“I—I— didn’t know.”
“So my lawyers think. My private investigators can’t pin my son’s death on you. So you walk free.”
Stunned, I stepped back.
Her lip curled, and I swore she snarled at me. “Why don’t you just get whatever you want from my son’s room? It’s yours anyway.”
She started to walk away.
“Luke told me to come here.”
She pivoted on her heels to face me.
“You can’t believe your son is gone. He wasn’t fully human.”
She sneered her next words. “If he were still around, why he couldn’t he talk to me himself.”
“He’s not allowed,” I blurted.
Something flashed in her eyes.
“If you think I would believe a demon whore, then you have another thing coming. Because that’s what you are, right, succubus? You suck the life out of everything you touch using your feminine wiles. My son deserved a nice girl like Nina. She was his kind. You polluted his soul. He probably didn’t ascend to his rightful place. Which is the real reason he hasn’t come to see me.”
She walked away leaving standing there feeling like a reject. I couldn’t believe she’d had a private investigator look into me. What had they seen? She had to know that she risked revealing the supernatural world to humans.
I pushed the envelope into my pocket. It boggled my mind that Luke left me his trust fund and hadn’t said anything. Finally, I moved. I headed up the stairs to his room. Once inside, I closed the door and rested my head there for a second.
“I’m sorry about that.”
He was close, too close. I could feel his words on my neck. I turned slowly. His hand caged me in.
“She didn’t mean those things.”
“How could you know that? And what’s this about you leaving me money?”
He stepped back, and I moved to sit on his bed. I glanced up at his trophies and pictures he had in his room of me, him and Flynn, his parents.
“She was right. You had it all until you messed with me.”
The bed dipped as he sat next to me. “She’s not. Don’t take this on. My life was marked the day I was born.”
I knew this, but guilt wouldn’t leave me.
“I can’t take your money.”
He picked up my hand. “You can.” He twirled the ring around my finger.
“Let your mom have it.”
He shook his head. “Mom has more than enough money. Everything Dad had is hers. She has this house, money, the jet. She doesn’t need my trust fund. And if you read that letter, the house in the Hampton’s is yours too.”
My eyes bugged out. “No way.”
He nodded. “That house is full of secrets. The library alone can’t be in the hands of a human, which is why Dad left it to me, and now it belongs to you.”
“Luke—”
“I would have given you the world if I could have.”
We sat in silence while he still held my hand.
“Who are you talking to in there?” His mom ranted on the other side of the door.
I glanced at it and then back at Luke, who had disappeared.
It busted open, but what I saw wasn’t Luke’s mother. She stood there, but the pack of demons who surrounded her was something entirely different. I had only a second before her mouth opened horror movie style and darkness spewed forth. Winged creatures filled the room, and Luke appeared with his sword drawn. There were too many for me to fight. Several of the bat-like creatures converged together in front of me to create a single entity. Surrounded by other bat creatures, I waved my hand as I got to my feet to ward off the attack.
The small flying things were impossible to fight weaponless. However, the monster that stood in front of me swung at me, and I ducked. I attacked and hit air as the beast created a hole where my hand should have connected with something.
A claw formed from things that shouldn’t have existed and clamped around my neck squeezing. I went down clawing at something that wasn’t solid yet was. I opened my mouth and tried to breathe unable to get air.
Luke was surrounded by things and was fighting to protect us both. But, there were too many. I didn’t think that was how I would die. What worried me more was Luke appeared to be losing. I couldn’t let him die a second time and maybe for good. As darkness that wasn’t the evil I was fighting, filled my eyes, I found something deep inside. I let it erupt out of me.
The surge of silent death ripped a wave of destruction from my core. The clawed hand fell away, and I gasped in air.
Moments later, Luke came over. “Mercy.”
Wiped, I nodded I was okay. “Get in the bathroom, hide in the tub. Hurry. He stood and picked up a pair of Beat headphones. Put these on.” He tossed them to me and helped me to my feet.
I stumbled into his attached bath, closing the door behind. I lay in the sunken tub just like he asked. Then I put on the headphones as he started to speak in his native angel tongue.
What I’d seen before leaving the room were the dark creatures, stunned or dead on the ground. Luke must have decided to use his angel light for cleanup because a bright light spilled through the cracks around the door as it rattled on its hinges.
A few minutes later, he came in and scooped me out of the tub, carrying me back to his room. Gently, he set me down on the bed. His mom sat in a chair dazed and disoriented, and immediately jumped to her feet when she saw her son.
She cradled his face. “My baby boy, God you’re alive.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you.”
I rose on my elbows because I was instantly worried. “Are you going to be in any trouble for this?”
His eyes met mine. “I had no choice. You were in mortal danger. I had to reveal myself. I should be fine.”
Ms. Bishop glanced between us. Luke looked up towards the ceiling. After seeing him do this a number of times, I knew the score. He would be leaving ASAP.
“Mom, I need you to trust Mercy and follow my wishes regarding my stuff.” She nodded. “I love her.”
She readily agreed. “Good.” He walked over to his bookshelf and pulled a tan leather-bound book out. He handed to me. “This is what I wanted you to have.” I took it from his hands. “I have to go.”
