by T K Eldridge
“I can’t do it until later next week, but I will. Thanks Auntie,” I said and kissed her cheek, then left with my jars. I headed home and put the jars away, hiding the birth control one in my locked wooden chest on my dresser. After I took a dose. The floor cleaner went into the kitchen.
I didn’t have anything scheduled for today, but I couldn’t stay home. I felt restless and unsettled. Into my bedroom I went and stripped the bedding to toss in the wash. Clothes changed into running shorts and a sports bra, my phone and keys tucked into the inside pockets of my shorts. I poked my head through the connecting door between my place and Grams and called out to her. “I’m going for a run, Grams. Taking the forest trail to the stream.”
“Okay, Siddie. Be safe,” she called back.
I heard Grampa Walsh’s low, rumbling laugh and shut the door before I left out my front one. I had a lot of stuff churning around in my head and I needed to clear it before I could tackle any of the problems that were looming on the horizon. I stretched, then ran around the side of the house and through the fields to hit the forest trail. Once under the trees, I kept running – and shifted into my black leopard. I only stuttered a little and felt some serious pride in my ability to shift while running. I used to have to stop and focus, then shift. My work with Grampa Walsh was starting to really pay off.
My paws padded on the soft mulch of the trail until the scent of blood caught my attention. I veered off the trail and slowed as the scent grew stronger. I stopped when I saw where the scent came from. One of Gram’s barn cats had been nailed to a tree and gutted. It had been there for a day or so, from the looks of things. Nose to the ground, I did my best to gather up any intel I could on who might’ve done this. The only scents I could pick up were of fresh-cut wood and leather. Whoever was responsible, knew how to hide their tracks well. I made note of where it was and headed back to Gram’s. I needed Grampa on this one.
Chapter Ten
Sin
The week away for our honeymoon was wonderful, but Mira and I both missed Ethan and so we headed home a couple of days early. It felt good to be back home, and we got in on Friday, slept in on Saturday, then headed over to Mom and Dad’s to get Ethan and bring him home.
“How was Ireland?” Dad asked as Mom took Mira off to find Ethan.
“It was good. That castle of Finn’s is gorgeous. We had a fireplace in our bedroom and our own balcony with views that changed with the wind.”
“And Dublin?”
“Well, we didn’t get around to that until a couple of days later. I think between the wedding and the flight, we both just needed some down time. Good food and relaxation, even got a massage at the spa there.”
“But you did get to Trinity College and see the library, right?” Dad asked.
“Yes, and it was as incredible as you said it would be. That whole section of ancient grimoires just hummed with power, and the weapons from the first shifter armies? You could almost hear the battle cries.”
“That’s exactly what your mother and I experienced. Life-changing,” Dad led me into the kitchen where Mom had put out some food and drinks. We filled our plates and took a seat, then Ethan came racing into the room and right towards me, Mira coming up behind him.
“Papa,” Ethan yelled and launched himself into my arms. I caught him in a hug and patted his back.
“Hey, little man, are you about ready to go home?” I asked.
“Yes, but I can come back, right?”
“Of course. As long as you’re good for Grandma and Grampa, you can come back,” I said.
Mira filled a plate for Ethan and set it between her and I. “Come sit and eat your lunch, Ethan, then we’ll head home.”
He climbed up and started eating, telling Mira all of the things he did while he visited the estate.
Dad tapped my hand. “When you’re done eating, let your Mom help Ethan pack up his things and you and Mira join me in the study? I need to catch you up on what’s going on.”
We spent the meal talking about things we’d seen or done in Ireland, compared to what my parents had seen and done while they were there last year. We all helped clean up and then Mom took Ethan upstairs to pack while Mira and I joined Dad in the study.
“Liam Walsh called me yesterday and told me about a few new incidents of vandalism and harassment Benny’s people are dealing with. I’ve offered several of the Academy seniors to go undercover to help try and figure out who’s doing this. Sin? He’d like you to help coordinate the groups and reach out to non-shifters that you can trust to maybe offer some backup support. The more eyes we have on the town, the less chance these vandals have of getting away with things.”
