Multiple sets of eyes watched me walk through. I headed straight for Flynn. It was his house, he could introduce me to everyone.
“Serena. Glad you could make it.” He smiled at me, but I noticed it didn’t reach his eyes. “Let me introduce you to everyone. This is my father, Saxton; and my mother, Lily. Then this is my stepmother, Carrie; and my Stepfather, Wes.”
I shook hands with everyone and exchanged pleasantries. Flynn was so like his mother. She was slim with dark hair and similar piercing eyes though hers were gray.
“Let me take you to meet all the other parents, Serena.” Lily said.
She steered me away and immediately began chatting. “I’ve heard so much about you, Serena. My son is very taken with you. All the boys are.”
I stared at her. “I like them very much too.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” She said. “I would hate to have to drain you.”
My head snapped back around at her, my mouth open.
“I’m just kidding, Serena. Oh my God, your face. Sorry. I couldn’t resist. We don’t do that, honestly.”
“What have you done to the poor girl, Lily? She’s white as a ghost.”
“I went too far with my jokes as per usual. How Flynn came out as cool and collected as he did I have no idea. His father is so passionate and I’m so impulsive.”
I wanted to say he’d inherited the passion from his father but didn’t really feel like talking about her son’s prowess.
I was introduced to Smith’s father, Jayden’s parents, and Carter’s parents. It was strange meeting them in real life after seeing them in magazines.
Introductions over, there was nothing but polite chit chat and I began to relax. Until Smith shouted over from the staircase.
“Oh, Serena. I thought you might like to meet my biological mother. After all you’ve been very interested in my parentage. It seems she's been keeping secrets from us both.”
The room went quiet and my eyes focused on the woman walking down the staircase.
Morgan.
My boss.
“Hello, Serena, darling.” Morgan air-kissed my cheeks. “You’re looking pale.” She whispered over to me. “They’re not taking too much are they when they nip?”
“I- I don’t understand?”
“Oh Serena. I’ve been running Revealed for years. The anonymity of our identities not being revealed means no one ever has to question the fact I’m not aging. But now you’ve seen me as you know me, let me just take away my glamor. Her hair changed from its short red pixie crop to a medium length platinum blonde bob.
“If you haven’t worked it out yet, Morgan is my older sister.” Linda explained. “She was born Ellen, but our mother never really liked that name so we all called her by her middle name instead.”
“Your mom had two children?” I queried, knowing what I did about vampire fertility.
“Yes. She was extremely fortunate. There aren’t many who get to carry more than one child.”
My brows creased. “So why does no one know you’re Smith’s mom?”
Morgan rolled her eyes. “Because I never wanted to be a mother in the traditional sense of the word. I love my son but I didn't want to spend my time changing diapers and making baby talk. I like my career and traveling around the world. Bill and I agreed that we’d say he was born to a surrogate officially, then the press wouldn’t hound me forever, portraying me as a terrible mother. I was fortunate that Bill was a fantastic father. Anyhow, I've worked in magazines for years and I hate those gossip mags that have no evidence, so I decided to run one that did. I've ruined many an enemies life doing so. It's such fun.”
"Yeah, now I know why we've never appeared in it. The last I knew you were working for Glamour." Smith said.
"Yes, well now I just do them, not work for them. I so prefer being my own boss." She reached up and patted Smith on the cheek, turning toward me. "I know I'll never win mother of the year but my son means a lot to me."
I grabbed a glass of wine from a passing waiter. The need to drink was very real.
"So why send me to investigate a story on your son and his friends?" I bit my bottom lip.