Sacrifice of Mercy

by Shannon Dermott

  “Stop wiggling or you’ll embarrass us both,” he whispered in my ear.

  I stopped, afraid everyone else heard his words.

  “Okay,” David said, starting our informal meeting. “Ordinarily, having you all stay wouldn’t be a problem. There is more than enough space here at the house. However, I understand the wards are down. And I don’t feel safe with my wife, daughter, and son here.”

  My heart warmed that David considered me to be his daughter.

  “And my unborn child. We are vulnerable here. Fortunately, Julie’s house has yet to sell, and she probably has better wards than mine. Actually, it could be warding off potential buyers.”

  He laughed as we all stared at him, waiting to hear the punch line.

  “Anyway.” He glanced at Mom, and she gave him an encouraging smile. “It will be a tight fit, but I think we can all stay there until I can get the wards up on the house.”

  “What about Luke’s house?” I blurted.

  Mom turned sympathetic eyes on me. “I don’t think that’s an option. I’m pretty sure his mom is putting the house up for sale, or last I heard. It’s a big place for only her.”

  I hadn’t spent a lot of time there. I wondered if Luke knew and how he felt about it.

  “Rune, as I understand it, you may not have anything to wear other than the clothes on your back?” He nodded. “Flynn can give you some stuff. Then, maybe we can go shopping.”

  “Shop?” Flynn said, sounding like the idea reminded him of homework.

  “We can order online. For now, give him some of your stuff. We should have extra toothbrushes in the bathrooms. Mia, you came with stuff?”

  She nodded.

  “Everyone pack. Mercy and Flynn, you have school tomorrow.”

  “School,” I said disbelievingly.

  “Yes school,” Mom answered.

  I rolled my eyes. There was no need to get into a fight about it in front of Tristrom, Rune, and Mia.

  David continued. “We’ll meet in the foyer in ten minutes. I have to drive Flynn to pick up his car from the airport first. The rest of you will follow or ride with Julie.”

  I got up to head out of the door when I heard Rune. “I don’t feel so well.”

  He darted passed me, and I called after him, “The door on the left,” I said, as he clamped a hand over his mouth.

  I hustled to reach the door in time to throw it open. He ducked inside and spewed everything he ate in the toilet. The smell hit me first before the gagging sounds made me lose it. I ran for the stairs not sure I would make it to my bathroom, but was determined to do so.

  “Mercy, what’s wrong?” I heard Mom call out.

  There was no time to explain. I felt the few contents of my stomach zooming up my throat ready to explode. I tore through my room door and into the bathroom. I slid across the floor like Luke and Flynn slid into home plate. I barely had the toilet lid up before my gag reflex forced my mouth open, and I puked everything, including my guts. I was sure of it.

  It wasn’t until my hair was lifted off my neck did I register someone else’s presence in the room. I felt awful, and I couldn’t speak for fear there was more to come. I glanced over at Flynn, who wore an expression of worry while rubbing my back.

  Mom stormed in. “Mercy are you okay?”

  I shook my head, but the movement forced me to jerk my head back to the toilet as I choked up more of the measly dinner I’d forced myself to eat. Nausea grew as the rank smell in the bathroom went up my nose with every breath. I wasn’t sure how they could stand it. I flushed the toilet and tried to keep my head upright and not face plant in the toilet.

  Then, Flynn explained to Mom about my food poisoning at Tom’s castle.

  “Why wasn’t I told this until now?”

  My voice came out rough like I had a mouth full of rocks. “Mom, don’t blame him or me. So much has happened. And I was better.” That was only a half lie. I hadn’t quite felt myself. I just hadn’t puked in a while.

  “We need to get a doctor or a witch to figure out what they spelled you with. I’ll talk with David. Meanwhile, I’ll pack your bag for you. You lay down if you can.”

  “I got it, Mom. I think I’m good now.” Another half lie. But, I couldn’t have her picking out my clothes.

