Page 70 of Claiming Demons
And there was no time to get used to things the next morning either. The conclave was still happening, and we all needed to be in attendance.
The Pierre Hotel had been remade by the next morning, and things moved on as if nothing had happened. The first order of business was finding out who had been responsible for the previous night’s assault. Shiva came forward and spoke of Erini’s tantrum and how he had her in custody at the moment.
And, of course, many of the more powerful or more celestially sensitive gods in attendance had felt the birth of a new goddess last night. There was a request for her to be brought before them and introduced, since new gods of such power were rare.
So Ana, looking radiant in a flowing gown of pale lilac — more conservative than usual for her — strode before the assembled gods and goddesses and introduced herself as The Goddess of Bonds.
She hedged and evaded any questions around her aspects, since that might give away who her parents were. We three men stayed close to her, all a bit over-protective, even though nothing of note happened. The gods accepted Ana and went back to their business.
Ana promised to keep in touch with Hera and Aphrodite, and even had a long — private — conversation with my mother, Persephone, who gave her blessing for our new union.
Soon enough, the conclave ended and life went on and we all finally got a chance to catch our breath and adjust to our new lives together.
Less than a week later, I sat in my office at the penthouse with various forms and papers arrayed in front of me.
It was late morning. Ana had slept in, but I felt her rousing, hungry, and I planned to get up and make her something for brunch in a moment, but I had other business to attend to first.
Caia, Ana’s eldest daughter, arrived and knocked on the open door.
“You wanted to see me, Grey?” she asked.
I heard the hesitation. Ana had told all her daughters they could call Fen, Ramsey, and myself “Dad” if they wanted to, but it seemed Caia wasn’t quite there yet.
“Yes, please have a seat.” But as I said this I rose and motioned, not to the chairs on the other side of my desk, but the one I’d just been sitting in.
She cocked her head, curious as I moved around to the far side and sat in one of the other chairs. Caia shrugged and went to sit in mine.
“On the desk is paperwork. It outlines the handover of the Bio-Medical branch of Zagreus Holdings International from me to you.”
Caia looked up, eyes wide, stunned. The two of us had talked business a few times, and I was thoroughly impressed with the young woman. Also, I desperately wanted to divest myself of all my businesses. I’d already handed full control of my financial branch over to Ana’s Uncle Don. This was another step in offloading my responsibilities.
“Take a look over everything and sign where indicated. I have complete faith in you. Whenever we’ve talked, I’ve found you to be insightful, knowledgeable, and thoroughly inventive. It will take some getting used to, and I’ll be there for anything you need, but I know you can handle this.”
“Ah… wow… thanks?” she said, still in shock.
“I’m going to make your mother some brunch. Take your time and read everything over. If there are any terms you disagree with, let me know.” I rose and smiled at her. “Sound good?”
She nodded and turned her focus to the many papers as I left.
I found Ana in the upstairs living area, hair still wet from a shower, tapping a pen to her lips, her little notebook out in front of her.
“You’re hungry,” I said. “I’ll make some brunch.”
“Grey, wait a sec,” she called to me.
I nodded and sat next to her on the long couch.
Ramsey and Fen were both out at their jobs. Reia was at school, and Eva was taking some entrance exams for the New York Military Academy. Raphael and Inanna were still here, but they hadn’t seen each other in years and mostly stayed cooped up in their room.
“What is it?” I asked.
She sighed. “I… I’d thought knowing my parents would tell me who I am. And it has, in a way…” She shook her head. “But for the most part… nothing’s really changed… within me, I mean. I’m still who I was before all of this, just with a few more powers.” She gave a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Fen was right. I was so certain that knowing my parents would help me know myself, but now that I’m thinking about it… why would it? I’m my own person. Knowing where you come from helps, but it can’t tell you where you’re going. Does that make sense?”
“It does.” I nodded sagely. “It took me many long years to fully understand that I didn’t have to be a man like my father. He was distant and uncaring and hard. I… I may come across that way to those who don’t know me, but I like to think I’ve made myself a very different man.”
Ana laughed. “Anyone who meets you at your office might think you’re distant and hard, yes, but anyone meeting you at one of your shelters would see that you’re a huge softy with a big heart and a bright smile.”
I smiled. “Exactly. Knowing our parents only helps us figure out how much we want to be like them.”