by Sadie Hobbes
The shirt was obviously a man’s, and the leggings were even a little baggy, but my own clothes were probably going to have to be torched, they were so covered in blood.
When I came out, Noel was sitting in one of the leather chairs by the fireplace in Torr’s room. I looked at her in surprise. I thought she’d be waiting in Micah’s room. She gestured to the fire, which roared brightly. “Tess came in to make a fire, so I came to watch and make sure that Torr was all right.”
I sunk into the chair next to her and stared at the flames as they flickered and waved. It was peaceful. Or maybe I was so tired that my mind had gone completely blank.
“He really has been living with us for the last year and a half?”
I nodded slowly. “He has the ability to make himself invisible.”
“Why didn’t you tell us about him?”
I winced at the hurt in her voice. “I wanted to. But Torr didn’t think that you would accept him. So he stayed invisible almost all the time.”
“But you could see him.”
It wasn’t a question. “Yes. I don’t know how. Maybe he can choose who gets to see him and who doesn’t, but yes, I can see him.”
“He’s the reason food would show up mysteriously in the kitchen some mornings.”
I nodded.
Noel was quiet for a little while. “I heard you talking to him sometimes.”
“What?”
“Late at night, sometimes I had trouble sleeping. I would hear you talking in the living room. I didn’t really know what to think of it. It sounded like you were having a long conversation. And then I realized if you had an imaginary friend … well, what was so wrong with that?”
“You never said anything.”
“Neither did you.”
We sat there quietly, the burden of each of our secrets laying between us. I thought that we didn’t have secrets.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you. Torr, though, he was all alone. And for him, we’re his family. I know it sounds crazy because you guys didn’t even know he was there, but he walked you to school every day. He watched over you when I was out on patrols.”
“And he saved us from those demons when they attacked.”
I nodded, studying her. There were deep shadows under her eyes. “How are you?”
Noel took a deep breath. “When they burst into the apartment, I thought we were dead. I didn’t even question it. You’ve taught us to defend ourselves, but against three …” Her words dropped away.
I reached out and took her hand, needing to touch her and confirm she was right there, alive.
She took a steadying breath. “I knew there was no way we could fight them off. And then Torr, he just appeared over by your bed. My heart lodged in my throat because then I thought there were four of them. One of them backhanded me. I flew across the room. Another reached for Micah and scraped his nails all along his side. He screamed … so loud.”
I gripped my chair tightly, picturing them terrified.
“And then Torr dove for the couch, pulling the sword out from underneath it. I thought we were well and truly dead then. But then he swung at the largest one. It took my mind a moment to realize he was fighting against them, not with them.
“He yelled at us to get back. They fought, and he kept them at bay even after their swords plunged into his side. But he wouldn’t step out of the way.” A tear escaped down her cheek, and she wiped it away.
“They told him they had no argument with him. But he wouldn’t move. He stood in front of us. He defended us long enough for you to get there.”
Tears pressed against my eyes as the scene from the apartment came back to my mind. “Torr thinks of you as his family as well. You didn’t know he was there, but he was a part of our lives. We were his only source of comfort in a world where he had no one else. He said he would protect you when I was on patrol. I felt better knowing he was there, knowing that he would keep his word.”
“And he did. But he’s a demon. How’s it possible that he’s not like the rest of them?”
“I don’t know. But I’m so grateful that he isn’t. And you have to understand that I will protect him the same way I would protect you and Micah.”
Noel’s gaze strayed to the bed where Torr slept quietly. “I understand.” She met my gaze. “And I’ll protect him the same way.”
I squeezed her hand. She squeezed it back tightly. And the bond was set. This was our family. And we would protect it by whatever means necessary.
Chapter 37
After our conversation, Noel and I sat just staring at the flames for a while, sinking into the peace after all the craziness of the recent events. Noel fell asleep in the chair next to the fire. Her face looked even younger in the firelight.
I nearly dozed off myself. But I knew that Noel would wake up sore from sleeping in that position. And she was recovering too. The side of her face was still swollen, and she was going to have a nasty black eye for a while. I wanted her to sleep in a comfortable bed tonight. So I picked her up and carefully carried her into the other room.
Then I sat with Micah for a little while. He slept soundly. The doctor wasn’t too worried about his injuries. The doctor kept repeating that he was young and healthy. He should heal up just fine.
Tess must have been in to make a fire in this room as well. The glow from the fireplace gave the room a warm, cozy feel.
I was just about to leave, when his eyes opened. “Addie?”
“Hey,” I said softly. “How you feeling?”
He grimaced. “My side hurts but not as bad as before.”
“The doctor said you’ll be okay in a few days.”
His eyes widened. “Demons were in our apartment.”
“I know, but they’re gone now.”
“There was another demon there. He protected us.”
“He’s a friend of mine. He’s friend of yours. I’ll tell you about him tomorrow.”
Micah nodded, his eyes started to close before they jolted open again. “You won’t leave, will you?”
