaped at her and laughed at her quip.

Jordi: “Hehehehehe, you’re so funny.”

He smiled. Madelyn blushed and smiled up at him.

Suddenly, a shadow loomed over them. Jordi raised his head to see a black bodybuilder standing before him. He wore his blond hair spiked, orange pants, combat boots, and wristbands. Jordi felt unease around this man. Madelyn’s eyes widened, and she stood close to Jordi. Jordi stood protectively in front of Madelyn. He looked like trouble, she thought.

Jordi: “Excuse me, can I help you?”

The man grinned. His lips spread to show his teeth with a gold upper premolar.

Man: “So, the old man tells me you broke Gina’s heart?”

Jordi’s face was ashen. Madelyn looked confused.

Madelyn: “Um, what? No? She broke his heart!”

Before Jordi could answer him, his hand lunged out at Jordi’s neck, grabbing it. He threw him twenty feet away. Jordi landed on the pavement with a colossal thud. Madelyn gasped and cupped her mouth.

Madelyn: “Oh no! Jordi!”

She cried out and scurried over to him.

Madelyn: “What the hell is wrong with you?! Why don't you date her then?!”

She snapped at the man. Jordi raised and coughed.

Jordi: “Madelyn, get out of here!”

He pleaded.

Madelyn: “What?! I'm not leaving you here alone while you're hurt!”

She gasped and knelt to him. The man withdrew his dual jagged blades and raised them. He kicked Jordi away and slashed at him, drawing blood. Jordi grunted in pain, and the man delivered another blow to his face.

Madelyn: “NO, JORDI! Get AWAY from him!”

She screamed at the man and pulled out her feathersword, tickling him to stop. The man scoffed at her and walked away toward Jordi.

Madelyn: “Oh crap! Are you even Reonan?!”

Jordi panted as he staggered up. Blood dripped from his face and arm onto the pavement. Jordi shot his hand out as lightning struck down. Madleyn's eyes widened as lightning pulsed around Jordi. The man dodged and struck Jordi again, sending him crashing down. He winced in pain.

Jordi: “Jesus…”

He bared his teeth as the man smirked at him. He pounced on Jordi, pressing his blade to his neck. Jordi grabbed his wrists and delivered a shock. The man roared in pain and brought the blade down. Madelyn recoiled in horror, feeling helpless as she watched Jordi face this terror.

Madelyn: “NO! JORDI! HELP!”

She screamed throughout the park, covering her eyes, unable to watch.

Before his blades touched Jordi, an ice blast shot them out of his hands, slicing his wrists.

Man: “AUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGHHH!!! WHAT THE FUCK?!”

Celeste charged at him and delivered a high kick to his jaw, knocking several of his teeth out. Madelyn uncovered her eyes, and her jaw dropped when she saw Celeste standing over the assailant.

Man: “YOU FUCKING BITCH!”

He roared and delivered a blow to her, ramming her into several trees. Madelyn winced and covered her eyes as she saw Celeste thrashing around like a rag doll against those trees. Leaves fell all over the ground at the force of impact. Celeste gnashed her teeth, grabbed his torso, lifted him in the air, and performed a suplex. The man kicked Celeste off. An iceberg rammed the man through several trees.

Tristan stood there with his hand out at the iceberg. Madelyn’s eyes widened when she saw Tristan’s ice powers in action.

Jaxon ran to Jordi and knelt to him.

Jaxon: “I got you, man.”

He put his hands out as a red glow surrounded him, healing him completely.

Jordi: “Thank you!”

He said earnestly as he rose. Madelyn gasped.

Madelyn: “Jordi?! You're okay?!”

She rushed over to him, wrapping her arms around him. Jordi hugged her back.

Jordi: “Yes, I am fine now.”

Madelyn: “What did you do to him? Was that a healing spell?! Are you guys witches?!”

She gasped.

Tristan: “We’ll fill you in later. We must deal with this pest first.”

He nodded.

The man angrily charged after them. Celeste kicked him from behind with her feet. Tristan created an ice wall in front of him, which the man charged into forcefully. Jordi extended his hand, and a bolt of lightning struck down, electrocuting him and breaking the ice. Jordi protected Madelyn, and Celeste shielded both Jaxon and Tristan. Madelyn snuggled into Jordi’s arms.

