CHAPTER 211: CHAPTER 211: GUESTS AND PENDING DINNERS

The next interruption came just when Elias had finally managed to forget that honey existed.

The door chimed, soft and harmless, which in this house meant someone who didn’t want to die had chosen to knock.

Aswin looked up from his screen. "Expecting anyone?"

"No," Elias said, not looking up from the formulae scattered over his tablet. "Which probably means trouble disguised as a friend."

A voice floated in before the door even finished sliding open. "That’s slander. I’m everyone’s favorite kind of trouble."

"Connor," Aswin groaned. "Perfect. The holy trinity is now complete."

Connor stepped in, tall, smiling, every inch the kind of man who looked like he owned whatever room he walked into, and probably did, if it was registered property under one of his aliases. His tie was loose, his jacket open, and the faint scent of burnt ozone clung to him. He’d teleported or driven too fast. Possibly both.

"Elias," Connor greeted with that easy grin. "Still married to your dissertation, I see. I brought caffeine in solidarity."

Elias raised a brow under the gold-rimmed glasses and leaned back in his chair. "The only offering I accept."

Connor set the takeaway cup on the desk, leaned against it, and eyed him. "You look pale. Is Victor overworking you again?"

Aswin snorted quietly, trying his best to not spill everything he knew... well, everything safe to say, he was still a professional.

Robert froze mid-sip from his own coffee, eyes darting to Elias.

Elias pinched the bridge of his nose. "Define overworking."

Connor tilted his head, green eyes shining with that intelligence that meant he was on the trail and he wouldn’t stop until he find out the lie beneath. "You’re evading."

"Because it’s complicated."

The universe chose that exact moment to betray him.

The air shifted, just slightly, as Victor’s presence brushed the edge of the room, unseen but felt. The temperature rose, the stabilizers gave a faint, nervous hum, and Connor blinked. "Is he here?"

"Always," Elias muttered. "Like an unpaid haunting."

Victor appeared by the window a heartbeat later, in that quiet way he had when he didn’t feel like being theatrical. Coat dark, expression unreadable, eyes finding Elias first, always first, before shifting toward Connor.

"Connor," he said simply.

Connor grinned. "Look at you, appearing like a civilized god instead of a lightning bolt. I’m impressed." His gaze flicked back to Elias, then down to the tea on the counter, the open research files, and the distinct jar of honey placed suspiciously far away. "So... what did I miss?"

Elias opened his mouth and closed it again. Then sighed. "You’re going to find out anyway."

Victor moved closer, resting a hand lightly at the small of Elias’s back.

Connor’s brow arched. "Wait. Wait."

Aswin raised both hands while safely retreating to guard the door, even if he knew that at this point he and Robert were more babysitters than guards to Elias. "I’m not saying anything."

Robert muttered, "Smart man."

Connor looked between them, the grin slowly spreading until it was all teeth. "No. Absolutely not. Don’t tell me the two of you are..."

Elias gave up, exhaled, and leaned into Victor’s touch. "I’m pregnant."

There was a pause.

Then Connor laughed.

Not a polite chuckle, but an actual, full-bodied laugh that made Aswin wheeze and Robert duck behind the counter.

"Oh, this is beautiful," Connor said between breaths. "The god of divine order and destruction, the eternal, terrifying, untouchable Victor Numen, knocked up a mortal academic. Samael is going to love this."

Victor’s expression didn’t move. "He will keep his opinion to himself."

Connor wiped at his eyes, still laughing. "Oh, you think he will? You’ll have to tell him in person, brother. Which means..." He drew out the word like a curse. "You’ll have to go home."

The word landed like a stone.

Even Aswin stopped grinning, his eyes shifting to that dangerous glint that promised murder or someone being tacked to the floor. Most likely Connor.

Elias turned to Victor, curious. "Home?"

Victor’s jaw tightened. "The main mansion. The Numen family residence."

Connor clapped his hands together, delighted. "And Ruo’s there too. She’ll be thrilled."

Elias blinked. "Ruo? She’s there?"

Connor nodded, clearly enjoying himself far too much. "Yes. And she’s already in a mood. Something about ancient family politics and a divine inheritance audit. You’re going to make her year."

Victor’s tone went glacial. "She hates that house."

"Which is why it’s even funnier," Connor said cheerfully. "You’ll have to walk in with your omega, your child, and your apology ready. Samael, it’s fine, but the head of the family is still your father, even as a god, which makes him father-in-law to you." He pointed shamelessly at Elias.

Elias groaned softly, resting his forehead against the edge of the desk. "I survived gods, divine ether, and apocalyptic rituals. But your family dinners sound worse."

Victor didn’t disagree.

Connor grinned wider. "On the bright side, I’m coming too. Someone has to document the look on Samael’s face when you tell him he’s going to be an uncle."

Elias straightened just enough to give him a flat look. "You’re enjoying this way too much."

Connor spread his hands, the picture of innocence. "I’m providing emotional support."

"Mutually inclusive with mockery," Aswin muttered under his breath.

Connor winked. "Exactly."

Victor sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose like a man already anticipating regret. "You are pissed that I’ve used you for revenge on Uno."

Connor’s smile faltered just a little, his green eyes getting colder. "Of course." His smirk grew wider. "But he deserved it and he is trying to repent in his own twisted way."

"He’s after Jonathan, isn’t he?"

Connor’s grin froze midair, a crack of amusement gone brittle. He tilted his head, the light from the window catching on his green eyes. "You always were too perceptive for your own good," he said.

Victor didn’t answer. He didn’t have to.

Elias watched the exchange like someone witnessing two storms glance off each other, quiet, controlled, and one wrong word away from chaos. "Jonathan Clarke," he repeated slowly. "As in that Jonathan Clarke?"

Connor gave a small, humorless laugh. "Uno’s favorite new toy, apparently. The man’s curiosity has always leaned toward self-destruction. He’s taken an interest in Jonathan’s research. You know how Uno gets when something reminds him of himself."

"Obsessive?" Elias said dryly.

"Terminally," Victor murmured, eyes never leaving Connor.

Elias rubbed his temple. "So you’re telling me the Creator of the universe, who’s currently nursing a broken heart because you taught him about consequences, is now fixating on my relegated father?"