“Did something happen, kotenok?” Saskia asked, rubbing the spot between his shoulder blades.

He lifted his head, casting an unsure glance in her direction. Telling her about the demon was inviting a motherly storm, but the information making its way to his dad was what he really feared. Still... he didn't like having Pari's lie hanging between them, leading her to think he was concussed or something. "The blood on the stairs isn't mine. There was a demon that made its way inside, but it was fine... we took care of it."

“What?!” Saskia gasped, clasping his face in her hands. “Oh my god! Are you okay? Shit, a demon?”

He nodded, not meeting her gaze. "Yeah, yeah, I'm okay. We're just a little shaken, obviously." He glanced towards the kitchen, "Didn't sleep much last night."

At that moment, Pari stepped out of the kitchen with a tray of steaming mugs. She was on her way over when Saskia screeched, “Pari! A demon?! Are you alright?”
Pari fixed Feo with a Look and said shortly, “I’m good. Nothing happened.”
“Oh my god. You need to go home and see your parents, Parisa. They’re already worried sick about you and don’t think for a moment I won’t tell them what happened!”
The Look Pari fixed Feo with grew frostier.

Feofil practically facepalmed. "Mom, we're not trying to make a big deal out of it. Why scare everyone when nothing happened?"

“They need to know,” she said. “A parent worries.”
Somehow, Pari managed to bite her tongue. “We handled it.”
“Even then,” Saskia replied firmly. “I’ll open a door right now and you can swing by the palace.”
“I’m not supposed to.”
“Kyros will want to know too.”
“Kyros doesn’t want to know anything. Why do you think he sent me here?”

"Mom," he tried to get Saskia's attention. "Please. Don't make me regret telling you."

“I know you think you’re totally independent but you need support,” Saskia told him. “Both of you. Please, Parisa, just stop there for an hour, maybe two. You’ve been gone for months. I know you think your cousin hates you but you barely see him. I see him every day. You won’t believe how much he misses you.”

Feo hesitated, looking to Parisa. "If he's asking to see you... it might be worth entertaining."