  Flynn stood and cradled me under my arms to help me stand. I felt pathetic, which was how I felt the last time I barfed up my guts.

  “Someone needs to check on Rune. Mom, you’re a nurse. He needs you more than me. It’s probably strange after all this time for him to be human again.”

  She nodded and gave a meaningful glance at Flynn. He nodded back as if they spoke the same non-verbal language. I rinsed my mouth out before limply heading to my bed to curl up on my side.

  Flynn sat next to me. “It sucks, doesn’t it?”

  I managed a weak smile. He rubbed his hand up and down my back. I had to admit it was relaxing to the point I could almost go to sleep.

  “I could kill that chick for doing this to you.”

  I opened my eyes to find him staring at me with such passion.

  “For what,” I croaked. “I’m not dying. It just feels like it.”

  He leaned over. “I would kiss you, but you need to brush your teeth first.”

  I tried to slap his arm. My feeble attempt only made him laugh harder.

  He got up and moved out of my line of sight.

  “Where are you going?” I asked, my voice small with no force behind it.

  “Someone needs to pack for you. Dad’s right. We’re sitting ducks here. If someone were to attack now, you…” He paused. “It just wouldn’t be good.”

  “Flynn—”

  “Don’t worry. I got you. I know you like jeans and tees. No problem.”

  I closed my eyes. The idea of Flynn going through my clothes mortified me. Yet, there was nothing I could do about it.

  “Whoa, look at these.”

  I didn’t open my eyes. I was far too afraid he’d found my underwear drawer and some of the purchases Maggie talked me into once when Victoria’s Secret had a sale.

  Then I remembered something. “I already have a bag packed from Tom’s. I can just use the washer and dryer at my house when we get there.”

  “Too late,” Flynn said, sounding way too pleased with himself. I heard him next to the bed before clothes were spilled out next to me.

  “What are you doing now?”

  “Dumping out your bag and putting in new stuff. School’s tomorrow and you don’t seem up to doing laundry tonight. But, I’ve got you.”

  I rolled my eyes and groaned.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes, if humiliation counts as being okay.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll be back. I’ve got to get Tris and Rune some clothes and pack myself.”

  “Hey, Petal, time to go.”

  “Petal,” I murmured.

  Flynn leaned in to whisper to me as if someone was close enough to hear. I couldn’t see anyone else. “I would call you flower because you’re as pretty as one. Right now, you’re a bit wilted around the edges.”

  “HaHa,” I said without much humor. I couldn’t believe how zapped I was of strength. It was as if the spell was to not only make me sick, but to weaken me as well.

  I sensed more than saw us descend the stairs.

  “Good, we are all here,” David said.

  “I’m going with Mercy, Dad.”

  “I don’t want to be away from Julie any more than you do Mercy. Julie can take care of her while we get your car.”

  “No,” he hissed. “I’ll get her home and then we can get the car. What’s the big deal anyway? I don’t need it right now. I can drive Mercy’s car to school tomorrow if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  I opened my eyes for a second to see David’s shoulder’s lift and fall. “Fine, we’ll stop by the house first.”

  I wasn’t sure why he was so intent on getting Flynn’s Hummer. Flynn was right. He didn’t need it. My car ha
d been Flynn’s car before David got him another.

  David’s next words put everything in perspective. “Then you, Mia, and I will take a ride to get your car.”

  Flynn didn’t argue. Fresh air hit me, and I fluttered my eyes open. He tucked me in Mom’s SUV and got in the back. Mia still had my keys, I guessed, and she would follow us. Then, in caravan fashion, we tailgated to my old house.

  I drifted off again and opened up my eyes as we turned into our subdivision. The neighborhood was very different from David’s mini mansion. The houses were smaller and closer together. But there was still a good distance between each one so that you didn’t have worry about neighbors complaining about the noise.

  The next time I opened my eyes, Flynn hauled me out of the car, and I wondered if I was too heavy.

  “You don’t have to carry me. I can walk.”

