The Ruby Circle

They were beautiful in their deadliness

“Rose Hathaway, notorious rebel, showing her maternal side.”

. “Oh, this I’ve got to see, comrade. Dimitri Belikov, badass god, installing a baby’s car seat.”

“I don’t even know her, and I hate her already,” remarked Rose.
I glanced at the time. “Let’s hope we can find her so you can tell her in person. It’s time to go.”

“My wife, ladies and gentlemen. Beauty, brains, and now brawn.”

“They really are amazing, aren’t they?” he mused, admiring Declan as he slept in my arms. “Someone so small . . . who will have such enormous potential. Good, evil. Great acts, small acts. What will it be? What will he become?”

That left Dimitri and me to babysit, which seemed like the setup for some sort of wacky sitcom.

“Well, welcome to the family then, Sydney. At least this way I’m not the most scandalous anymore.”

“But who am I to judge? We’re all fighting our own battles, the best way we can.”

“He’s an animal,” growled Dimitri. “He has no business being here.”
“Well, I suppose it—” I stopped and reconsidered Dimitri’s words. “Do you know him or something?”
Dimitri eyed me. “Yes. Do you?”
“Yeah,” I said. “He’s my uncle. Rand Ivashkov.”
“Oh?” Dimitri’s hardened expression didn’t change. “He’s my father.”