Chapter 9: Of Observations and Cold Food

By the time the two of them finally arrived at the dinner table, the food was stone cold and only Tessa was left sitting at the table. She raised a slow eyebrow at Liam as he gingerly sat down next to her.

"It's about time." Tessa spoke softly, but Seraphine heard the curiosity underlying her voice. It was no secret that their parents had hoped for their children to get along, and more. But until now, little had actually brought them together. So she could see why Tessa was curious.

"I was giving Sera a tour of our institute…" Liam began, and Sera suddenly began to panic. I never told him not to tell! He'll give away my secret, and no one will look at me the same again! Her burnt gold eyes widened and she began plotting how to shut him up, no matter what it took. I am not a monster. I refuse to let anyone look at me like I am one. I am in control.

Just as she opened her mouth to discredit Liam, he quickly shut his by shoveling in a heaping spoonful of mashed potatoes. Tessa chuckled slightly. If there was one thing Liam had inherited from his father, it was his ability to enjoy food. When Jem had returned to himself, Tessa had never tired of making him new foods, never tired of taking him to new places. Liam, since his first days of life, was no different.

Sera watched, with some amusement, as Liam completely shut himself off to the world as he ate. She relaxed, trying the food Tessa had made.

Oh. She thought, I see why he eats so intensely. She took another bite, then another and another. Tessa's a fantastic cook. I wonder how good this would have been if it was actually warm.

Not surprisingly, the rest of the dinner passed in silence. Tessa spent the time observing her son, trying to gage his behavior. She knew Seraphine had a peculiar effect on everyone, but for some reason, Liam was doubly affected. Every emotion she had ever seen in Liam was magnified twofold when Seraphine was around. She was electric to him, she made him stand out in a crowd, his smile brighter than around anyone else.

Of course, that meant his anger was even more ferocious. Across the board, Seraphine made him more powerful but also more vulnerable. She was a double edged sword.

But a double edged sword was necessary sometimes. And for this mission, they very well could need a wild card.

Tessa suspected Seraphine had some remnant of heavenly fire in her being, but had no idea how or when it would be revealed. Liam's gifts were only of use in high emotional states, but they were useful nonetheless.

Which was exactly why she had pushed for him to be paired with Seraphine for this mission, and no one else. Secretly, she hoped Seraphine would train him to use his gifts wisely. Her temper would force him to be calm, or he would learn the extent of his powers.

Of course, the mission mattered to her as well. The recent demon attacks were stranger than the rest, of a certain pattern and will not unlike those of her past. But Tessa pushed down those thoughts. She hated to think her dearest son would be sent into such danger so soon. And with a firecracker of a girl.

"Have you two planned to train for tonight? Two weeks is not a lot of time, I fear." Tessa's voice was soft, but sharp. Liam knew the tone well.

"I've already looked at the piece, we could try a few run-throughs tonight." Seraphine meekly offered. Liam smiled. So she did have some measure of decency!

"What did you think of the piece?" Liam asked, curious to hear her thoughts. He watched as her golden eyes lit up like embers as she thought about the music with joy and fondness.

"It was beautiful. The minor key, the tempo changes…the sweet, complete ending…what wasn't to like? It felt like I followed two lovers throughout their relationship, an amazingly haunting tune…I can't quite describe it but it soothed my soul." Her voice flowed with description, a tone that she hardly ever used. Liam felt it coat his ears, like he could listen to her for days. What a stark difference from how she normally speaks to me. It's…beautiful...like her.

Liam snapped his eyes up to his mother as she raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you're quite smitten with it."

Wait, what are these thoughts? We haven't even spent any time together, I can't be thinking she's beautiful. Liam pulled himself together and returned to reality.

"Oh yes," Seraphine gushed, looking so much younger than Liam had ever seen. "I could kiss the composer, whoever they are, they're phenomenal. I can only imagine how the duet will sound."

Tessa chuckled. "You hear that Liam? Looks like you'll be getting a kiss soon." Liam turned bright red as she spoke, looking down embarrassedly. Seraphine stopped cold.

"You wrote the piece?" Liam watched the blood drain from her face as he nodded mutely. "You're a composer?" Tessa watched with amusement.

"I'll be leaving you two alone now, Sera, you do need him for the mission, so please don't attack my son for his excellent composing skills." With that, she left the two staring each other down, all the while laughing to herself. I've never seen a better match. They're made for each other…if only they can bring themselves to realize it.

A/N Hello everyone, soooooo sorry it has literally taken me a year to update this story! I've been busy graduating and applying to medical school so I haven't had much time. But now I am back, so let me know what you think! Hope you haven't given up on me yet!

~Alison