Jewelry

Inside the box, nestled in velvet, were three pieces of jewelry. Two necklaces, and a ring, all fairly simple. Jake lifted out the ring, and set it spinning on the table between them.

"There's an art. A lost art - I'm a hundred, and it was lost before I was born - " Connor incredulously interrupted there.

"A hundred?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention that. We're pretty long lived. Perhaps that's why you're in kid's sizes at eighteen, but Cambions are always unreliable. Yes, I saw the Great War, now never ask me about it. Anyway, the lost art of enchanting. Pretty much like it sounds - you put magic into things. Or make things that help you channel magic. We're still not sure which. I got these for you to help you control your abilities now they're coming. This ring helps you read people. Like all magic, I mean, powers, it works best with physical contact. Proximity helps - you can't do anything over the phone, eye contact is necessary most of the time, touch is best. Well, sex is best, but that's hardly helpful at first encounter."

Next, Jake removed the first necklace, a pendant with a shiny silver disc with a spiraling pattern worked into it.

"This is for you. It'll help you manipulate people. Unfortunately, they have to be looking at it. Rather flamboyant. And the other piece. Ah yes." Jake paused and looked a little nervous for the first time.

"Son, this is a collar." He lifted the necklace. Collar? though Connor. It did look a little like a collar - a simple silver loop, neck sized, with a band of black lacquer around the outside. "It'll help you control people. Including altering their bodies as well as their minds. And please, be cautious about that. We've got powers. I'm not one for God and good and evil and magical apple giving snakes. But don't destroy people's lives. It draws too much attention, and it's not good for you. Now, I've got a taxi back to the airport waiting for me." With that, Jake extracted his wallet and put down some bills by his place.

Connor was still trying to absorb the rest when he realized that his father was leaving.

"Wait? You don't show up for five years, now after one breakfast you're going?"

Jake said nothing, but gave a small wave as he left.