When your nickname is “Pi” you have a day all to yourself. Except in this case, the person in question is not at all happy with the name.
There’s a long story behind the reason Pietas hates being called “Pi.” I won’t spoil the surprise by telling you here. Once you find out, you’ll see the fact that he allows Six to refer to him as Pi tells a great deal about their relationship.
In this scene, Pietas and Six have been found by a rescue party sent to bring them back to camp and the human has just been introduced.
Happy Pi Day!
Pietas’s sister marched right up to Six, looked him over head to toe. “He’s human!” The sneer in her voice matched her expression.
“Yes.” Pietas put himself between her and Six. “He is.”
“Do you know this creature?”
“He–”
“What’s he doing here? Is he your prisoner? Are there more of them? Does he have a way to reach the ship? Can he contact them?”
“Dessy!” Pietas held up both hands. “One thing at a time. Six was marooned with me. He is alone. He doesn’t have a way back, or any way to contact the vessel. And far from being my prisoner, he’s my friend.”
“He’s your– Your–” Dessy shook her head. “You’re friends…with a human? Oh, Pietas!” She touched his face. “What did they do to you? I knew you didn’t look well. What did they do to my brother?”
“Stop it, Dess. I’m fine! There’s a story to tell, but first, I want to introduce everyone.” He took her hand in his. “Six, this is my sister, Councilwoman Dessy ap Lorectic. She’s my second-in-command, and though we don’t look alike, my twin.” Pietas stroked Dessy’s dark hair and smiled at her, and then moved to the blonde beside her. “This is Councilwoman Joss Avaton.”
She gave a regal nod toward Six.
He stood between the hulking male twins. “This is Councilman Armand Mgraute and Councilman Philippe Mgraute, both of whom you’ve–” he coughed “–met.” Pietas went to Six’s side. “Everyone, this is Six.”
Six lifted a hand in greeting.
None of the Ultras moved.
[bctt tweet=”Happy #PiDay We’re celebrating the relationship of Six and Pi in Bringer of Chaos #SciFi #MFRWhooks” username=”kayelleallen”]“Yes, he’s human.” Pietas gestured to the others. “That doesn’t mean you can’t say hello.”
“Six.” Dessy gave the ghost a polite but indifferent smile. “Is that a nickname?”
“No, ma’am.” He bowed to Dessy. “It’s what Pi calls me.”
“Who?”
“Pi, like the number. Your brother.”
Dessy swung her head toward Pietas, mouth open. “You let him call you Pi?”
“It’s not so much ‘let him’ as it is ‘can’t stop him.’ He’s–” Pietas cleared his throat “–stubborn. You’ll see when you get to know him.”
Armand, Philippe, and Joss all looked at Six with new respect.
JOIN US FOR BOOKHOOKS
Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. It’s a chance each week for you the reader to discover current WIP or previously published book by possibly new-to-you authors.
se 4
