I wipe my mouth and stand up. I gargle some clean water from the faucet and look at my reflection in the mirror. Physically I look the same. Maybe even a bit better. My bony hips seem smoother and rounder, and my face fuller. Even my eyes, which I know have a tendency to look hard and cold, are softer… kinder.
What will I tell Kieron? How will he handle the news? Even though it wasn’t me who cheated, he’s always said he loves us as one. To him, Lucky and I are just different sides of the same coin. He loves the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’, metaphorically—and literally—speaking. So how will he feel about her being unfaithful to him? And not just with anyone, but with Bones? The one who had been the closest to her her whole life until Kieron showed up?
Even though Bones is dead now, betrayal is not something most people can easily forgive… even someone as strong and loving and understanding as Kieron.
Just as I finish pulling a clean shirt over my head, a light tapping on the bedroom door interrupts my thoughts. “Yeah,” I call, assuming it’s Corrine reporting back with the food update.
But it’s Kieron. He pokes his head in. “You decent?”
“Just a sec…” I shimmy on some jeans and quickly button them. “Come in.”
He walks through the doorway and flashes me a smile. “Mornin’.” He holds out a plate with some buttered toast. “There’s not much here in the way of food, but I was hoping this’ll tide you over until we can stock up.”
I take the plate and set it down on the dresser. “Thank you. That was very sweet.” I place my arms around his shoulders, tilt my head back and wait for his kiss. When it comes, it’s brief. Almost perfunctory.
I open my eyes to see him looking down at me. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his hand making small circles on my back.
“Okay… I’m okay.” I frown, confused. “Had a bit of a scare earlier. Did Lucky tell you about the Tatiana thing?”
He shakes his head and gracefully moves from my embrace. “No, she didn’t mention it. What happened?”
It must be my imagination, but does his voice sound slightly detached? Almost as if he’s asking because it’s expected of him and it’s part of the conversation, not because he really cares. The difference is infinitesimal, and I’m sure no one else would notice. But to me, it’s obvious. Especially when he asks me from several feet away and not while in my arms.
“She didn’t say anything at all?” I ask, keeping my voice light. “That’s odd. I wonder why not.”
He clears his throat and leans against the door. “Actually we didn’t really talk at all last night. As soon as we got here, I got settled in my room and she came in here. I didn’t see her for the rest of the evening.”
“So you guys had a fight or something?” Maybe that explains his strange behavior.
He shrugs. “Not that I know of.”
Frowning, I pick up a piece of toast and nibble it. I have to admit it does help my stomach a bit. “Hmmm. Well, when I was talking to Anastasia yesterday, she told me that Tatiana had been killed by Light-angels, and it was all my fault. She was so convincing, and I believed her. I wanted to die!”
I shudder. Even the memory is enough to make my throat close in.
“What?” Kieron appears genuinely shocked.
I cough and take a deep breath. “But then when I woke up,” I continue, “Corrine comes in and tells me that Lucky told her it was just a joke, a trick. A test of some sort. I’m pretty freaked out by that. I mean, what sort of person does that? And to be honest, she was less than welcoming when I met her. I don’t think she even wants us here, so I’m sorta wondering why we’re still around.”
Kieron takes a seat on a chaise in the corner and rests his ankle on his knee. He speaks slowly, thoughtfully. “Well, like I said, I didn’t talk with Lucky last night so I’m in the dark as to what happened with her. I do know that I feel much weaker here, and I can only suspect that the witch has some sort of protective enchantment on her property. She’d be a fool not to. And as far as her so-called ‘test’, well, one way to test a person’s humanity is to see how strongly they love. Perhaps she was trying to test Lucky’s and your humanity before allowing us to stay here.”
I take another nibble of the bread. Happily my stomach has remained calm so far. Just what I don’t need right now—an obvious case of morning sickness in front of Kieron. “So, I guess we passed her sadistic test. I mean, we’re still here.”
He shrugs and looks out the window. “Something tells me we’d be long gone by now if we weren’t welcome. I say we have a chat with Mrs. Havish and figure out what’s what before we get too comfortable. Who knows what she really has planned for us.”
Chapter 6. Liora
A short while later, Kieron and I are ready to venture on over to the main house to talk to Anastasia. Corrine wants to go down to the beach, so we agree to meet back at the cottage in an hour to plan the rest of our day.
Hand in hand, Kieron and I slowly make our way from the guest house toward the looming mansion. Despite my deep apprehension, I can’t help but admire the almost surreal artistry surrounding us. Every place I look seems more beautiful than the last— from the carefully shaped bushes, to the vibrant flower gardens, to the emerald blanket of mossy lawn stretching as far as the eye can see. The flawless perfection almost makes me nervous… everything has a flaw somewhere. But as far as I can tell, this place is as close to paradise on Earth as one could hope for. Even the late spring weather is perfect. Under different circumstances, I could really enjoy being here.
But not now. Right now, more than anything, I wish I was back home with Tatiana in our tiny cabin in the woods. Not in this magical seaside splendor with her evil sister.
