Liam Takes Manhattan (Elder Races #9.5)(9)

Exasperated, Liam flung up both hands. “The United Kingdom is a big place, Dad. Not only that, but Glenhaven closes their passageway during every term.”

Dragos folded his arms. “The United Kingdom might be a big place, but in many ways, the Elder Races world is a small one. Being my son will attract a lot of attention wherever you go.”

Quickly, Liam crossed the living room. He said eagerly, “But that’s the beauty of this—I don’t want to go to college as a Cuelebre.”

Pia stared at him. “Why not?”

He couldn’t keep his fists from clenching again, as he said, “For the exact reason Dad just brought up. Please don’t take this the wrong way, but you are a really hard act to follow. Your reputation is—well, it’s just everywhere. There’s no place I can go to escape it if I go as Liam Cuelebre.”

Dragos’s expression didn’t change, but he blinked. He said roughly, “I didn’t know you were having a problem with being my son, or that you felt the need to escape.”

Agh. Now he had managed to hurt both his parents. Way to go, *.

Forcing his way past his own frustration, he reached for gentleness. “That’s not what I meant. I love you, and I am proud to be your son. I’m just finding it difficult to live in your shadow. I have to figure out my own way to go in life.” He looked at Pia. “I used your maiden name. I set up a new email address, rented a P.O. box, and I filled out the Glenhaven application as Liam Giovanni. I’m pretty sure that guy doesn’t have a reputation anywhere that he needs to watch out for.” He paused, and then in as neutral a tone as he could manage, he added, “Not only that, but he would probably qualify for either an academic or magical scholarship.”

With that, he put everything out there. He knew he was gifted intellectually and magically. While he didn’t come right out and say it, the information made it clear—he didn’t need his parents’ money to go to college. He didn’t need their approval.

And he could see in their expressions that they knew it too. Pia blinked rapidly as she absorbed everything he said, while Dragos rubbed his forehead.

Liam’s chest felt funny, heavy and dull. He walked over to the couch to sit beside his mom again and put his arm around her. As she leaned against his side, he hugged her and whispered, “I’ve really thought this through, and I want you to be happy for me.”

“Okay,” Dragos said suddenly. Both Pia and Liam turned to him in surprise.

“Okay?” Liam asked, hardly daring to hope. “You mean, it’s okay if I go?”

“I’ve listened to your argument, and I’ve changed my mind. I think you’re right.” Dragos leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, and his hard-edged face looked alert. He looked at Pia. “This idea will work. We’ve always protected Liam’s privacy, and we’ve kept a tight lid on his growth spurts. Even those who do know wouldn’t necessarily recognize him after this latest one. Look at him. He looks more like you than he does me.”

Nodding, Pia wiped her face. She said to Liam, “You would have to keep your Wyr form a secret. Sometimes that takes some tap dancing so you would have to stay on your guard, but you can do it.”

“And I won’t hear another word about you taking a scholarship,” Dragos added. “You’re my son. I will pay for your college, and living expenses, and anything else you need while you’re in school.”

This time, his father’s autocratic way of speaking didn’t bother him in the slightest. The heavy dull feeling eased, to be replaced by a rush of emotion so intense, tears sprang to his eyes again.

He muttered around a lump in his throat, “Thanks.”

“Of course”—Dragos met his gaze—“I have stipulations.”

Stipulations were fine. They were good—they weren’t an outright refusal. “Oh yeah?” he replied. “Like what?”

“I want an undercover presence in Glenhaven, and another one in Edinburgh to protect the entrance to the crossover passageway. And you don’t linger or go on a UK walkabout between terms. There’s no sense in taking unnecessary chances. You go in, and when you come out, you leave Scotland entirely.”

That all sounded reasonable. He nodded. “I can do that.”

Pia said, “If you’re sure that this is what’s best for you, we’ll help you any way we can. And we’ll be here waiting when you’re ready to come home.”

Relief had him leaning sideways so that his head and shoulders fell into her lap. He muttered telepathically in her head, I hate arguing with you.

Well, technically, you argued with your dad, she told him, while she ran her fingers through his hair. But I get your point. And I hated it too. Are we all better now?

Comfort stole through him at her gentle touch, and he nodded again.

I’m proud of you, she told him.

Twisting onto his back, he looked up into her face. You are?

You thought things through, you used your best judgment and took independent action as the situation needed, and you didn’t take no for an answer. She smiled down at him. And who knows what the future will bring. After going to school, you might decide that you don’t want to try for the sentinel position after all. But if you still want to—you know, all of those things that you just did are good qualities for a sentinel to have.