"But it could be better," Meryn continued. "In Lycaonia, there are people of all four races, so it's almost like we get the best of the four cities. Maybe a little bit of diversity would go a long way in helping people with changes."
Ivan took a sip of soup. "That is very forward thinking of you."
Meryn played with her spoon. "I just like my creature comforts."
"Like your Wi-Fi?" he asked. She nodded. "But not all races are the same," Ivan protested. "For example, take humans, they have very little to offer," he said, a smarmy look on his face. He was clearly baiting Meryn.
To everyone's astonishment, Meryn nodded her agreement. "Before I found Lycaonia, I pretty much stayed to myself. I didn't get along with those around me. I found them to be manipulative, greedy liars. I've found more friends amongst paranormals in the last six months than any humans in my entire life."
Kari could see the calculating look in Ivan's eyes. He looked too pleased. "I am pleasantly surprised to find that you are a very intelligent and objective young woman. We may have gotten off on the wrong foot earlier, when we had our little 'episode'. But I do believe you are a very fitting mate to one in power, like our Unit Commander."
Meryn smiled. Her acquiescent behavior had everyone wondering if a bomb was ticking in the corner. Kari found herself concerned about Meryn's statements. Did she really hate humans? Under the table, Declan gave her hand a squeeze. He met her eyes, and he gave a slight shake of his head. Kari began to relax. Of course, he was right, Meryn was not like DeLaFontaine at all.
Between Kari and Bethy, they managed to keep the topics neutral, and slowly and painfully, the dinner came to an end. In the antechamber, as they were saying goodbyes, DeLaFontaine shook hands with Magnus, who winced, and then Aiden.
Aiden frowned looking down. "You may want to get your cufflinks checked." He rubbed his hand.
Ivan shook his head "I told my squire to get that looked at, my apologies. My efforts to entice Sebastian to my home have failed, I have to make do with who I have." He looked over at Meryn. "This is been a most productive dinner."
Aiden stepped closer to his mate. With a final wave DeLaFontaine left and Sebastian closed the door firmly behind him.
Meryn yawned and then stretched. "Bedtime."
"Not so fast, pint size," Eva protested.
Kari wasn't the only one staring at Meryn. Ryuu walked up behind his charge. "She did not mean it the way it sounded."
Kari looked at Meryn. "So she did not mean to sound like a DeLaFontaine-human-hating sympathizer?"
Meryn's mouth dropped. "I'm not a douchebag."
"No, you're not, but you weren't lying; you weren't playing the game, and he knew that." Bethy chewed on her lower lip.
"No, but it was different before," Meryn said. "Before I met you all, people sucked. I didn't like anyone..." she paused. "I didn't like humans..." Her eyes grew wide. "Oh my god," she whispered. "I'm a racist." Her voice sounded horrified.
Behind her, Ryuu snorted, Bethy slapped her forehead, and Kari began to laugh. Eva ruffled her hair, "Hey little bit, before you label yourself a racist, you might want to make sure you weren't just surrounded by assholes."
"Oh yeah, good point." Meryn looked a bit relieved.
Rex smiled down at Meryn. "I do not believe you hate someone for just being human. The fact that you grew up amongst humans and hated most of them is more a matter of statistics."
Meryn smirked up at him. "I was disappointed that you didn't beat him down with those muscular arms of yours."
Rex blushed a bit. "I wanted to, of course, but I was raised attending political dinners, as was Declan. We know when to act and when to keep quiet."
Meryn nodded. "Right. Bethy said something like that. Being an adult sucks."
Aiden turned to Law. "You were strangely quiet during dinner as well. Earlier, her headache, was that her magic?"
Law nodded. "Since it's so wild, I think were gonna leave the door open for a bit."
Meryn looked up at him in confusion. "But isn't that a bad thing?"
Law shook his head. "No, I think it was fighting you so hard because it knew the door was closed, and it couldn't come out. If we leave it open just a bit and it knows it can come and go as it pleases that might actually make it easier for you."
Meryn nodded. "That makes sense."
"What I found interesting was that you were having such a reaction to DeLaFontaine. Do you want to know what I saw?" he asked, grinning.