  “Mercy, let me do this. You’re light as a feather. And aren’t you the one that told me you liked it when I carry you like this?”

  “I do.” I thought again about the lake house. “I don’t ever think you answered my question I asked the first time.”

  “What’s that?”

  “If you thought I was pretty,” I confessed.

  “My bad. The truth is I’ve always thought you were gorgeous.”

  The way he looked at me made me a believer. Too bad the next thing I remembered was being set down on my bed.

  “Get some rest. I’ll be back soon.” Then he placed a chaste kiss on my cheek.

  My old room faintly smelled of dead air. I was too out of it to open my window. I closed my eyes again and willed away the feeling of queasiness. Someone in the world hated me, and her name was Riona.

  Later, I smelled soup with a hint of a burnt smell. I knew instantly Mom had tried to fix me something. I waved her off in fear if I tasted it, I would begin to dry heave. I pinched my nose closed because I didn’t think I could go another round praying to the porcelain god.

  Voices outside my room woke me up. From what I overheard, Mom was setting up Mia in the guest bedroom. The nausea was gone. I dared to sit up. Dizziness made me brace my hands on the edge of the bed. I needed fresh air and counted off a few seconds before I forced myself to my feet.

  After staying in my room at David’s, my childhood room was small. It only took two steps before I reached the solitary window. I opened the curtains and paused. Hanging there was a large and perfectly formed snowflake ornament.

  “Mom,” I said softly at first. I sucked in some air and tried again. “Mom.”

  She couldn’t have been far because footsteps headed my way.

  “Mercy, what’s going on?”

  I pointed and took a step back.

  “What the heck?” Mom said.

  She moved next to me and squinted her eyes as if that would somehow change what was right in front of us.

  “David,” Mom yelled in a voice that used to stop me in my tracks as a kid.

  “Yeah.” It sounded like he was downstairs. Our house was tiny enough you didn’t need intercoms to hear someone. A good shout could bring someone coming.

  “I think you should come here.”

  There were other voices that followed, and I knew my room would soon be filled to capacity. Lacking strength, I couldn’t stand any longer. I sat on my bed, and that was when I caught sight of Mia standing in the doorway. Soon after, she stepped inside to let the four guys into the room.

  The yellow walls that used to bring me comfort did nothing to ward off the chill from the snowflake. It was a message I got loud and clear.

  “Mab’s found me,” I uttered into the silence.

  “You don’t know that,” Flynn argued.

  “The house wards are working. The string it hangs on has no frost to it. It could be someone else. Plus, we don’t know for sure it’s Fairy.” Mom turned to face us. “No one touches it or the window. It could be spelled. You’re safe inside. There is nothing to worry about. Whoever did this, doesn’t know you don’t live here now.”

  “But we are here,” I said, stating the obvious.

  “I’ll contact the witches. Just another thing I’ll have them check out when they come the day after tomorrow.” David left muttering.

  Flynn followed. “Dad, you couldn’t get them to come sooner.”

  Tristrom came over. “I don’t think its Mab, Mercy. How would she get out of Fairy?”

  “Do you have the scepter?” I asked belatedly.

  I’d been so out of it; I hadn’t thought about it.

  He nodded his head. “Do you want it?”

  I shook my head. “You keep it for now. You know how to use it better than I.”

  He said okay and left. Then, Rune sat next to me.

  “I’m sorry I made you sick.”

  I glanced over, and it was different to see him with color in his cheeks. “You didn’t make me sick. I was already ill. It’s not your fault.”

  He placed his hand over mine. “Maybe. Seeing me didn’t help.”

  “Really, I’m fine. How about you?”

  “It’s weird being human again.”

  “I bet. I’m sure it will come back to you like riding a bike.” He smiled, and I asked the question I’d wanted to. “Do you miss him?”

  His head shifted to face the window. “He told me my feelings were because of the transformation. That it made me confused. I didn’t want to believe him even though I’d never liked a guy before.”

  “Now?”

