Zeke awkwardly punches my shoulder. “The next Scala, eh? Sorta explains why you never fell for any other guys at school.”

Cissy breaks our hug, spins about, and elbows him in the ribs. “Be nice, Zeke. This isn’t about conquests with your buddies. We’re saying goodbye to Myla today.”

“Oh, yeah.” Zeke stares at his sneakers. “It’s a bummer how you have to run off and everything.”

“Thanks.” Cissy, I’ll miss. Zeke, maybe not so much.

Walker steps forward, his long robes swaying with the movement. He swings his arm wide, gesturing toward Tim. Compared to how Walker towers in his dark robes, Tim looks like a twelve-year-old in a black sheet. “Myla, I’d like you to meet TIM-29.”

“Hello, Tim.” It’s weird being introduced to someone you’ve dreamscaped about for months. Especially when the someone in question is kind-of a douchebag. Too bad we couldn’t think of anyone else.

“Pleasure to meet you.” His large black eyes stare into mine. “I can’t believe it. You really do have angel-blue irises.”

“Yeah.” I quickly shake his chilly hand. “I suppose I should get used to being the new freak show in town.”

He taps his chin with his gray pointer finger. “Perhaps you could show us something. Do a trick or two with igni.”

“Tim!” Mom sets her fists at her waist. “It’s a risk for Myla to create igni here.”

“Ah, of course.” Tim chuckles, but there’s no happiness in it. “It’s so hard to believe, you having a child with Xavier. I mean, he’s never fathered offspring in the history of time.” His mouth snakes into a cunning smile. “I thought perhaps the girl’s parent was Furor.” He reaches toward my face. “There are spells you can cast to change eye color.”

His hand moves closer to my eyes, but I’m too stunned to break his fingers. He thinks Mom’s making this up? Like being the Scala Heir is such a hoot. What a doofus.

Mom bounds across the room, placing her body between me and Tim. “The subject is closed.”

“Excuse my enthusiasm.” Tim bows. “I’m overwhelmed to be back in the presence of Senator Lewis, as well as to meet her lovely daughter.”

Wow. So he’s a total suck-up and a douchebag. Yay. Lincoln shoots me a questioning look. I shrug. ‘It is what it is’ at this point.

Mom tries to smile. “Thank you for helping us today, Tim.”

I nod my head, impressed. They’re both acting pretty adult here, considering the history. Mom told me that when Tim discovered she’d hooked up with Xavier, they had a falling out. I’m guessing it was one of those ‘You love me? Then it sucks to be you’ conversations. Now he’s coming back to portal Xavier’s kid around. Awkward!