The man was swallowed up into a hole. Tristan’s eyes widened.

Tristan: “What the?!”

Celeste ran over and stomped on the ground where he was.

Celeste: “Hell swallowed him up!”

She growled. Tristan gazed coolly and shuddered.

Madelyn: “Great, Gina is summoning demons after us!”

She shook her head. Celeste gaped at her and scratched her head, not sure if she was joking or serious.

Tristan: “Are you two okay?”

He asked Jordi and Madelyn.

Jordi: “Yes. That guy said I broke Gina’s heart.”

He growled. Madelyn held onto him close.

Jaxon: “I knew it! That fucker is working for Ichiro!”

He hissed. Tristan turned to Jaxon and raised an eyebrow.

Tristan: “Jaxon, not every adversary we face is Ichiro’s doing. Anyway, this isn’t his MO, and what purpose would Ichiro have to attack Jordi?”

He challenged. Jaxon looked away and pouted.

Tristan: “He’s under Balderico’s payroll, but that trick we saw now… I didn’t think Balderico was an entheressum… and still don’t, so he must have another one under his payroll. I can’t shake the feeling that ethereal prowess that was just used is… eerily familiar.”

He cupped his mouth.

Madelyn: “Ethereal Prowess?”

She ran her fingers through her hair.

Tristan: “After Dr. Minerva Marzilli kidnapped Jaxon ‘for science’, we learned the scientific term for our powers and what we’re called. Ethereal prowess is the term for powers, and we are etheressums.”

He explained. Jaxon embraced himself and shuddered.

Tristan: “It’s a long story.”

Madelyn: “OH! Is that what you call majique here? Like this?”

She pulled out her feather sword and focused her hands on it, transforming it into a banana. Jaxon shuddered when he saw the feather sword, recalling Noriko.

Madelyn: “Ta-da! Majique!”

She smiled and peeled the banana to eat it.

Celeste: “That banana peel could have made that guy slip or something!”

She clapped her hands.

Madelyn: “Aww, damn! I wish I had thought of that! I tried to tickle him with my sword, but… he wasn't ticklish at all! So, it makes sense he's a demon from hell!”

She exclaimed.

Celeste: “Some people aren’t, though. I wish I weren’t.”

She drawled and pouted.

Tristan sighed and rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “Well, majique doesn’t technically exist, but I suppose you can call ethereal prowesses whatever you want.”

Madelyn: “Ohhh, I see now!”

She replied, intrigued to learn this.

Jordi: “I knew this for a while.”

He laughed.

Celeste: “Well, kooky lady is your boss, and we met ‘cause you helped us save Jaxon!”

She raised her hands.

Jordi: “Yeah, Minerva researches people like us and makes better ehtytrim.”

He added.

Madelyn: “Oh, so you pretty much work for the wizard of Oz then?”

She asked.

Jordi: “Hahahaha, interesting metaphor, but yes.”

Tristan: “Anyway, we won’t interrupt your date anymore. Sorry, whoever he was ruined it.”

He sighed.

Madelyn: “You're guys didn't ruin it, and I'm glad you interrupted and helped save Jordi and me!”

She smiled earnestly at them.

Tristan: “Always a pleasure.”

He smiled at her.

Jordi: “Thanks, guys.”

He waved at them.

Celeste: “Well, have fun! Don’t let us keep you!”

She waved at them and took Jaxon’s and Tristan’s arms.

Madelyn: “We will!”

She waved at them.

When they left, Jordi heaved a deep sigh.

Jordi: “Shall we go home?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “Mine or yours?”

She asked. Jordi reddened.

Jordi: “You want to go to my place?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “Of course! I want to get to know you better!”

She smiled at him. Jordi paused and smiled.

Jordi: “All right, then…”

He whispered and put his arm around her.

~

Jordi arrived home with Madelyn. He paused and used his house key to open the door. He stepped inside and knelt to unzip his boots. He slid his feet out, revealing his black sheer socks. He looked into the living room and saw no one, then peeked into his grandfather’s room to find him asleep with the TV still on. Jordi pressed the off button on the TV and turned out the lights. He shrugged out of his slashed suit jacket and tossed it aside.

Madelyn slipped off her heels at the door and drank in her surroundings. On the living room wall were various pictures of June, Abraham, Estrella, and Jordi over the years.

