Chapter 9

"Brendan is here," Councilman Murdock said to me on our way out of the council chambers.

"Oh?" I lifted a brow politely.

Murdock's son and I had been friends when we were kids, but I hadn't seen him in years. All extinguisher children had to go to normal, human school as well as take extinguisher classes. Physical training was done by the parents but the educational classes on fairies and their culture were taught by the Councils. I'd attended the same Council school as Brendan had; the San Francisco school. That was back when my father and I had lived in SF and Mom was still alive. The thing was; Council classes ended at age fourteen, and Brendan and I hadn't exactly kept in touch since then. I wasn't sure why his father was bringing him up to me now.

"I thought this might be a good opportunity for you two to catch up?" Murdock offered as he stepped aside; opening the door to his private office and going in so the rest of the council could get past us.

I followed him inside since we seemed to be having a conversation. Although, I didn't know what to say next. A glance around the room showed a classy, polished, oak desk placed directly in the center of a Persian rug. There were tall bookshelves lining the walls behind and to either side of the desk; leaving only the wall with the door open to display photographs of the councilman shaking hands with various political figures—including several presidents.

"Are you and Brendan old friends?" Aideen asked sweetly. She had followed me in.

"We were friends when we were young." I frowned first at her and then at the councilman.

"Uh, I haven't mentioned it to her yet." My father came into the room and closed the door behind him; giving me a nervous glance.

"Oh!" Murdock chuckled. "Sorry about that. I guess I let the cat out of the bag."

"I don't like that expression much," I said as I turned to glare at my father.

I had a feeling I knew what this was about. Extinguishers had been marrying other Extinguishers for generations; resulting in extremely powerful children. I had personally benefited from this, being one of those powerful children, but that didn't mean I liked the idea of being forced to choose a husband from a select group of men. I wasn't ready for marriage. I was only twenty-six. Didn't women get married a lot older these days? We lived longer now and that meant we had more time to decide on a husband. Plus, the idea of having children simply scared the bejesus out of me. I had a fish once and it hadn't lasted a month. A fish. How was I going to take care of a baby?

"Brendan's a good man," my Dad started, and I rolled my eyes. "Just give him a chance; that's all we ask."

"Why would you want your son married to me?" I looked back at Murdock; hoping for some help. "You yourself called us unstable. Why would you want me in your family?"

"You'll recover," Murdock said with a gentle tone. "What you two went through was a nightmare. It's totally understandable to lose your calm, but I happen to have known your father for quite a long time so I can say with the utmost certainty; the both of you will be just fine. You're stronger than this pain."

"Stronger." I narrowed my eyes at him. "This is about my test scores, isn't it?"

"You're the most talented female extinguisher there has ever been." Murdock nodded; completely shameless about it. "Telekinesis, pyrokinesis, levitation, and clairvoyance. All at very impressive levels and then you tested high in the fields of combat as well."

"And I have a touch of precognition," I added with a grimace. "Though I'm not very good at that one."

"Yes, you have a bit of the oracle inside you." Murdock smiled. "Having you for a daughter-in-law would be an honor."

"And the fact that your son is one step above me with his combat scores doesn't hurt either, huh?" I looked back and forth between the two smiling fathers. "Look at you guys; I can practically see your dreams of ultimate warrior babies flashing in your eyeballs," I huffed and walked out of the room; Aideen in tow.

"Seren," my Dad called after me.

"Let her go," I heard Murdock tell him. "She'll cool down and realize we're right."

"No, I won't," I growled as I barreled down the hallway and straight into the elevator with Aideen.

I jabbed the button for the second level, the residential floor; knowing that I'd have to check in with the housekeeper to find our room. I was still irritated when the elevator doors dinged open, and I stormed through them without looking... ending up smack dab against a solid chest. I backed up—even more annoyed—to glare up into a handsome face.

"Brendan," I spat in accusation.

"What did I do?" He pulled back with wide, blinking eyes.

"Your father and Seren's just informed her of your possible nuptials," Aideen explained merrily.

"They what?" Brendan's ultramarine eyes widened and the muscles in his broad shoulders flexed as his head pulled back even further.

It was hard to ignore the significant physical changes Brendan had gone through since last we met. No more lanky limbs and hollow chest; now he had sleek muscles and a confident bearing. His face had formed new angles; interesting lines at jaw and nose which made up for the almost non-existent thinness of his lips. There were thick lashes around those blue eyes and thick, auburn hair around that new face. Too bad our fathers' interference soured all that. Yeah, I was that person; push me one way, and I'll head in the opposite direction.

"Yep," was all I said to him. "And it's not happening."

"No problem," he huffed and angled out of my way.

"What?" I narrowed my stare; unsure whether I should be insulted or grateful.

"Well, what did you expect me to say?" His lips pulled back in distaste. "Yeah, I've always liked you, and I may have mentioned that to my father. I may have also seen a recent picture of you and suggested to my dad that he talk to yours about a possible... whatever." He shrugged. "But if you're not into me, that's fine. I'm not going to chase you around; begging you to give me a chance. I'll look elsewhere." He turned to leave.

"Hold on." I sighed, and Aideen grinned at me. I knew he was using basic reverse psychology on me but it still worked. As I said; push me one way, and I'll go the other. I needed to work on that.

"Yes?" Brendan turned around; sporting the wry smile I remembered from my childhood.

"I didn't mean to insult you; I was just pissed at being blindsided." I grimaced. "It's good to see you again, Brendan."

"It's good to see you too." He gave me a charming grin. "And I understand about the whole matchmaking thing. That might have pissed me off too, but it's kind of our culture. I mean, weren't you raised to expect something like this? At least now we have a choice; it used to be arranged marriages. You were set up by your parents and that was that."

"True." I bobbed my head. "But I don't know if I'm ready for marriage yet."

"We're both older than our parents were when they got married." He gave a slight head toss/shrug.

"We haven't seen each other in twelve years and yet you already want to get married?" I gaped at him.

"Hey, now!" Brendan held his hands up. "I said I was interested in getting to know you better, not that I wanted to put a ring on your finger."

"Oh." I blinked. "Okay then."

"Okay then?" He lifted his brows. "Does that mean you'll go out with me?"

"Uh." I blinked some more.

"Look, some of my friends and I are going out to an extinguisher club tonight. Why don't you come along?" He offered. "Just as friends so we can get reacquainted."

"I can't." I jerked a thumb at Aideen. "I've got to protect our witness."

"Oh, right." Brendan looked over at her. "I heard there was some major stuff going down."

"I'll stay here with your father," Aideen offered.

"You want to stay with my father?" I set wide eyes on her. "Just the two of you?"

"Sure." She shrugged. "He's not going to hurt me, Seren. He knows I'm important."

"Yeah, but he's not going to be pleasant company either," I warned.

"He will be if you tell him I'm the one who made it possible for you to go out with Mr. Murdock here," she suggested.

"You sassy little minx." I laughed. "All right then, we'll get you settled first."

"I already know which room you're in." Brendan grinned unabashedly. "How about I come by and get you in about an hour?"

"All right." I grinned back, and I had no idea why. Hadn't I said this wasn't going to happen?