Panic overtook me. I reached for him. “Will you be back?”
“Everything should be fine.” I nodded. He glanced up again and paused. “And even if it isn’t, you’ll be fine. I know you can handle anything thrown at you.”
He let go of my hand. “Wait,” I called out. He glanced at me. “Come back.”
He nodded and left.
Alone with Luke’s mom, she walked over to me. She wasn’t very tall and didn’t loom over me as she stood next to the bed.
“Mercy, I owe you an apology.”
I looked up and into her earnest eyes. “No, it’s okay. It wasn’t you.”
“Maybe not all of it. I felt what was inside me, and it fueled all my anger. I judged you unfairly. I think that when you’re a mother to only one child, no one is good enough for them.” She sat next to me on the bed and folded her hands in her lap. “I see clearly now, and I can tell how much you love him, and how much he loves you.”
“How?” I probably should have kept my mouth shut.
“I’ve seen the two of you together. And I saw what you did when you thought he would be overcome.”
“I could have died too.”
Her eyes held mine. “Yes, but I saw you more worried about his safety than your own.”
I had no idea where she was during the battle, but she’d obviously had seen me watching Luke.
“You have to know I would give my life for him.”
“I do. And I’m grateful he has you and Flynn in his life to watch over him.” She pointed at the book I held. “I think I know what that is.”
I opened the book and read a few lines on the first page.
I found heaven today. Her name is Mercy. She didn’t see me because I was t
oo tongue-tied to speak to her.
It was hard not to smile. I flipped several pages and found another passage.
Today it happened. She showed up at a party. Lucky Flynn got to kiss her, but the dope couldn’t keep his trap shut. I felt like kicking his ass when he made her leave the room upset. I won in the end. I got up the nerve to follow her out and for the first time, she saw me, not him.
I thumbed toward the back of the book and found something else.
Flynn continues to press me to tell Mercy my fate. How can I burden her with my destiny when she has her own to conquer?
“I’m planning to spend time with my sister. I’d hoped to empty the house and put it on the market. However, I want you to have time to do with his stuff as you see fit.”
“No, it should go to you, especially the pictures and trophies.”
Her eyes warmed in my direction. That was a first. “When my son was much younger, he asked me once if we had plywood. It was an unusual question considering he had to be around eight or nine at the time. He did that at times, though. Anyway, about two days later, he and Flynn were playing baseball outside and ended up breaking the front window. That wasn’t his first or last time he’d had a sort of premonition if you can call it that. Luke has reasons for all he does. If he wants you to have everything in this room, he knows you’ll need it.”
She placed her hands on mine. “Let me get you a key to the house and his car.”
“His car?”
She laughed. “Yes, I have too many cars between my own and my ex-husbands. I don’t need Luke’s.”
“I don’t either.”
“Well, looks like we have a lot in common.”
Her smile lit up the room before she left me alone. I stayed there for a while wondering what else Luke wanted me to find. When I made it back to my house, everyone was in the living room.
“Mercy, we were worried.”
I hugged Mom and saw Flynn’s unhappy face. I shared with them where I’d gone and what happened with the exception of the journal and my inheritance. I hadn’t figured out Luke’s motivation, but didn’t think it was everyone’s business, especially not Mia’s.
“I’ll have the witches ward his house tomorrow when they do ours,” David declared.
Effectively, that ended the impromptu meeting. Everyone began to disburse, so I added, “I think I’m going to turn in.”
I trudged upstairs feeling very old. Nobody else my age had to deal with the crap I was dealing with. Once in my room I tried to close the door, but Flynn was there to stop me.
“What’s going on Butterfly?”
I studied his shirt. I’d been so tired this afternoon. I hadn’t paid attention to the shirt he’d changed into after practice.
“You didn’t wear that shirt today did you?”
Flynn had the nerve to look innocent. His shirt said, I HAVE A PSYCHOTIC GIRLFRIEND.
“I’m not psychotic!”
He grinned. “But you agree you’re my hot girlfriend?”
There was no time to answer. He was in my room and on me in seconds. He took advantage of my momentary surprise and cupped the back of my head and kissed me.
Every time his lips touched mine, the world went out of focus, and I felt like I was floating.
He pulled back looking just as affected. “If I’d known kissing could be like that, I would have mated you a long time ago.”
“I thought you were going to wait.”
He glanced away and sat in at my desk chair. He spun the chair around and said, “You’re right. It’s that every time I’m around you. I feel a strong need to be close to you.”
Tired, I turned and undid my pants. I bent to pull my jeans off before kicking them away in a corner. Mom would kill me, but my laundry basket was in my other room. Before I even thought about what I was doing, I peeled off my shirt. I turned and found Flynn gaping at me.
“What’s your problem?”
I don’t know. “You’re standing there almost naked.”
I shrugged. “How many times have you told me you’ve seen countless boobs before?”
My bag was in the corner. I rummaged in the stuff he packed for me and pulled a tank top out. With my back to Flynn, I reached around and unhooked my bra. I got it off and pulled on my tank top. I found a pair of shorts that were barely shorts, but there was nothing else.