“You okay?” Kieron gives my hand a gentle squeeze.
I nod. “Yeah, just nervous, I guess. What if she can’t help us?”
He shrugs and squints the morning sun from his eyes. “Well, she must have given us some sanctuary since we’re still here. We’ll figure out what to do about the Light-angels—”
“I meant me and Lucky. What if she can’t fix us?”
“Then we’ll figure out how to live with that, too,” he says, his voice quiet.
I gaze out at the ocean and sigh. It’s strange. For so long after the split, all I wanted was to go back to how things were before, when I was just a normal demion. But then I started getting accustomed to my new life, even if I had no powers and my days are cut unnaturally short. I sorta got used to the idea that things would stay this way forever.
And when I think of the alternative, maybe this really is for the best. I can live my life my way, she can live hers her way. Because despite my craziness, it’s nothing compared to what Lucky goes through every evening. But I know she hates how things are. And the worst part is, we don’t really know what would happen if we were reunified. Would one of us die? Would it be her? Would it be me? Would we share memories? Lose them all together? So many frightening unknowns. What’s that saying? ‘Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.’ Now at least I know my devil.
Of course I’ve thought about all this before, but the chance of us ever being made whole was always so remote, I never really took it seriously. Even when Lucky had the Amazèa in her sights—the monsters who cursed us in the first place—I knew it was more likely that we’d be killed than cured, and there were times it might almost have been a welcome relief.
But that was before.
Before Kieron and his love that gave me a reason to live. And that was before the new life began inside me. The life that fills me with an almost insane, consuming love that grows stronger each and every day.
Now more than anything I want to live. To be me. Liora. The way I am supposed to be.
Only thing is, I’m not sure that includes Her.
********
We’re approaching a row of rose bushes when suddenly Kieron jerks his hand free from mine and jumps back. “What the hell?!” he shouts and rubs his arm. “Think that’s as far
as I’m going,” he adds with a grimace.
I hurry back to him. “Are you okay? What happened?”
“I’ll live.” He glances at me, still holding his arm. “You obviously didn’t feel anything?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. What—”
“Consider it a friendly reminder as to your boundaries,” a cool voice says.
Kieron and I both turn around to see Anastasia emerging from behind some tall rose bushes. Again I’m struck by her freakish similarity to Tatiana, and at the same time, the extreme difference between the two. A perfect metaphor for this place. Anastasia is shiny and beautiful and polished and sparkly… but I’d much rather have my simple, blind, grey-haired Tattie.
“I made it perfectly clear no demons were to come within fifty feet of the main house. Consider that a friendly warning. Next time I won’t be so nice.” She casually takes a pair of shears and snips the stem of a perfect white rose and places it in a basket.
“Well, obviously we didn’t exactly get that memo,” I snap. What is it with this woman? First she tortures me, then she sets up some supernatural fence to hurt Kieron. What’s next?
She walks over to us, her long white sundress floating behind her in the soft breeze, and fixes her brilliant eyes on me. I shudder. She gives me a faint smile before shifting her gaze to Kieron.
“It’s nothing personal, you see,” she continues in a soft voice, glancing back and forth between the two of us. “It is strictly for my protection and peace of mind. I have granted you sanctuary and protection on my lands, but you must stay within your boundaries. I do believe you wish me no harm, but you are a demion, and therefore cannot be trusted.”
“Kieron’s good! You can trust—”
She holds up her hand, silencing my outburst. “Child, do not talk to me about the ‘goodness’ of a demon. You must think me mad!”
I shake my head. “He’s a demion. Big difference. He has human in him… and he holds his humanity as dear as I hold mine. He’s no worse than I am.”
She narrows her sparkly eyes and slowly gazes up and down his body several times. The corner of her mouth turns up in a smirk. “That’s not entirely true. There is a stench of evilness and death on him that isn’t present on you. Nevertheless, I knew what I was getting into allowing demions on my lands. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. But you will keep your distance.”
“Ma’am, we are grateful for your hospitality, and I’m happy to follow any rules or instructions while staying here that will make you more comfortable. I didn’t know I wasn’t welcome—”
“Well, now you know. I was quite explicit with Lucky last night. Is there a communication problem here?”
I roll my eyes to the side. “You could sorta say that,” I mutter. I take a deep breath. “Look, we’re sorry. We weren’t intentionally trying to do something you don’t want us to do. Lucky can be… well… she’s a moody pain in the ass sometimes, and sometimes messages don’t get through. The only thing she managed to pass on is that Tatiana is really alive and well. Thanks for that, by the way,” I add with a glare.
She shrugs, unmoved. “Had to be done. But you passed the test. Much better than I expected, I might add. But don’t take that to mean you have free reign here.” She turns to Kieron. “You may not come any closer than this row of plants here, all the way over to the tree line over there. You are not welcome in or around my house. You have full use of the guesthouse, but you must only use the private beach access for your comings and goings. If you are spotted or raise any suspicions, my protection of you will be immediately lifted and you will be expelled in the most painful way. The entire property will become off limits to you.”