“Why doesn’t he tell me Monday?” I asked.
“Because he wants people to think you’re still off duty when they see you around town. I know you and Mira need to do some shopping for the nursery, so do that on Monday and Tuesday. Take your time. Be lazy about it. See what you can find out by listening or watching.”
I looked at Mira. “I’m not comfortable putting Mira at risk.”
“I can take care of myself, Sinclair,” Mira said. “I am not going to risk this baby, but I am also not some weak, fragile creature. I am Fae and have my own magic.”
“I doubt there is much risk in broad daylight in downtown Belle Cove, but as Mira said, neither of you are defenseless. I wouldn’t risk my grandchildren either,” Dad said.
“What about Sid?” I asked.
“What about her?” Dad replied as his gaze dropped to something on his desk.
“What’s her part in all of this?”
“She’s been working hard on the research end of things. A few threads that needed following and one or two are giving us some interesting information.”
“So she’s not out there, watching and listening?” I asked. He wasn’t telling me something.
“No, she’s not doing street work any more, remember?”
“Yeah, I remember. But if we’re pulling cadets out of the Academy to do it…”
“Sin, leave it alone. Your sister is working her ass off, pulling ten to twelve hour days, trying to get all of the data together.”
“What about Tino? I thought data was his thing.”
“It is, if it’s digitized. Sid is working with analog and digital. Just, leave it, okay?”
Mira put a hand on my arm and I ground my teeth. I’d just have to ask Sid herself. “Okay, fine. We should get going. Got some unpacking and gifts to sort out and such back at the house. Thanks for taking care of Ethan.”
“He’s our grandson. It was our absolute pleasure,” Dad said.
Mira kissed Dad’s cheek as we left the room to find Ethan and Mom by the front door.
“Thanks, Mom,” I said and gave her a hug goodbye.
“Don’t worry,” Mom replied. “We’ll be sharing babysitting duty back and forth before too long.”
Mira chuckled and I just shook my head. It was weird to think I was going to have a brother, and a daughter, in a few months. Hell, sometimes it still caught me by surprise when Ethan called me ‘Papa’.
We got into the SUV, Ethan all buckled in his car seat, and pulled away.
Mira glanced back to see Ethan already dozing in his seat before she spoke. “What is going on with you? You were nearly jumping down your father’s throat about Sid. Her duties are not your concern.”
“So, it’s okay for them to want to put you at risk, but not Sidonie? That’s not fair and you know it.”
“First off, I’m not at risk. Second, I can take care of myself, Sinclair James Boudreau. I’m pregnant, not sick. If anything, my magic is stronger now than it’s ever been. Third, Sid is your sister, not your responsibility. She’s a trained officer, yes, but her real gift has always been in research and information. That’s why she was going into law. She has a talent for finding information others just can’t. One of the best things about having a lot of people with differing talents is – you can put their talents to use in the best
ways possible. I know you’re used to having Sid do what you do, but it’s a good thing that her talents are being used in their best way, and she’s not out on the streets where she had anxiety issues.”
I opened my mouth to argue back and then shut it with a snap. She was right.
“How did you get to be so smart, my lovely wife?”
“You’re not the only one who’s gone to college, Sinclair,” Mira replied.
I reached over and took her hand in mine as we drove the rest of the way home.
* * *
Later that evening, I went over to Sid’s place and knocked on the door. I had gifts for Grandma and Grampa and a few others, but I wanted to give Sid hers first.
“I’m not home,” Sid’s voice called out.
“It’s your, for now, only brother. Let me in.”
A low groan and I heard shuffling, then the click of the locks as Sid opened the door.
I sucked in a breath, then pasted a smile on my face. “Hey, Sis. Did you miss me?” I reached out to give her a hug and closed my eyes. She felt fragile. Thin and shadowed, her hair dull, her olive skin a more gray hue, as if she were ill, and dark bruise-like circles under her eyes told me why they were keeping her on the research side of things.
