Demonfire (ON HOLD)

Chapter 3: Lian Harper

Mar'i's POV

I woke up a few hours after, with my arm properly bandaged---by Alfred, probably. I'm not going to blame Damian for losing control---anger management is hard when you have...issues. He needs to spend some time on Tamaran so he can learn to control his emotions, but no human can survive the harsh sun there.

I tested my arm. It still hurt, but much less now. We Tamaraneans have a healing factor that speeds up our healing too. Thank X'hal we do, or the wound might take weeks to heal.

I turned over in my bed, gazing at the sun. The sun on Earth is always so beautiful... the sun on Tamaran is much more brighter and harder to look at, and holding back your powers there is way harder because you'll probably be supercharged. Trust me, I've spent twelve years of my life there.

I yawned at looked at the clock.

Oh X'hal, it's eleven already? Why didn't anyone wake me up? I'd promised to call Lian at eight!

Quickly as I could, I jumped over to the computer and turned it on. Oh, X'hal, I had twelve missed FaceTimes from her!

I called her back, and her face appeared on the screen.

"Mar'i! I miss you so much!" she exclaimed.

"Lian! Me too!" I said, grinning.

She leaned in close to the camera. "Sooo, how's it going? What's it like in Wayne Manor? Is Jason, Tim and Damian as cute as they are in the magazines? Is Stephanie and Cassandra good to you?"

I laughed. "Hey slow down, Lian! Oh X'hal, it's been great in Wayne Manor! It's really, really big, and I have an awesome room. Auntie Steph and Cass are fantastic, but they're normally busy keeping Uncle Jason, Tim and Damian---and Dad, of course---under control. As for the cute part..." I let out a huge breath, trying to hold in my excitement. "Why don't you come over and see for yourself?"

My best friend's eyes widened, and she gave such a high-pitched squeal it could equal Black Canary's.

"Mar'i, are you seriously saying that..."

"Yeah, you're invited to Wayne Manor! Dad said you could come over this weekend. You free?"

She grinned. "Of course, girl! Ooh, I gotta start packing...well, see ya this weekend!"

The laptop's screen went black.

Suddenly, Damian came in. "What are you doing?"

I beamed at him, too happy now to care what he thought. "Lian's invited to stay this weekend!"

He frowned. "The Arrow-spawn?"

"Oh, stop calling everyone something-spawn! And yes, that's the one! She's been my best friend since forever!"

Damian rolled his eyes. "As if I care, Grayson girl."

With that, he closed the door and went.

What is up with that guy?

>>>>>>>>>>

Damian's POV

Father was hosting a ball in Wayne Manor this weekend. The arrival of Mar'i's friend may be disruptive towards the preparations, especially since Mar'i does not know about it. Unfortunately, Father told me not to tell her because her mother, Starfire, would be there, and he wanted Mar'i to be surprised. Tt! Lian Harper would cause a lot of trouble. Unless, of course, she was notified of it and helped keep Mar'i out of the way...

I strode into my chambers and turned on my computer. Most people would think I had gotten the contact to Red Arrow's daughter from Mar'i, but that is not true. I have simply hacked into every superheroes' computer and learnt everything about them. Tt! Their computer security is appalling.

I started typing an email to Lian Harper.

(The following is a text conversation between Lian Harper and Damian Wayne.)

Damian: Lian Harper, I am Damian Wayne. I would like to request a favour of you.

Lian: Ooh, are you the supercute son of Bruce Wayne? Wait...how did you get my number?

Damian: That is irrelevant. As you should know, your acquaintance Mar'i Grayson is living at Wayne Manor because her father is my father's adopted son. There will be a ball at the Manor this weekend, and I would like you to keep Mar'i from seeing the preparations as her mother will be there, and you are in an excellent position for distraction.

Lian: Okay, but how do I know you're not lying?

Damian: I am not.

Lian: That's not very convincing, but I'm fine with distracting Mar'i...with shopping and eating and sleepover-ing!

Damian: Thank you for your assistance.

(The text conversation has ended.)

Damian turned off the computer and sighed. He might not ever see his mother again.