Smolder Chapter 5

“Jade, meet my brother—” Luke began before he could finish his little brother jumped in.
“Hi, I’m Luca Francis and you’re Jade! I told everyone at school that you were staying at my house. Boy, are they jealous! And—”
Aiden quickly covered his mouth, but Jade could still hear him mumbling through his fingers. She smiled and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Luca.”
He eagerly shook her hand, pumping it up and down with more energy than Jade anticipated. After a few moments, she gave Aiden a look, silently asking for help. He pulled his brother away, laughing.
“Luca, go get Mom and Dad.”
“But, Aiden…” he whined, dragging his feet.
“Go,” he repeated, chuckling as he gently pushed his brother forward.
“Fine! But when I get back I’m showing Jade what I can do. It’s going to be awesome having you around, Jade. My sister is so boring. She’s always with her boyfriend or doing her hair or some other stupid girl thing but you’re going to be so much fun!” With that, he turned and dashed toward their parents, leaving Jade momentarily shell-shocked.
“What did I tell you?” Aiden said, throwing an arm over her shoulder. “He’s your number-one fan.”
She laughed lightly. “Well, let’s just hope I can live up to his expectations.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he grinned, steering her forward. “Come on, it’s time to meet the rest of my family.”
“Are they all as energetic as Luca?” she asked, following his lead.
“Nope,” he said with a smile. “He’s one-of-a-kind.”
She glanced back at Luca, now chatting animatedly with his parents. “He’s so much younger than you and Summer…” she trailed off, hesitant to pry.
“Yeah, well, my parents had a little too much fun on their anniversary one year,” he said with a mock shudder. “It’s too gross for me to think about.”
She snorted, nodding in sympathy. She’d felt the same way when she realized her parents were still…active. Ew, she thought, quickly shaking the mental image away. The last thing she wanted on her mind when meeting Aiden’s parents for the first time was…that. She could already feel a blush creeping up her cheeks.
“So, what have you told them about me?” she asked, eager to steer the conversation into safer territory.
“I’ve told them a little about your powers, how we became friends and a vague version of what happened with Skye. I never mentioned anything about Benjamin or you saving my life that’s too complicated.”
“Yeah, probably for the best,” she agreed, shrugging. She knew all too well how awkward it would be if the town learned she was dating a demon a kind, caring, and polite demon, she thought with a smile. But given how shocked everyone had been when she spoke back to the Conclave, revealing that she was in love with one would likely send them into a full-blown panic.
“Well, here we are,” he said softly as they stopped a few feet from his parents. “Mom, Dad, this is Jade.”
“So nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Francis,” she said politely, extending her hand. “Thank you so much for letting me stay with you for the next few weeks.”
“Of course, Jade. We’re delighted to meet you, too,” Aiden’s father said, shaking her hand. Up close, he looked almost exactly like an older version of Aiden, with friendly eyes, and a warm demeanor. “And please, call me Samuel.”
“And I’m Scarlett,” his mother added, offering her hand as well. Jade noticed that while Scarlett didn’t resemble Aiden as closely as Samuel did there was something in her bright smile and the warmth of her eyes that mirrored Aiden’s easygoing charm. “We’re so happy to have you here. Aiden’s been talking about you nonstop for months now.”
“Okay, Mom,” he quickly interjected, his face flushing. Jade nearly laughed at the sight. Aiden, blushing? Impossible. He was always so confident and carefree. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to my sister,” he said, gesturing toward Summer standing a few steps behind.
“Hi, Jade,” she said warmly, stepping forward. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you Aiden’s been so excited for you to visit Crystal River. I think I speak for all of us when I say welcome. I hope you enjoy your time here.”
Jade smiled, feeling relief wash over her as Summer pulled her into a quick hug. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all, she thought.
“Silly me, I’m Summer,” the older girl added, stepping back.
“It’s so great to meet you,” Jade replied. “Aiden’s told me a little about you mostly about the disco ball he stole from your room.”
She raised her eyebrows in surprise and then turned to him. “Really, Aiden? You told her about that?”
He grinned sheepishly. “It’s a good story.”
She shook her head, though there was a hint of affection in her expression. “Why don’t you and Luca grab the picnic basket, so Jade and I can have a little girl time while we fold the blanket?”
He smiled, clearly appreciating his sister’s tact. “Sure thing,” he said, lifting Luca off the ground and swinging him over his shoulder. Grabbing the picnic basket with his free hand, he walked off with his brother, their parents following closely behind.
Jade watched them walk away but when she met Summer’s gaze the warmth from earlier had faded her smile was still there, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. There was something cold and calculating in her expression now.
And just like that, the mirage was shattered.
“So, Jade,” she began, her voice still polite but with an unmistakable edge, “you’re the famous mixed breed we’ve all heard so much about.”
The way she said mixed-breed made Jade’s stomach twist. She’d heard that term before, but never with such a subtle sting attached to it.
“Yeah,” she said carefully, trying to gauge where this was going.
Summer folded the blanket in her hands, her movements deliberate. “It must be…interesting, being part Seraphina and part human you must feel…torn. In a lot of ways.”
Jade’s heart pounded, and she forced herself to stay calm. “It has its challenges,” she replied, keeping her tone even. “But I’ve learned to manage.”
Summer’s eyes flicked up, locking with Jade’s. “I’m sure you have,” she said, her smile widening, though it felt more like a challenge than a friendly gesture.
Jade swallowed hard. This might be harder than I thought.
“Okay, let’s talk girl to girl.” her arms were crossed, her hip cocked to the side, and her glare had returned in full force. Jade sighed internally. Here we go, she thought, bracing herself for whatever was coming.