“I did. Did you two have fun?” Sid asked and pulled back, a smile on her lips. “Come on in, I have beer in the fridge, but I’m drinking one of Gram’s teas.”
I got a soda instead of a beer, popped the top and took a sip. Sid curled up on the couch and pulled a blanket over her before she reached for her mug of tea.
“Have you been sick?” I asked.
“Just a seasonal cold. I stayed home from the office the last few days and just worked from here.” She gestured to her little kitchen table where stacks of old books, file folders, and her laptop covered the surface.
I sat in the chair nearest her and rested a hand on her blanket-covered knee. “I won’t stay long, so you can rest, but I wanted to come by to see you and bring you a little something I picked up for you in Ireland.”
“Was it as beautiful as everyone says?”
“Even more beautiful,” I told her. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small velvet bag. “Here you go,” I said and handed it to her.
I watched as she tugged the little bag open and pulled out a gold and gemstone pendant on a gold chain. A Celtic knot made of two triskeles, the bases entwined with a circle, the circle set with chocolate diamonds, all suspended from a heavy box chain in gold.
“It’s beautiful,” Sid whispered, then slid the chain over her head so the pendant rested below her collarbone.
“I was told it was the Celtic symbol for twins. I may be married and starting my own family, but you were my first partner and you will always be my twin.”
Sid hiccuped a breath as tears slid down her cheeks.
Alarmed, I dropped to my knees in front of her and reached out to hug her. “Siddie, what’s wrong?”
Sid shook her head and hugged me, her tears soaking the shoulder of my shirt. “I’m just so tired,” she whispered.
“Well, I’m home now. Let’s get you tucked into bed, hmm?” I got up and lifted her off the couch. I carried her into her bedroom and gently tucked her under the covers. “Just rest, Sis. I’ll be here to watch over you.”
She nodded a little, burrowed into her pillow, and dropped into sleep.
I watched her for a few minutes, then left a night light on and went into the main room. I checked the front door and locked it, then went through the connecting door to Gram’s place.
“Grandma, it’s Sin, you home?”
“In the kitchen, Sin,” she replied.
I made my way through the short hallway into the pantry and then the kitchen. Grams was rolling out pie crusts and the room was filled with the scent of apples and cinnamon.
“Glad you’re home, Sin. Your sister needs us,” Grams said.
“What’s going on with her?”
“We can’t seem to figure it out. Some kind of hormonal imbalance that Sett discovered the day after your wedding. Your aunt had told Sid to go to see Alexander and Jolie, but she went downhill too fast to go on her own. I plan on taking her to see them tomorrow.”
I sat at the island where Grams was working and watched her hands lay the crusts in pans, then fill them with the fruit and spice mixture, top with butter, and lay another crust over it all.
“Is she being poisoned? I mean, when I saw her, the change was so dramatic and it’s only been a week. I don’t know anything that would act so quickly otherwise.”
“I sent a blood sample to the SPD lab with Liam to have him check for poisons, magical or otherwise. The results so far are inconclusive, but a few of the more stringent tests won’t be finished for a couple more days.”
“I put her to bed and she fell asleep so fast. I told her I’d stay and watch over her, so I’m going to go back over there. I’ll call Mira and let her know I’ll be late.”
“There’s a nanny cam in the silk flowers on her bedroom shelf,” Grams said and nodded to her cell phone. I picked it up and the screen opened right away to an image of Sid, asleep in her bed.
“Isn’t that a bit stalkerish, Grams?” I tried for a teasing tone, but it fell flat.
“She told Sett she was losing time and memories. I’ll stalk the hell out of my grandchildren if it can save their lives. This chimes if there’s movement, so I can tell if she’s having a nightmare, or if someone’s coming into her room. You should go home to your family, Sin. I’ll go over in about half an hour and give her some of the potion Sett and I have put together that seems to be helping, then she’ll be out the rest of the night. Come by tomorrow and bring her some fresh fruit and chocolate. Entice her to eat. She’s losing too much weight.”
