Gideon's Promise (Sons of Judgment Book 2) by Airicka Phoenix, Morgana Phoenix Page B

know how to summon a demon, never mind actually strike a bargain with one.”
    “What about the harpies?” Riley asked, looking from one face to the next. “Did they take sides during the war?”
    His mom and dad exchanged glances, both deliberating the question.
    “The harpies joined the demons, I believe,” his mother mused quietly, but she seemed unsure. “It was so long ago.”
    “I believe you’re right,” his father agreed.
    “Had they joined the angels in the war, would they have been Casters as well?” Riley asked.
    “I think it was Pindaros who said, dulce bellum inexpertis —war is sweet for those who haven’t experienced it,” Gideon recited smoothly, taking a swig of his drink.
    “Not everyone who joined the angels became Casters,” his father said, ignoring Gideon. “Most were assigned other tasks. Others were sent back to their homes until the next war.”
    Riley seemed to think about this. Gideon could almost see the wheels turning behind her eyes.
    “Could it be the angels doing this?” she said at last.
    His mother blinked. “The angels? Why would they want to kill anyone? The war is over.”
    Riley shrugged. “Maybe they’re bored, or maybe they want to be prepared. I don’t know.”
    It was his father who shook his head and answered, “No, I don’t believe it’s the angels. Demons I would believe.”
    “What about another veil creature?” Octavian added. “Perhaps someone with a grudge.”
    His father rose to his feet with an audible sigh. “It could be anyone,” he said. “We won’t know until we do some more digging, and hopefully stop any further attacks before they happen.” He rounded his eyes on Gideon when Gideon lifted his whiskey to his lips. “I saw Valkyrie before we left. She seemed upset.”
    Refusing to meet the ten pairs of eyes scrutinizing his every movement, Gideon took another sip, licked his lips before speaking.
    “ Quod scripsi scripsi —what I have written, I have written,” he recounted to his glass.
    “Oh stop with the quotes, Gideon,” his mother scolded. “What does that even mean?”
    Gideon narrowed his eyes. “You’d have to ask John 19:22 . He said it first.”
    His mother seemed highly unimpressed with his cleverness. “Well, I hope you will apologize for whatever you said to that girl.”
    Gideon blinked. He turned his gaze to his mother and blinked again. “What makes you think I had anything to do with her sour mood? It could be that time of the month for all we know.”
    It was aggravating and amusing that no one looked like they believed him.
    “She’s one of us, Gideon.” His father’s calm response had Gideon’s head coming around in surprise. How could his father possibly know that? Then he was speaking again. “There aren’t many of us left. It wouldn’t do to start isolating others, especially now.”
    Of course. It had nothing to do with the fact that Valkyrie was Gideon’s mate. They were talking about the attacks and banding together. He should have felt relief.
    “What can I say,” he hoisted his feet up on the table and leaned his chair back on two legs. “Women either want to spank me, or strip me naked. Sometimes at the same time.” He grinned wickedly at Imogen, who flushed and quickly looked away.
    “Where did you get that ego of yours?” his mother huffed.
    “ Walmart ,” Gideon answered at once. “They had a two for one.”
    Riley laughed, but she was the only one, and the only one he winked slyly at. That was what he loved about her, no matter how bad his jokes were, she always laughed.
    “Has there been any word from Magnus and Reggie?” his father interrupted before his mother could plow on with whatever speech she had rolling around in her head.
    Deterred, his mother shook her head. “I don’t expect to see them until this evening.” She worried her lip between her teeth. “I hate when he goes there.”
    Moving around the table, his father rested his hand slightly on her shoulders.