  “My feelings haven’t changed. I still love him.” He met me squarely in the eye. “I know you guys don’t trust him. You have to believe me when I say he’s not bad. He tries to hide it. But, he was there for me when no one else at that school was.”

  “I believe you.” His face relaxed. “So how did you show up in time to stop him anyway?”

  “He brought me along, told me to wait outside. I had no idea what he was up to. Then I heard him and what he said. I came as quickly as I could.”

  Vampire hearing was like shifters, or so I thought. “Thank you.”

  “He didn’t mean or want to hurt you. That Belial guy has some hold over him.”

  It was the truth, and there was nothing either one of us could do about it. I switched topics.

  “Do you want to stay human?”

  He glanced at me puzzled. “I hadn’t thought about it. Didn’t know it was a possibility. I’m not sure how I feel.” I shrugged. “I guess I could get someone to change me back.”

  When he left, I was alone. Mia had already ducked out without a word. And Mom must have followed after David as well.

  “Petal.”

  I glanced over my shoulder. Flynn stood in the doorway. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better,” I admitted.

  “Do you want me to stay with you?”

  I shook my head. “I think I’m going to lie back down. Somehow I don’t think Mom is going to let me off the hook with school. It’s getting late anyway.”

  He nodded.

  “Are you really going to call me Petal?”

  He grinned. “I’m testing it out.”

  The snowflake caught my attention. There was something mesmerizing about it.

  “Don’t forget to brush your teeth. I’m going to play a few games of Madden with Tris and Rune. Then I’ll be up.”

  “Funny,” I said. “And you don’t have to rush. I’m fine. Go hang out.”

  There hadn’t been much down time for any of us lately. He needed it more than he would ever let on.

  “Alright. It’s back to school tomorrow.”

  He left, and I stared at the window for the longest time. Somehow I knew Mab had been there. She was the type of devious woman to do something so simple that spoke volumes. I had no idea how I would handle her. At least, the hellhounds wouldn’t be bothering me, and Sebastian wasn’t quite ready to kill me. Two down, several to go. Nina was in hell, and I hadn’t told Mom and David about her. I would leave that for tomorrow. Mom had enough to worry about as it
was. And Nina would only be gunning for me.

  I started to scoot back on my bed when a shadow stepped into the light.

  Chapter Thirty

  I started scrambling back on the bed until the shadow caught my foot. Then, the dust cleared from my eyes and into the light Luke stepped or rather stumbled.

  “Jesus, you scared me.”

  Luke smirked. “Not quite Jesus.”

  He sat, and the bed dipped under his weight. The corner of his mouth was bloody, and his hair was askew. I lifted a hand to wipe the blood from his lip, and he winced.

  “What’s going on? Every time I see you, you’re hurt.”

  He clasped his hand over mine and removed it from his face. That time he didn’t let go. He kept me captured as a storm churned in his summer blues.

  “I went to see my mother.”

  I wasn’t sure how this played with him being hurt. Still I asked, “How is she?”

  He shook his head, and I saw sorrow splayed across his face. It was weird how I felt relieved by seeing the emotion. He hadn’t shown much of it since he returned. I feared the worst and maybe my conclusions were unfounded.

  “She’s selling the house,” he muttered.

  He found out.

  “Are you okay with it?”

  He shrugged. “What can I do about it?”

  “You can tell her how you feel.”

  “I’m not allowed to make contact with her.” That stunned me. “I check on her when I can like I check on you. Without Dad and me, there is plenty of evil trying to make its way inside.”

  “Inside where?”

  “Inside the house, inside her. She’s so bitter, and I’m afraid she’s unknowingly inviting it in. I do my best to fight the evil spirits away, but they always come back.”

  He shook his head.

  “What can I do to help? You’re not a one-man army, Luke. You have us to help.”

  His head moved side to side. “I wasn’t supposed to reveal myself. I got away with it because I was in the middle of completing an assigned tasked when everyone saw me talking to you and Flynn. It can’t keep happening.”

  “What will they do if they find out you’re talking to me?”