I learn a lot about characters as I write them, and this is especially true about side characters. Characters who primarily exist out of logical necessity. If Kisara is to have a family, then they need to be people, if you understand me.

So eventually, I need to know who they are.

I've never been a particularly diligent planner. I mostly make this shit up on the fly.

It usually works out.


.


Henry St. Vincent watched Seto carefully as the silence settled in, mustaches twitching, but something changed in his expression. He looked like he'd just realized something, just come to a specific conclusion, and it was illuminating to him.

Seto sat and regarded the man coolly, confidently, showing nothing. It meant nothing to him, whatever way this went; this family meant nothing to him. If they made the wrong decision, then it was their loss and not Kisara's. That didn't mean, however, that he was a stranger to her dilemma: loving people who'd hurt her.

So he held out hope, if only for her sake.

And possibly for the sake of her younger siblings.

Henry drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I think," he said, "that I've misjudged you. I ought to apologize." He settled back into his chair and looked out across his yard. "Mama's been telling me I'm too harsh with my kids, pretty much ever since Rhett first learned to walk." He turned his attention back to Seto. "I'm sorry," he said.

Rhett, Seto knew, was Kisara's brother. The firstborn St. Vincent child.

Seto nodded in acknowledgement of the apology, and it crossed his mind to wonder how such a thoroughly midwestern family would name their first daughter Kisara of all things. Then he remembered that magic had been involved. There was no benefit to unpacking that; it was Kisara's destiny to be Kisara.

Henry went on: "I thought it was just something that grandmothers say. Every generation thinks the one that comes after it is foolish and doing everything wrong, just like how every generation thinks the one that came before it is old-fashioned and stubborn. I get the feeling this is just something I've been telling myself." He nodded, like he was finally realizing something for himself; like he was finalizing it. Casting it in iron. "I think . . . I've known. Kay hasn't been happy here for a long time. When Zel sent that invitation, I think I was prepared to hear nothing. I think maybe I was hoping for it. It would've proved that my baby girl finally knew what was best for herself. That she was finally comfortable enough to make a stand."

"I think," Seto said, "she does. In the end." He picked his words carefully. "I hope that you understand something here: Kisara St. Vincent isn't a charity case for me. She is my employee; one of my finest. You've raised a good woman, a wonderful human being, a light in this world, and that's the primary reason I am here."

"Employee," Henry repeated slowly; the surprised relief on his face told Seto he'd been right. The St. Vincent patriarch had been harboring a secret fear that his daughter simply landed herself a sugar daddy, that she was making use of her looks, her charm, and little else.

Seto considered being insulted at this idea, but he remembered he was dealing with a conservative, political family. He decided it would be best to take his victories where he could get them.

"Correct," Seto said. "Your daughter is quite possibly the sharpest security operative I've ever hired. It may be that, when you look at her now, you see a fearful girl with little chance in the real world. You might think that you need to take her back into your house to protect her. Allow me to assuage you of any such concern. The fear she exhibits right now is a product of the fears she's been harboring deep in herself about this meeting, with you and the rest of her family. Nothing else."

Henry crossed his arms over his chest. "She doesn't know how to take the courage she's found, the courage she's earned, and bring it back here." His face fell. "When she's here, she's just a girl. Just our little Kay. Not a woman, not strong, not proud. Just a scared little girl."

Seto nodded.

Henry sighed heavily. He stood and held out a hand.

Seto shook it.

"Thank you, friend."