The Flame Game (Magical Romantic Comedies #12) - R.J. Blain Page 0,14

share of angelic tendencies. His sisters are wicked little seductresses, probably to balance out how goody-goody Sam became.”

“Mom,” my husband complained. “My sisters are not out seducing strippers, are they?”

“They really are. I can’t even blame them. We went to a strip club and got a very pleasant surprise. Vegas has some nice men. How could I deny them? They wanted to enjoy the local offerings. It’s not my fault you’re the only one of my children who has decided marriage is interesting.”

According to Quinn’s sigh, his family would break him sooner or later. “I can’t believe you brought my sisters to Vegas. They’ll take it over, and once they get bored, they’ll probably destroy or sell it because they have nothing better to do, and there’s no adult supervision here to convince them it’s not a good idea to sell or destroy an entire city.”

“Don’t say such mean things about your sisters. It’s your father’s fault they’re so randy. It’s a gorgon thing.”

Quinn’s father shrugged. “Says the daughter of an incubus.”

“Well, that didn’t help matters any, that’s for certain. How did you turn out so angelic, Sam? Where did I go wrong with you?” Without waiting for her son to reply, Quinn’s mother dragged me through the crowd, who wisely made way for the insane woman on a mission. What her mission was remained a mystery, but I’d find out soon enough.

Three

I don’t know what I did, but I’m sorry.

Quinn’s mother dragged me to a mat placed disturbingly close to the canal’s edge and shoved me in the general direction of my husband’s grandfather, who kept me from falling on my face or plunging into the water.

“I don’t know what I did, but I’m sorry,” I whispered to the gorgon.

Archambault Quinn patted my shoulders. “My little grandson’s mother is energetic, and she shares certain tendencies with her angelic father. As such, she is hoping all of her eligible offspring start producing children in high numbers.”

“Well, I’m married to a gorgon-incubus doohickey, so if she’s expecting anything less from her son, she’s even crazier than I am. Considering how often I ask to fight for the right to claim baby gorgons, I don’t even know what she’s thinking. I’m concerned for Sam’s sisters, though. His mother said they were out to seduce strippers?”

The gorgon pointed to the other side of the canal, where an entire gaggle of dark-haired, tall, and beautiful women bounced behind a cordon the hotel had set up to keep people from falling into the water. “She lies. Those are his sisters. The younger ones are with my bride, who would rather not see me fight with you, as she’d be torn over joining in. As she doesn’t know if she wants to fight with you or defend me, I suggested she take care of the younger girls.”

My eyes widened, as they were all feminine versions of my husband. “They certainly look like they could seduce any stripper they want.”

“And they have their fair share of incubus genes, so they’re quite adept at finding men when they want them. Thanks to those genes, they’ll likely become surrogates for hives, as they have inherited tendencies from both sides of the family. Little Samuel is unfit for such a life. His sisters are quite interested, if you please—or even if you don’t. They didn’t inherit any dignity from either side of the family.” The gorgon sighed.

“What are we waiting for?”

“Local law enforcement to oversee everything. It should only be a few more minutes now that you’ve arrived.”

I nodded, and as I had nothing else to do, I went to work greeting all of Archambault’s serpents, noting most of them were primed to bite. “Is this demonstration to see how many times a coral snake can bite me before I start frothing at the mouth? Their sacs are full.” The worst of the lot made a forlorn hiss and nuzzled my hand. “Look at him. He’s going to burst if he doesn’t bite. The poor baby. How could you be so cruel to him?”

“I’m sure he’ll get his chance to bite you soon enough. You wanted a fight, and since I can’t petrify you, I came prepared. I have arranged for a little angelic and devilish help on that front, however, as I’d rather you not literally froth—and it will allow some of the humans to experience a gorgon’s bite without death being involved. There is paperwork for most humans, as the partners of those bitten must consent to a