Chapter 396: _It’s Only Family
Morozov Private Manor
"Finally, the prodigal son decides to grace me with his presence."
Irina spread out her arms, pulling her only son into a hug so big you’d think they hadn’t seen each other for years. Viktor stood, awkwardly raising a hand to pat his mother’s back under the scrutiny of the house staff gathered right in front of the manor.
"Mama, please." He whispered, pulling away once she let go. "You’re making it sound like we didn’t see each other just a couple of days ago."
"In a Conclave of global importance."
"We literally met before that. At Glacier Talon and then your ship, remember?"
The SS-Rank waved dismissively, snapping her fingers at a maid on standby. She approached them with a smile and a tray of what seemed to be simple lemonades at first glance.
"Thank you." Irina took a sip from hers the instant it entered her grasp. A side-eye from her made Viktor take the other glass, too. "Now, come on. Your uncle and aunt will be here any minute."
They moved toward the entrance, Viktor sighing at the reminder.
His uncle Konstantin and aunt Ksenia were coming over to America today. He hadn’t seen either of them in... well, since his father died.
"What could they possibly be visiting for?" He mumbled loud enough for Irina to hear, collapsing onto the nearest couch inside. "And why do I need to be here?"
Irina pinched his cheek before sitting beside him. "Because, darling. These are... perilous times." Her tone became grimmer. "Between all the disasters happening left, right and centre, it’s important to keep family close."
How heartwarming.
If Viktor didn’t know his mother any better, he would’ve bought that.
He grabbed the straw of his drink, using it to stir gently. "Why do I have a feeling that there’s something else you aren’t telling me?"
The older woman didn’t answer, a small smirk touching the corner of her lips as she took another sip from her drink.
"Take your drink, son."
Viktor scoffed.
He lifted the straw to his mouth.
The second he got some of the drink down his throat, his eyes lit up.
This wasn’t purely lemonade...
"There’s tequila in there in case you’re wondering," Irina sighed with satisfaction. "As well as other ingredients. I swear, if you’d told me Solomon was so proficient in whipping up beverages like this, I would’ve snatched him from you sooner."
His brows furrowed. "Solomon made this?"
Hurried footsteps approached, putting a pause to their conversation.
"Ma’am?"
Viktor glanced.
Speak of the devil.
His former assistant stood before them, donned in a black tuxedo like a stereotypical butler from those American soap operas.
He lowered his head a bit. "Ma’am, your siblings have entered the premises."
Irina set her glass aside, clapping once. "Wonderful." She got up, gaze fixed on the living room’s entrance. "Make sure the maids have the dining table set up perfectly for dinner."
Solomon nodded, giving Viktor an acknowledging look.
As the young man left, Viktor reluctantly rose to his feet as well. His chest tightened, hands clasping with anticipation in front of him.
It was only family.
This should go smoothly.
Soon enough, the large double doors were opened by a couple of staff members, ushering in a group of friendly faces, each from varying age groups.
Viktor wore a smile as his mother moved forward to welcome them.
★★★★★
Hale-Ferguson Residence
"Is he asleep?"
"Nah. He got an episode of SpongeBob playing in his room."
Ambrose had his arms folded as he walked over to Devon. The S-Rank stood before the kitchen countertop, dicing a large piece of steak he was going to add to dinner.
Yesterday Orion mentioned having a vision in class.
He said he saw a blonde woman whose face was away from him.
That was it.
Although the boy wasn’t disturbed by the vision and has been okay ever since... his parents couldn’t help but worry.
If there was anything they’d learnt about Orion’s powers, it’s that they didn’t activate randomly. Most times. Especially not with a deliberate detail as this.
"Gods, I don’t know what to do," Ambrose got beside Devon, almost immediately leaning against his shoulder. "I’ve got this feeling. The woman he saw definitely has something to do with the Archon on the loose."
Devon paused seasoning the steak. "Yes, but we can’t tell who she is. Unless we begin interrogating every blonde woman in the city."
"Not funny, Devon."
"I wasn’t trying to be funny, Rose." He threaded his fingers through his blonde hair, smiling at the irony. "I’m only pointing out that we’ve done the best we can. We’ve alerted the IHC. The Pantheon is involved and actively on the lookout as well. And we have Orion on our watch both here and at school."
Devon turned just enough to rest his forehead lightly against Ambrose’s.
"So, for now..." His voice softened. "Breathe. You don’t have to carry the weight of the whole world by yourself."
Ambrose remained quiet for a moment before the tension gradually left his shoulders.
"You’re right."
"Of course I am." Devon grinned, pressing a brief kiss against his lips before turning back to the countertop. "Now, since you’ve officially stopped spiraling for the next five minutes, would you mind helping me slice the vegetables?"
A small laugh escaped Ambrose despite himself.
He reached for the chopping board before his hand froze halfway.
...Future Ambrose.
His eyes widened ever so slightly.
The Black Mask.
If anyone understood the Archons better than anyone alive in this timeline, it was the version of himself who had actually fought them for years. Through the Black Mask’s pocket dimension, there was still a chance he could ask him something—anything—that might explain Orion’s vision.
"I’ll be right back," Ambrose said apologetically, already summoning the jet-black mask from his system storage. "Sorry, babe. There’s something I need to check."
Devon looked at the mask, immediately understanding. "Go."
With a grateful nod, Ambrose hurried out of the kitchen and took the stairs two at a time, disappearing upstairs with the Black Mask clutched firmly in his hand.