Point of No Return

by Tara Fox Hall

  She led me past them into what had to be the ballroom, the scene of the battle finale. There was fallen plaster everywhere; the gilt mirrors that had lined the sides of the room shattered, pieces of silver glass lying here and there. The hardwood floor looked to be the only thing that was unscathed.

  “Why are you here?” The cold hissing voice echoed in the room.

  I looked up. Lash was on the balcony, staring down at me, dressed in black as usual.

  “Dev asked me to come and see you,” I replied. “He said to talk to you about fixing up some of the rooms. I need supplies.”

  “Stay there, and don’t move,” Lash hissed, moving from view.

  I waited for him for several minutes. Valerie waited with me, though her anxious body language clearly showed that she wanted to leave before Lash got here.

  Several more minutes went by.

  “He’s clearly taking his time,” I said to Valerie. “You can leave me here if you want.”

  Obviously relieved, she left at once, jogging back towards the door.

  I walked closer to the far wall, inspecting it. Some sort of huge blast had hit this back wall and knocked a section of it away, exposing five splintered two by fours. Cracks radiated from the blast site. There was plaster missing in places all the way up to the ceiling forty feet above.

  “What did he ask you to do?” Lash said from behind me. His tone was standoffish as usual. “What do you need?”

  I turned to him, trying my best to act friendly. “He gave me a bunch of things to work on when I’m here. He said to come and see you for help.”

  “Help with what?” Lash hissed, annoyed. “Get to the point already. I’m busy, Sar.”

  I forced a smile. “I just need a little direction. Tell me his favorite colors, so I can pick up some paint. I know he likes shades of grey, black, and white, and probably silver and gold. But the guest rooms would look austere or garish using just those shades. I would like to use colors, preferably ones he doesn’t hate.”

  Lash eyed me for a moment. “Green-blue, like your eyes,” he hissed. “Or darker. Red, like fresh blood. Yellow-orange like flames. Maybe purple, if the color was deep enough. No pastels or light colors.”

  That all made sense. “And brown or blue?”

  “No, he doesn’t like earthy colors,” Lash hissed. His face twisted in something like a smile. “He doesn’t like the outdoors. I have to drag him camping with me.”

  “Devlin said the equipment Danial had the night I found him was yours.”

  His face lost the smile. “Yes, though I don’t see why that matters to you.”

  “It just solved a mystery,” I said quickly. “I wondered sometimes if Danial had purchased it for show, once I got to know him.”

  “That’s why he borrowed it,” Lash hissed. “Danny doesn’t like getting dirty.” He smiled again, this one lecherous. “But I do.”

  I averted my eyes, appalled. “Can you tell me about the gardens around the house?”

  “What about them?”

  “Could tell me where each of them are in relation to the house, maybe show me what you can the next time I come here? He wants me to plant flowers in the spring. I need to know what kind of shade/sun to plan for.”

  “Sure, but you can’t check soil type,” Lash replied. “The earth is frozen.”

  I was surprised he knew that soil was important. “With the modern fertilizers, that shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, I’m going to plant easy to grow flowers, nothing fancy.”

  “Practical,” Lash said in approval. “Anything else?”

  “I need painting supplies, baking supplies, and decorating stuff. I’d prefer to pick them out myself in person. Do you have an account at a certain store that I should use? Does it matter where I get them?”

  “Dev wants you to bake for us?” Lash said, surprised. “Why?”

  “He wants me to teach Serena.”

  “Arrive early in the morning the next time you come to see Dev,” Lash hissed, sounding annoyed. “I will go with you to get supplies.”

  Ugh. Hope hard, Sar. “Don’t you have to guard Dev? I could go with Titus.”

  “Until he knows if you are pregnant, Dev wants me with you anytime you are not with him, his brother, or his brother’s men. Titus is occupied, and the bears are uncouth.”

  If they were uncouth, what did Lash see himself as? “Okay.”

  “Sarelle?”

  I turned to see Devlin coming toward us.

  “What have you accomplished?” he asked, laying his arm possessively across my shoulders.

  I filled him in on the last few hours, ending with Lash’s offer to get supplies next week.