Madelyn: “Oh, wow! It’s nice to see your castle!”

She smiled at him.

Jordi: “You think this is a castle?”

He snickered.

Madelyn: “Yes! Look at this place! It's so regal!”

She chuckled, stroking the drapes.

Jordi: “Thank you!”

Jordi: “Can I get you anything?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “Anything is fine!”

She smiled at him. Jordi went to the fridge, grabbed two bottles of sparkling water, and handed her one. He held the cold bottle to his neck.

Madelyn: “Thank you!”

She smiled at him.

Madelyn: “So, what happened back there?”

She asked him. Jordi gaped at her and sighed.

Jordi: “So it seems Balderico sent one of his lackeys after me since Gina and I broke up.”

He replied and opened the bottle to drink from it.

Jordi: “And before that, he sent a private detective to spy on you and me when I took you to the Pink Flamingo Mall. That’s why there was a crater on our street.”

He laughed bitterly.

Madelyn: “What the hell?! That's seriously messed up!”

She cupped her mouth.

Madelyn: “So, Gina threw a huge tantrum and made that crater?”

She laughed bitterly. Jordi gaped at her and threw his head back laughing.

Jordi: “That would be funny, but no… My lightning struck before Pamela’s car to stop her. That’s when I seized her camera.”

He explained.

Madelyn: “Wow… you did that? You're crazy powerful like that lightning God!”

She beamed. Jordi smiled at her and reddened.

Jordi: “Thank you…”

Madelyn: “Oh man… and I thought my ex was crazy… Then again, she killed people with a robot pig…”

She shook her head.

Jordi: “So we both have crazy exes, then.”

He shrugged.

Jordi: “Do you want to continue this conversation in my bedroom?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “Okay!”

She blushed and smiled. He took her hand and led her to the back.

~

Tristan was at his patio reading a book. He paused and stopped reading to ponder the events that had unrolled earlier this evening. He thought of that brute of a man being swallowed up in the ground. He mentioned Jordi breaking Gina’s heart, but could Narcisse be involved, he thought.

Deimos stepped out and gazed at Tristan. Tristan raised his head to Deimos.

Tristan: “What do you want?”

He huffed.

Deimos: “Uh, Ashley wants you to come to Lazaros’ Thanksgiving dinner.”

He mumbled.

Tristan: “I have plans for my Papa and Bastien’s Thanksgiving.”

He said tersely, opening up his book.

Deimos: “It would be after all that.”

He stated.

Deimos: “It would mean a lot to Ashley.”

He muttered. Tristan glared at Deimos.

Tristan: “Since when do you care what Ashley feels?”

He said coldly. Deimos looked away.

Tristan: “Are you using Ashley as bait to bring me to this farce?”

He asked sharply. Deimos looked away and reddened.

Deimos flicked his gaze on Tristan and noticed a gash on his arm.

Deimos: “Tristan, you’re hurt.”

Tristan glanced down at his wound.

Tristan: “I tripped over Oliver. You know he gets underfoot.”

He sneered at him. Deimos gently took his arm and put his hand over his wound. A purple glow emitted from his hand as he healed him.

Deimos: “I guess you’re not a good liar when you don’t want to be.”

Tristan looked away.

Deimos: “I know I made mistakes, Tristan.”

Tristan: “That would be an understatement.”

He sighed.

Deimos: “Well, regardless, Ashley would appreciate this. I think they feel guilty about Blair.”

Tristan gazed at Deimos.

Tristan: “Why am I not surprised to hear this?”

Deimos: “I think they might think Lazaros put Blair in a coma. He had every bone broken in his body, and Lazaros gave vague answers about where he was when Blair was found.”

He sighed. Tristan stared at Deimos.

Tristan: “Do you think Lazaros did this to Blair?”

Deimos shrugged.

Deimos: “Despite having lethal ethereal prowesses, he rarely uses them. I had to use his hands to clap Maxx’s head off. Why didn’t he do that to Blair?”

He asked him. Tristan cupped his chin.

Tristan: “I reckon to make him suffer or send a message, but Lazaros and concocting elaborate schemes do not mesh, so I doubt this is him. So my guess is someone else has the same ethereal prowesses as he does, or someone else did this.”

He stated.

Tristan: “Blair has many enemies. It could be anyone.”

He said dryly.