For a moment he looked so heartbreakingly young. Micah had always been good at putting any childish needs aside. But right now he looked like a scared little boy. I took his hand and held it. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Micah nodded, closing his eyes but keeping his hand tightly wound around mine. I positioned myself so I could see through to the next room. Leaning back against the pillows, I closed my eyes, assured that my family was safe, at least for now.
Chapter 38
Graham
Mary had tried to talk Graham out of bringing the breakfast trays up, but Graham knew that Addie would want her privacy, and even though he explained about Torr, he could see the skepticism on both Mary’s and Franklin’s face. So all things considered, he thought it best if he delivered their breakfast personally.
He pushed the cart down the hall and then slowly opened the door to Noel and Micah’s room. Noel was curled up in the extra bed. Addie slept sitting up, her hand wrapped in Micah’s on the large bed. Her face had lost its fierceness in sleep. She looked soft and vulnerable.
Once again he struggled with the image of her and what he knew she could do. But right now all he could think was that she looked like someone who loved her family very much. By the time he’d pushed the cart to the fireplace, her eyes were open. She leaned down and kissed Micah on the forehead before straightening and stretching out her back. She quietly walked toward him. A sense of masculine protectiveness rolled over him as he noted she was wearing one of his shirts.
Which made no sense. Out of all the woman he’d ever met, none required his protection less than Addie. Even knowing that, he still wanted to keep her safe from the evils of the world.
Noel stirred from the bed, her eyes at half-mast only partly due to exhaustion. Both eyes were rimmed in a dark blue and the left was partly swollen shut. “Do I smell breakfast?”
Graham pulled off the plate covers with a flourish. “Ham, eggs, bacon, an
d some freshly made croissants.”
Noel’s eyes opened fully. “That sounds awesome.”
Micah stirred from the bed as well. “Did someone say bacon?”
Addie laughed, looking back at the two of them. “Why don’t you two go get washed up, and then you can have some breakfast, okay?”
Noel hurried over to the bed to help Micah, who was struggling to get himself out from underneath the blankets.
“How’d you sleep?” Graham asked, looking down at Addie.
“Good, actually. Thank you for all of this.”
“It’s the least we can do. Um, how is your other friend?”
“I’m about to go check.”
“Do you mind if I go with you?”
She hesitated for only a moment before giving him a sharp nod and walking to the adjoining door. Torr was awake. He sat up in the bed, looking around the room with a frown, like he wasn’t quite sure what to do with himself.
Graham started at the blueness of his eyes. Torr gave Addie a nervous smile. But Addie’s smile was anything but nervous as she hurried across the room. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”
“Better.” Torr glanced over at Graham. “Thank you.”
Graham started for the second time since walking in the room. A demon thanking him. That was definitely a first. “You’re welcome.”
The rattle of the cart sounded behind him. Graham whirled around to see Noel pushing it through the adjoining door. Micah was right behind her, an arm wrapped around his injured side.
“What on earth are you two doing?” Addie asked.
Noel took a breath and then gave Torr a smile. “This family always eats together. And two members of our family are in this room, so I guess we eat in here.”
Torr looked stunned, and then a smile crossed his face, a smile full of hope.
“Any chance I could join you guys?” Graham asked.
Micah studied him, his gaze going from Graham’s feet to his head. “As long as you promise not to eat all the bacon.”
Graham held up his right hand. “I promise not to eat all the bacon.”
“Then you are welcome.”
The breakfast was one of the most enjoyable Graham had had in a while. Noel and Micah teased one another and everyone around them throughout the breakfast. Even Torr was pulled into their good natured ribbing. At first appearing shocked, his smile eventually grew into by the end of the breakfast it came easily to his face.
When Tess showed up to spend time with the group, Graham found himself lingering not wanting to leave. But as much as he enjoyed spending time with this strange family, he knew he had duties to attend.
With great reluctance he found himself pushing himself away from the wall where he had been watching the two teenagers and Torr play charades.
Addie stood by the window watching her gang while also keeping a look outside. She was tense and unsettled. He couldn't blame her.
She looked over as he pushed away from the wall. He walked towards her stopping when he was just a foot away. He lowered his voice. "I need to go see to some things. Will you be all right?"
She looked up at him with those incredible blue eyes. "Yes. And thank you for everything you've done."
He hesitated, knowing he need to go but finding it incredibly difficult to do so. “About the last time we met and how it ended. I just wanted to say-“
Addie reached out and squeezed his hand. Tingles worked their way up from her grip. "No. It was not my finest moment. And you've done so much."
"I should've done more."
"We all do what we can. And now the people of Blue Forks have people looking out for them. "
"They already had you."
She smiled up at him and he realized he was content to just stand there and stare at her. God, he’d become like a lovesick schoolboy. But he didn't mind. In fact, he embraced it. He'd never felt like this about anyone in his life and certainly not this quickly.
"Morning everybody." Donovan’s smile was broad as he walked into the room. He held a tall stack of boardgames in his hands. "Okay. Who wants to play?"
