Chapter 17 ▴ Deep Waters

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Amelia never went to the mansion's study room before, but just like the rest of the house, it didn't disappoint

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Amelia never went to the mansion's study room before, but just like the rest of the house, it didn't disappoint.

It was like a library, like the one in Olympian High, but way grander and with fewer tables and chairs, which were no less fancy, to sit on. Bookshelves reached the very top of the ceiling that was decorated with chandeliers and golden embellishments.

Amelia wondered what her father and her half-brother wanted to talk about. As far as she knew, they didn't see each other eye to eye, and to hear from Elijah that both of them were in the same room waiting for her was surprising. Shocking even.

Speaking of the devils. . .

The two men were seated in one of the mahogany tables, engaging in some heated argument that they didn't notice Amelia entering the room. Poseidon's ocean blue eyes were closed shut while Demetrius talked. The latter seemed agitated by the way the former was listening to him. It looked a bit more ridiculous with the familiar little kid jumping behind them, a ninja figurine in his hand.

"Amelia!" Duke ran towards her and hugged her by the leg.

"Hey, little guy." Amelia ruffled the kid's messy raven hair. "It's been a while, and you look so tall now!"

"I've been eating lots of cheese!" Duke giggled.

Amelia chuckled. "Well, you keep up at it."

"Can you play with me?" he asked. "Pretty please?"

"Aw, of course." Amelia glanced at Poseidon and Demetrius, who were now looking at her expectantly. "But I'm kinda busy right now. I promise we'll play later, alright?"

Duke pouted. "Okay."

As Duke sulked to a corner with his toy, Amelia continued to the occupied table.

When Demetrius first told her that Duke was his nephew, he just had to forget to mention that Duke was a descendant of Demetrius' brother, Elias. Which meant the boy was her great-great grand-cousin to the umpteenth degree. . . or something.

And she found out about it the hard way. Kind of.

"I'm glad you could join us, my lotus," Demetrius said as Amelia settled on a chair beside Poseidon, who acknowledged her with a quick nod.

The speck of joy she felt instantly faded the moment she remembered why she was crying her eyes out yesterday. "What's this meeting all about?" she asked, frowning. "I thought you two didn't like talking to each other."

"That's what I thought, too," Poseidon grumbled.

Demetrius gazed at his daughter solemnly. "I know you are still grieving about Benjamin and coping—"

"Will you all just stop saying that and just cut to the chase?" Amelia snapped. "Just because I lost someone doesn't mean I'm weak enough to be pitied."

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