Russell smiled, watching the two boys scamper about. That was one thing he could be proud of doing—rescuing Xiao Fang.
Another one of the older children ran toward the stone fountain in the middle of the courtyard. “Let’s finish our game!” He covered his eyes and started counting.
The other children squealed and darted around the courtyard, looking for places to hide.
Howard pulled two bottles out of the ice chest and handed Russell a Bleer. “Have a seat. Enjoy the party.”
Russell shook his head. “I don’t want you guys going to hell with me.”
Howard took a sip from his bottle. “Well, that’s our decision, don’t you think?”
“You have wives and children. How can you risk dying in hell?”
Howard shrugged. “Any of us could die at any time. Not that I’m being flippant about it, but we know that whatever happens to us, the children will always be loved and taken care of. We’re family.” Howard gave him a pointed look. “You’re part of the family, too.”
Russell snorted. “I’m not good at family. I just killed my brother.” He wrenched open the Bleer and took a long drink.
Howard gave him one of those sympathetic looks that he hated, so Russell changed the subject. “Where did all these kids come from? I don’t even know who they are.”
“Well, that’s because you’ve been living like a hermit for the past two years.” Howard motioned to the blond boy at the fountain, who had counted up to forty-seven. “That’s Roman’s son, Constantine. He’s seven.”
Russell recalled meeting Tino over two years ago. “He’s grown a lot.”
“You know Xiao Fang and Norjee.” Howard pointed at the two boys who were crouching by the fountain on the opposite side from where Tino was counting.
Russell smiled. It was a good strategy, and one he’d employed often as a kid. Not hiding at all but positioning yourself so close to home that you could reach it before getting caught.
A girl ran up to Howard. “Help me, Uncle Howard. Mom and Dad went back to the kitchen to get some Blardonnay.”
Howard grinned as he opened the ice chest. “You can hide behind here.”
She kneeled down.
“This is Sofia, Roman and Shanna’s daughter,” Howard explained. “How old are you now? Five?”
She nodded. “Don’t let Tino see me.”
Howard chuckled, then pointed at a flagpole. “See the two little ones who think they’re actually hiding?”
Russell couldn’t help but smile at the two toddlers who were sitting behind the pole. The little girl had black curls, and the boy a shock of red hair.
“Those two are inseparable,” Howard said. “Ian’s little girl and Robby’s little boy. They’ll both turn two in the fall. Oh, they have company.” Howard laughed as two more young children crowded behind the pole. “Those are the Panterra twins, Eric and Adriana. They’ve just turned two. They all know each other from being at Dragon Nest Academy.”
“And those?” Russell pointed to the chapel, where an older girl was hiding with two younger ones.
“The Echarpe kids. Bethany’s about ten now, and the twins are four. And over there, Phineas and Brynley are chasing after their twins. Ben and Gwen have graduated from walking to running at full speed.”
“You keep up with all of this?” Russell gave the were-bear a wry look. “You must like kids.”
Howard nodded and aimed a happy look at his wife. Elsa was sitting at one of the tables, deep in conversation with Neona. “Elsa’s helping Neona design a big nursery here in the castle. Zoltan wants me continue to work here as head of security, so it looks like we’ll have our twins here.”
“That’s good.” Russell spotted Connor at the entrance to the castle, helping a little redheaded toddler scramble up the stairs. “I guess that’s Connor’s son.”
“Yeah.” Howard chuckled when the boy grabbed at his father’s kilt. “I heard the Scottish guys complaining that they have to wear underwear under their kilts now. The little ones keep tossing their kilts up. That one is Gabriel. He’s a year and a half.”
At the mention of the name Gabriel, Russell tensed. He was sick of waiting for news from the angels. He wanted Jia back now. “I brought some antique pistols with me. I . . . I’d like to sell them if any of the guys would be interested.”
Howard tilted his head, considering. “Zoltan has a collection in the armory. I think Jean-Luc has a collection, too, though he’s more into swords.”
Just then, Tino shouted, “One hundred. Ready or not, here I come!” He looked about and grinned at the four toddlers lined up behind the flagpole.
Meanwhile, Norjee and Xiao Fang touched home and laughed when Tino scowled at them. Sofia crept away from the ice chest and inched along the tables.
When Tino’s back was turned, she made a mad dash for the fountain. He spotted her and gave chase, finally tapping her on the shoulder.
“You’re it!” Tino announced, then winced when his sister stomped on his foot.
Howard chuckled. “Where are the pistols?”
“In the armory.”
Howard nodded. “I’ll get the keys and the guys and meet you there.”
Russell teleported inside the armory, turned on the light, and finished his bottle of Bleer while he waited for the others to arrive. Soon he heard the door unlock and footsteps coming down the stairs.