"Me." Noel dashed over with a squeal.
Donovan's arrival broke the spell between him and Addie. She took a hasty step back. “Um well thank again for everything.”
"I guess I'll see you in a little bit." He turned and headed for the door wanted nothing more than to just stay.
With a sigh he straightened his shoulders and strode down the hall. He'd get his work done. And then he head right back here. Duties be damned today. He was going to spend some time with Addie and her kids. Decision made, he felt better as he made his way down the hall to his office.
He spent an hour going through paperwork and sending out dispatches. And then he decided he needed a break. He headed back to check on everyone but decided to stop in and see Marcus first.
Addie had given Marcus the other demon blade last night. Graham could picture Marcus pouring over it. No doubt he was up to his elbows in research trying to decipher the Enochian on the blade.
Yet when Graham stepped into the doorway of Marcus's office he was surprised to see demon blade sitting discarded on a side table as Marcus sat at his desk mumbling to himself. He was carefully going through the large tome the two of them had gone looking for last week.
"It's not right. That can't be right." Marcus furiously scribbled in a notepad.
Graham stepped in. "Marcus?"
His head jolted up. He blinked a few times in rapid succession before his eyes seemed to focus on Graham. "Oh Graham. Excellent. I needed to speak with you."
Graham flicked a glance at the demon sword on the side table. "Is this about the sword? What did you find?"
Marcus found. "The what?” Then his gaze shot to the sword. "Oh no. No. That's not important."
Graham's eyebrows rose. "That's not important?
"Well I mean of course it's important. But not as important as what I’ve found. I kept thinking about how Addie said the demons were stalling her. And why they went after the kids too. That was a coordinated attack.”
Graham hadn’t thought of it that way, but Marcus was right. And terrifying. “But the demons went looking for the sword, right? They attacked Addie and the kids because of it."
Marcus shook his head. "I don't think that's what happened."
"What do you mean?"
Marcus took a breath. "I don't think the demons were going after the sword. I think they were after Addie."
Chapter 39
Addie
After breakfast, Micah and Noel decided to stay in the room with Torr, which made me deliriously happy. Last night was horrendous and not how I envisioned introducing the three of them. Yet that same incident seemed to have created an immediate bond between the three. After Tess stomped Donovan at Parcheesi, Donovan and the kids settled in for a same of poker.
I had a sneaking suspicion that either Graham, Donovan, Tess, or Laura would always
be “stopping by” to see how everyone was doing. I suppose I couldn’t blame them. They didn’t trust Torr yet. And being that every demon they’d come in contact with up to this point had been trying to kill them, I suppose it was going to take a little time to establish trust.
From the doorway, I watched the four of them as they sat on the bed and taught Torr how to bluff. He looked completely confused. “Wait, so you lie?"
''It's not lying, it's bluffing,'' Micah said.
"What's the difference?" Torr asked.
Donovan doled out the cards. "It's just for fun.”
Torr frowned. ''Isn't that cheating?''
Noel grabbed her stack of cards. "I suppose. But for this game, it’s part of the game.”
Torr still looked confused. I couldn't help but smile. He was getting a crash course in human complexities.
I didn’t want to leave them. I wanted to curl up in the bed and join them, but Marcus had sent a note through Franklin asking to speak with me. His room was just down the hall and hopefully wh
atever was on his mind wouldn't take too long.
Tearing myself away, I made the short trek down the hall. I paused at Marcus’s half-open door and knocked.
“Come in,” came Marcus’s swift reply. I opened the door, unsurprised to see Graham waiting inside as well.
The room was a former study that Marcus had taken over. The desk was covered with dusty tomes, and there was a pillow and blanket on the couch. I was sure Graham had given Marcus a bedroom, but no doubt the professor had been getting lost in his work. He seemed the type.
Marcus came around the desk and hugged me. “Addie! How are you feeling? How are the others?”
“We’re all good. Or at least, as good as can be expected.”
“Excellent, excellent.” Marcus led me toward the couch. Realizing the blanket and pillow were still on it, he stopped giving me a sheepish smile. He hustled forward showing them to the floor. “Please take a seat.”
Graham got up from his seat by Marcus’s desk and sat next to me. The butterflies returned at his nearness. and I was at a loss as to what to do about it. He had been so nice, so helpful.
So far he'd kept his word and no one else had seen Torr. There were no extra soldiers outside either.
But he was still an Angel Blessed and I wasn’t. There was no future in that. Besides, he'd been a perfect gentlemen. I'd caught him staring at me a time or two but he'd just learned I could fight off demons and that I’d had an invisible demon friend for over a year. I'd stare at someone like that too.
So I made a point to not look at him, focusing instead on Marcus. He took a seat across from the two of us after grabbing a heavy book from the desk.
“So what did you want to talk to me about? Torr?” I tensed, waiting for his response. I appreciated what Graham had done for us, but I wouldn’t put Torr in any position he wasn’t comfortable with.