***
What finally pulled her back to the real world was Lyle running past them. He pounded down the steps and through the courtyard. Alastor yelled after him and chased him, but Lyle’s legs were long and he was soon gone, running down the path. Alastor stopped, and Sashe stared at him. His broad shoulders sagged, and he slowly turned around.
What if the Protectors threatened him to help? What if he refused, and the Protectors killed her or Sierra like they’d killed Allison?
He dropped on the steps in front of her, crouching on his haunches. “Come inside,” he said gruffly, holding a hand out. Blood streaked across his palm.
She took it and pulled herself to her feet. She stumbled on the step, and both Alastor and Seth steadied her. “I’m fine,” she whispered, stepping away from both of them. She walked inside as she wiped her hand on her dress. “Where’s Sierra?”
“She’s in the sitting room with your mother.”
Sashe stopped and turned. She stared at Alastor. “My mother?” He never let Sierra and Sashe call him and Natalia their parents, for their safety against people like the Protectors.
Alastor took her shoulders. “Sashe, you’re like my daughter, okay? I would never let anything happen to you.”
She swallowed, sniffling. “What are you going to do, watch me every minute of the day?”
“If I have to.”
“You can’t protect me and Sierra.” Her voice sounded hollow to her ears.
He shook her slightly, and she looked at him in alarm. “I will protect you.” His eyes were shining with tears, and his grip became painful. She screwed up her face in pain, and he abruptly let go of her.
She stepped back and stumbled towards the sitting room. She couldn’t let this happen to Sierra. Maybe she was old enough to take care of her. If she told people she was twenty, they’d believe her. They could make jewelry for a living.
She stopped in the doorway of the sitting room, taking a deep breath. Natalia sat on one of the couches, Sierra’s head in her lap. Natalia stroked back her hair as Sierra took in shuddering, hiccuping breaths. Evan sat next to the couch, holding one of Sierra’s hands. Sierra pulled her hand from his and touched his face, wiping away tears.
Alastor walked past her over to Dar, who sat on another one of the couches. He put an arm around Dar’s shoulders.
Sashe had to hold back more tears as she looked over her family. She couldn’t leave.
“It won’t happen to you two.” Seth’s voice startled her. “We won’t let it.”
She half-turned, meeting his eyes. “They’re powerful.”
He touched her face and ran a finger along her jaw, sending shivers down her spine. “So are we,” he whispered.
Shifting Light Page 7