The Red Ghoul {The Red Good Series: Book Zero}

ARC II: PART V

The cozy café in Rome smelled amazing—freshly baked pastries and rich coffee filled the air. When Talia al Ghul walked in, the bell above the door chimed, and her presence seemed to make the place feel a bit more serious. She scanned the room with a look that made everyone pay attention, then headed over to where Jason was waiting at a corner table. He looked up from his tiramisu, a big smile spreading across his face when he saw her.

"Hey, Umi," Jason said, standing up to give her a hug. Talia smiled and took her seat across from him, her eyes softening just a bit.

The café had a warm vibe, with soft light coming through the lace curtains and delicate pastries on display. The owners, who were old allies of the League of Shadows, kept a discreet eye on the mother-son reunion.

Jason dug into his tarte tatin, savoring the sweet flavor. "How's everything with the League?" he asked, genuinely interested.

Talia set down her pistachio cannoli and twirled her rings. "Oh, you know, as efficient as always. Arianne's been holding things down while you're away. She's doing great."

Arianne, the granddaughter of the café's owners and Jason's reliable ally, had been handling things well. Talia's eyes showed a rare touch of pride.

With a playful glint in her eye, Talia took a sip of her coffee and leaned in. "So, sending Rose Wilson my way, huh? That's pretty bold of you." She smirked, clearly enjoying the moment.

Jason's cheeks reddened a little. He swirled his tea, trying to find the right words. "Well, Rose has her... advantages," he said, stumbling a bit. "She's got skills and some unfinished business. She could be a good fit for the League. Besides, she needs us right now. With her father's enemies on her tail, it's safer for her here."

Talia raised an eyebrow, clearly not entirely convinced. "Advantages, huh?"

Jason cleared his throat. "Okay, she might bring some... complications. But she's strong, and she knows she needs us. Plus, she'll be safer with the League's protection."

Talia leaned back, thinking it over. After a moment, she nodded. "Fair enough. Nyssa's taken her under her wing and will be overseeing Nika's training."

Jason relaxed a bit, relieved that his mom was on board. "Good to hear."

The warmth between them was clear in their easy conversation and shared glances. Talia's eyes sparkled with pride as she spoke.

"Congrats on the awards, abni," she said, her voice full of admiration. "I'm not surprised, but I'm still thrilled for you."

Jason's face lit up. "Thanks, T. The tours have been... a lot, but Ethereal Echoes of Bly Manor is really taking off. It's amazing to see how excited the readers are. And it's good practice for the Netflix series. I've got a solid fanbase eager for the story to hit the screen."

Talia nodded, genuinely interested. "That's great to hear. And how are Damian and Billy doing at the Nanda Parbat School for Magic?"

Jason smiled, thinking of his younger brothers. "They're doing awesome. Really thriving with their magic studies."

"It's nice to hear they're doing well," Talia said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "The school's a great place for them. And it's reassuring to know they're in good hands at Wayne Manor while you're away."

Jason nodded, a mix of pride and longing in his expression. "Yeah, the Batfamily's been a huge support. It's comforting to know they're well looked after."

Talia's gaze softened with maternal concern. "And Damian? How's he handling... his father's passing?"

Jason paused, setting his cup down gently. "It's been tough on him. Losing Bruce was huge. But being around the Batfamily in Gotham has helped a lot. He's finding his way, and the Batfamily understands loss in a way that's really supportive."