“Is that why you’re making apple pies tonight?”
“Yes. I made blueberry earlier. She ate two slices. So, I’ll make pies if that’s what she needs to eat.”
I got up and came around behind Grams to hug her and kiss her cheek. “You’re the best, Grandma. Love you. I’ll come by tomorrow afternoon. I need to take Mira into town for spying and shopping. We’ll get her some fruit and chocolate then.”
“You’re a good man, Sinclair. I’ll take care of your sister. You go take care of my great-grandchildren’s mother.”
I didn’t go back through Sid’s place, I left out Gram’s front door and made my way home through the fields. The scents of the herbs and flowers filled the evening air and I took a moment to appreciate how lucky I was to live in such a beautiful place with people that sincerely cared about each other. Sometimes, when the worries got to be too much, it was a good idea to count the blessings and not the problems.
When I got home, I handed the small bouquet of lavender, daisies, and verbena I had gathered on the way home to my wife, kissed her, and took her to bed.
Chapter Eleven
Sid
I lay wrapped in a thick quilt on the chaise that Abraham Ricker used as his exam table. The man looked to be in his nineties, when he was really coming up on almost five centuries. One of the most brilliant witch apothecaries in the world, Abraham had taken on my cousin Jolie Fortin as an apprentice when she’d confessed to nearly killing my mother a while ago.
Now, he gestured and adjusted his narrow, gold-rimmed glasses while Jolie took a blood sample, a hair sample, had me go into the bathroom and give them a urine sample. They then let me lie still and rest while a mix of herbs bubbled in a small cauldron over a candle flame, filling the air with a moist fragrance that made me want to sleep.
I dozed off and on, lost track of time – again – and woke to Jolie offering me a cup of something to sip. Honeyed, warm, with a bitter aftertaste, I sipped what I was given and closed my eyes once more.
“She will need to be given this three times a day for a week, then morning and evening for a full moon cycle,” I heard Abraham say.
“What is wrong with her?” Grandma asked.
“
Pheromone poisoning,” he replied.
My brain skittered around, trying to process what ‘pheromone poisoning’ could be, but luckily, Grandma kept talking.
“What is that? I’ve never heard of it,” Grams said.
“It’s very rare. Very old attack on shifters. If she were full shifter, she’d be dead already. Her other aspects have kept her from suffering the full impact of the poison,” Abraham said. “Someone made a spray or potion, used it where she would breathe or ingest it several times, and it poisoned her.”
“Will there be side effects of this potion?”
“She may not have much of an appetite. You will need to encourage her to eat or drink protein shakes,” Jolie answered. “It’s why it’s made with a honey base, to help with strengthening.”
“How do we find out how she was poisoned?” Grams asked.
“Well, it’s something witches made for shifters to use on each other. Has she been around strange shifters recently?” Jolie asked.
I heard Grams make a low, angry sound. “If it is who I think it is that did this, that boy is going to be lucky if he can find his balls to lick them when I’m done with him.”
The only new shifter I’d been around was Nico. But he loved me, he wouldn’t do this to me. I made a sound, but I couldn’t quite pull myself out of the haze to speak.
The next thing I knew, I was in Gram’s van, strapped into the bed she’d rigged for Mom a while back. I heard her talking but we were the only two in the van, so she must be on her phone. It was too much effort to focus, so I closed my eyes and drifted back into oblivion.
Time lost all meaning. I woke to be fed soups or protein shakes flavored with fresh fruit or chocolate. I was helped into the bathroom and sat on a bench in the shower and washed by Grams, Sett, or Mom. When I finally came out of the fog, five days had passed and I felt like I was made of spun glass. Shaky and fragile, I sat up in bed and used two hands to reach for the bottle of water at my bedside. It took me a few tries to get the cap unscrewed, then I drank the whole bottle dry.