Kieron nods earnestly and brushes his hair from his eyes. “Yes, ma’am, I understand. And I do thank you for taking us in and for allowing us to stay in your guesthouse. But what about Liora?”
“What about her?”
“Are you going to hurt her if she makes any sort of mistake or steps in the wrong place?”
Anastasia purses her lips. “Not while she is human. She’s fine.”
I glance at Kieron, and he shuffles his feet. “How do I know that for sure?” he presses. “You haven’t exactly rolled out the red carpet for us.”
She gives a dainty chuckle and raises an eyebrow. “Because, demon, if I didn’t want her here, she wouldn’t be here. If I’d wanted to hurt her, I would’ve done so already. I promised my sister I’d help her if I deemed her worthy. So I’ll keep my word. However, you were nowhere in that deal.”
Kieron looks at me for a moment, and then turns back to her. “Fair enough. If I may be so bold as to ask for one other favor. We need supplies— food, some toiletries and other essentials. We’d like to make a trip into town today to stock up so as not to put anyone out. We will be very discreet.”
Anastasia gives a curt nod. “I’ll make arrangements with my driver to take you. I do not want any record of you coming or going from my estate.”
“Thank you.” Kieron turns to me. “Will you be okay?”
I nod. I really wish he could stay with me, but we’re at Anastasia’s mercy and must obey her wishes. And obviously she doesn’t want him around.
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him.
His gaze briefly locks with mine before he leans in to give me a quick, soft kiss. “I’ll go down and join Corrine on the beach. Meet you back at the cottage later.”
I give his hand a squeeze.
He glances back at Anastasia and nods politely. “Ma’am.”
She ignores him and returns to her pruning.
********
“You’re nothing like her, you know. I mean you sorta look the same, in this really weird opposite way… but you’re nothing like her.”
I’m sitting on a marble bench watching as Anastasia floats around her rose bushes, carefully scrutinizing each and every petal before trimming the fullest blooms and placing the long stems into a shallow, rattan basket. She moves to a bush with roses of the deepest red—crimson on the outer petals, but with a bright, golden white center. They are the strangest, most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen in my life.
Anastasia snips off a fat blossom and holds it out for my inspection. “Do you like it?” she asks. Even from a few feet away I catch a whiff of the rose’s sweet aroma.
“It’s very pretty.”
“It’s my own special hybrid. I call it ‘Shadows and Light’.”
“It’s lovely,” I murmur, not caring one whit about her stupid plants. “Can we talk? I mean, there’s a lot that we need to sort out, right?”
“What would you like to talk about?” She returns her attention to the bush and snips off another ripe bloom and sets it in her basket.
I sigh. “Well, lots of things I guess. Not all of it involves me, but I guess it sorta does. But since you won’t talk with Lucky—”
“I never said I won’t talk with her, just that she’s not welcome in or near my personal domicile. I expect to talk with her whenever necessary and no more.”
I turn my head away so she won’t see me roll my eyes again. “Okay, whatever. It’s just, well, there’s a lot going on. Like heavy duty actual heaven and hell drama. I’m not sure what you already know.”
She pauses from her clipping and gives me warm smile that takes me completely by surprise. “I know a few details. But I’m sure there is much to be learned from hearing your side of the story. Why don’t you explain to me your predicament? I’m all ears.”
I take a deep breath. Where to even start?
“Okay, well, first things first. Light-angels are after me. They want to use me to get them into Thiberoux, land of the demons. Because I can handle the magical crystals without turning to ash, I can open the portal. And because I’m a human and not a demon, they can use their powers to manipulate me to do what they want. Fortunately Lucky, Kieron, and Tattie were able to get rid of them before. But I…we…we’re no longer safe there. The Light-angels know too much about me, where I live and st
uff. It was too dangerous to stay.
Anastasia tilts her head to the side and gives me a funny glance. “Curious…”
“What is?”
“That these magical stones you speak of…that you can handle them like a demon, even though you are human. That must mean they still read your demoness.”
I shrug. “Yeah, seems like it.”
“Yet you seem to be entirely immune to my magic that renders demons powerless.”
I shrug again. “I’m sure it’s just a different type of magic. Maybe because the stones are my birthright. I’d handled them my whole life, even before I became human. I just didn’t have a reason to afterwards since Lucky is the only one who goes into Thiberoux.”
She nods. “I see. Go on.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay, well, the Light-angels are after me, but they’re probably pretty pissed at Lucky too, because she killed a few of their leaders. But then to make things worse, she pissed off a whole bunch of demons, including some pretty powerful ones, and got herself expelled from Thiberoux. That’s her demon home, and she needs to go there for Source Energy and to be with others of her kind. Although now that Bones is gone…”
My voice drifts off as I suddenly feel his essence flow through me like a gentle stream, meandering its way through my chest and down my arms and legs until it settles in my middle like a warm, comfortable cloud. Unconsciously I wrap my arms around my waist and hug myself, as if returning some invisible, imaginary embrace from beyond the grave.
Anastasia’s eyes narrow. “I take it this Bones is the father of that?” She looks directly at my midsection.