Alien in the Family

pretty much devoid of personnel. Your demigoddess is declawed and defanged. You aren’t going to get to join up and live forever, sorry not so much.”
    “You are a failure as a future queen,” he snarled at me. “Even if he stays, you will not stay with him.”
    “I know.” I did. My throat was tight and I wanted to cry about it, but I’d realized where we were heading as soon as I saw the outline of the real plan.
    Adolphus looked at me. His expression was familiar; I’d seen it a lot for the last year or so—enraged insanity focused solely on me. I was the girl all the psychos and megalomaniacs wanted to hang with, after all.
    “You. This is all your fault.”
    “Pretty much, yeah. That’s how I roll, Trouble Chick to the Rescue, sort of thing. Destroy the decades’ worth of planning in a couple of days. Yep, sounds familiar.”
    “I will destroy you.”
    “Already tried. Already failed. You saying you’re ready to go head-to-head with me now?”
    His answer was to lunge for me. I didn’t have to answer back. The Poofs did it for me.
    Adolphus was devoured. There weren’t even any bones left. The Poofs finished up, burped discreetly, then went back to small. They trotted over to me and purred.
    I had no choice.

CHAPTER 55

    I BENT DOWN AND GAVE THE POOFS lots of pets and lovies. “Good Poofies!” I mean, I wasn’t going to argue with the save. And they were so proud of themselves. The purring was almost deafening.
    I stood up to see a man and woman near me. Tenley mewled and jumped onto the woman’s shoulder. She was about Alfred’s age, maybe a bit younger. I didn’t have to ask if she was Alexander’s mother. He looked just like her.
    The man was older than she was, but not as old as Alexander had insinuated. That this was Leonidas wasn’t a question in my mind—he wasn’t a big man, but he radiated intelligence, authority, and confidence. He looked around and raised his arms. “The Poofs have spoken!” His voice carried just like Adolphus’ had. I assumed that the troubadour talent went naturally with a political bent.
    “Excuse me? The Poofs chowed down, but they didn’t speak.”
    He nodded solemnly. “When a ruler is deemed unfit by the Poofs, it’s proof that a new ruler must be found.”
    I processed this. “You mean the Poofs’ role in the succession process is more than just making more Poofs?”
    “Yes.”
    “What about the king’s Poof?”
    “Sadly, Heinrich passed on to its greater reward many decades ago.”
    I let the myriad comments I could have made slide. Give me credit for the diplomatic effort. “So you’re okay that they turned Adolphus into Poof Chow?”
    He cleared his throat. “I would phrase it more that we are aware of the vital role the royal Poofs play in the control and progression of the monarchy, and while we are saddened that our last king has met his end, we rejoice that we will shortly crown a new king.”
    “Wow, you’re really good with the doublespeak.”
    I got a nod that was more like a bow. “You flatter me. I am Chief Councillor Leonidas.”
    “I guessed.”
    Leonidas’ lips quirked, but he kept the solemn going. “May I present Princess Victoria?”
    She did the little head bow. “And you are?”
    “I’m Kitty. Sorry about Gregory.” Sort of not really, but it’s what you’re supposed to say to someone when you’ve killed her son. “Not so sorry about King Megalomaniac, though, I have to admit.”
    “He should have known better.” I assumed she meant the king. “Who killed Gregory?”
    Tito was next to me, Gregory’s body in his arms. “I did.” He laid the body down and stepped back. “And I’d do it again. He was trying to destroy our world and your world, too.” ACE was projecting everyone’s voices, as near as I could tell.
    Victoria nodded solemnly to Tito. “Your guard is forgiven.”
    “My guard?”
    “She means me,” Tito said. “Thank you, Your Highness.” It dawned on me that Tito was staying up here in case someone else tried anything. Gower was right, I did hire well.
    “Love the Poofs, I must say.”
    “They are very loyal.” Victoria closed her eyes. “Alexander?”
    “I’m here, Mother,” he called to her. He was still in the Plaza, and Chuckie was holding him up. “I fought against Gregory, against our king. And I have aligned with these people now. And for what they stand for and believe in.”
    Victoria looked straight at me. “I saw what you showed us. We do have laws,”