“That’s the last time I let you pack for me,” I said getting to my feet. I turned, and Flynn was there.
“Mercy.” There was a plea in his voice. “I need you to tell me now if it’s Luke who you choose. I promise not to be mad. Hell, I’ve survived this long without sex. I’m sure if Angel Boy agrees, kissing between us will probably work. Actors do that shit. Married actors make out with other people on screen all the time. It’s just I feel this urge to toss you on the bed and show you all my wonders.”
“Wonders?” I half-giggled.
“Don’t laugh, Mercy. I’ll do things to you that will make your toes curl and having you call out my name. And damn if I don’t want that more than anything in the world.”
My jaw dropped, and Flynn hooked an arm around my waist. He pulled me close while twisting our position, and then I was falling. He kissed my neck, and his hands were under my tank top. I had this mad urge for him to take it as far as he wanted, but then I remembered that going all the way with Flynn would hurt him and Luke.
“Stop.”
He stilled.
“We can’t.”
He scrubbed a hand over his face and lifted off me. “Yeah… okay. I should um… go.” He ran a hand through his messy hair and got to his feet. “Get some rest.”
The door closed softly, and I closed my eyes. I’d upset him again, and I hated myself. I knew he wasn’t mad about me not wanting to take the next step. He was unhappy because he thought I wasn’t choosing him.
I dropped back to the bed and closed my eyes. My very complicated life was only getting more complicated. Flynn deserved answers. They both did. And I’d been too much of a coward to be honest with my feelings. I knew who I would choose. I just had force myself to tell them both.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Flynn wasn’t there when I woke up, but I swore he’d been there during the night. David had donuts and bagels downstairs when I got there. My stomach soured at the sticky sweet smell. I took a half a bagel because I didn’t want anyone to worry that I hadn’t eaten much. Whatever energy transfer between Flynn and I had kept me sustained so far.
I left first, opting for the cool fresh air of the outdoors, so I didn’t hurl on the hallway floor. I tried to dress comfortable being that after school I would meet up with Morgana. The body-hugging tee shirt wasn’t my normal fare, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t sure if I’d grown more comfortable in my skin or if life-and-death kind of trumped socially awkward problems. Either way, I stood next to the Hummer and didn’t have to wait long for Flynn to breeze out of the door.
He wore a shirt that said Free Pony Rides within a downwardly pointing arrow. I choose not to comment.
“I hope you’re okay with my music selection this morning.”
He didn’t wait for me to answer before head-banging music spewed from his speakers. I wasn’t sure why he’d bothered to ask, seeing that he hadn’t ever given me a choice. I’d become used to ear ringing music for a while.
I leaned my head on the window and popped in my ear buds and let the song ‘Give You What You Like’ carry me away.
My eyes had drifted closed when the music cut off. I sat up. “What are you doing?”
We were at a stop, and he had my phone hooked to his stereo. Arvil Lavine started pumping through his speakers.
“A little depressing, don't you think?” he asked with raised eyebrows.
I shrugged. He hooked an arm around my neck and dragged me across to the seat next to him. He kissed the side of my head. “We’re good?”
Angling my head, I met his icy blue eyes. “I thought you were mad at me.”
“Why would you think that?”
His head dipped, and he kissed me until the car behind us started honking. The light had turned green. He moved his arm but interlocked our fingers. He kissed my knuckles as the song continued, and he focused on the road. I forgot I had it on repeat. When the song played again, he didn’t stop it.
By the time we parked, he was smirking.
“What?”
“You’ve got a goofy grin on your face.” I hadn’t realized it. I bit my lip, and he took his other hand and freed it before stealing another kiss.
Then he took a ski cap and put it on his head.
“Why are you wearing that?”
“I need hair a cut.”
I took the cap off and ran my hands through his hair. “I kind of like it messy.”
His eyes started to glow, and he pulled my hands-free. “Today isn’t a good day. Don’t let this freak you out or anything, but I think I need to um, you know, soon. I thought I was good, but being around you is spurring it on.”
He opened his door, and I sat for a second. In fact, I sat so long, he opened my door and held my hand as I got out.
“I thought you said you were fine.” His glowing eyes were a telltale sign that his need would soon be out of his control. I remembered the beach and those warm nights.
He closed the door and pressed a button on his key fob to lock the car.
“I am. But, I have this need to possess you, to mark you. I know, creepy shit, right? Anyway, I’m trying to handle it.”
He walked me to my first class, and it passed along with the rest of the day. I didn’t eat lunch and hung out with Maggie in the media center. She wanted to avoid Brent, and I wanted to avoid food. Flynn, who couldn’t miss a meal to save his life, had gone to lunch with Tom. And Nina hadn’t shown. I waited for her to pop out of nowhere, but she didn’t. When the day ended, Flynn drove me home. He skipped practice because we had a plan to put in action. I’d told Maggie we had a family dinner to attend because I didn’t want her anywhere near my house when things went down.
When we turned onto my street, Flynn stopped in the middle of the road because everything was frozen as if we’d been hit by an ice storm. I jumped out of the car and looked around. Morgana clearly didn’t care if humans saw or not.
Sacrifice of Mercy Page 25