  “You are too efficient, Love,” he said, pleased. “But remember, you are not to exhaust yourself. That is for me to do—”

  “Do you want me to take her to Danial?” Lash interrupted. “Otherwise, I should get back to work.”

  “No, Terian is already here for her. He’s down in the basement with Titus, looking again at that werecougar poison.”

  “What’s the big deal?” Lash hissed, as he walked away. “So it’s poison.”

  “It’s more than poison,” Terian said coldly, appearing next to Lash.

  Lash neither jumped nor moved, just turned slowly, his expression unimpressed.

  “What do you mean?” I asked, worried.

  “Poison usually kills quickly,” Terian said meaningfully, his cherry wood eyes angry. “This would’ve been excruciating for a long while before killing.”

  “Samuel must have more,” I replied. “Is there an antidote?”

  “No,” Terian said knowledgeably. “But one is alluded to in Titus’s Book of Poisons.”

  It bothered me that Titus was so into the dark arts that he was a poisoner. He seemed so nice, but he’d tricked me with that fertility spell. What were his real motives? What did he intend for Terian, now that father and son had been reunited? Would Titus lead him deeper into evil?

  “What does it say?” Lash hissed abruptly, startling me.

  “It says that a mixture can stop the pain and reverse the poison,” Terian replied coldly. “But you need vampire blood and faerie blood.”

  “Fairies?” I laughed. “You mean like elves or something?”

  “They’re people like you and I, Sar,” Devlin corrected, hugging me. “They’re like humans; they can just do magic more easily and have a longer lifespan. Tatiana has faerie blood in her, and Leri was a full faerie—”

  At the mention of his mother’s name, Terian’s eyes went red. “Sarelle, we should go.” He grabbed my hand. Hayden faded, replaced by the great room at Danial’s house.

  I yanked my hand out of his. “Terian,” I said, irritated. “You didn’t need to—”

  “He said her name on purpose!” Terian said hotly. “He knows she tried to kill me—!”

  Annoyed, I teleported back. Instead of the ballroom, I found myself outside the gates of Hayden.

  What the fuck? I was freezing! I tried to teleport inside and couldn’t, not even to a spot inside the gate. Walking to the gate, I pushed the gate buzzer.

  “Yes?” one of the bears answered.

  “Send Titus out, please,” I replied, my teeth chattering. “It’s Sar.”

  In a few minutes, Titus appeared. He grabbed my hand, and then we were in his workshop. “Sorry, I should have told you,” he said, wrapping a blanket around me. “Only I and Terian can teleport into Hayden, due to security reasons.”

  “Can you do something, so I can, too? You know I’m not going to hurt Devlin.”

  Titus regarded me. “Only at his request. The order came from Lash—”

  “Do it,” Devlin said, coming down the stairs, Lash in tow. “I trust her, Titus.”

  “I’ll amend the barrier, to let her through,” Titus said, nodding.

  “Take care, Love,” Devlin said, giving me a long soft kiss. “Come back next weekend on Friday, or before that if you want to. If I know you’re here, I’ll ar
range to come back.”

  “Are you still busy with Ebediah’s affairs? Are you going to bring the bears and wolves here?”

  “Not anytime soon,” Lash hissed. “We can’t trust them. Anyway, most have been traded by Devlin for assets we can use.”

  Devlin nodded. “I released most of the bears and wolves to provincial rulers in Canada in exchange for a tithe, which let them out of their contractual obligations to me. They get to stay where they prefer to live, and I get some money out of it. One older she-wolf is coming here to live sometime in late summer—”

  “I told you not to let her,” Lash hissed, rolling his eyes. “None of the wolves, Dev.”

  “She’s going to be useful, Lash,” Devlin retorted. “She’s willing to take care of the housework. Jazz is getting sick of Valerie doing it and the other mated women refused to, even with the extra pay—”

  “That’s it?” Lash hissed suspiciously. “She’s going to do housework? I don’t buy it.”

  “Yes,” Devlin said. “If she gives me any trouble, you can eat her.”

  “Fair enough,” Lash said, nodding.

  My stomach roiled. Devlin had been serious. Ugh.

  Devlin’s cell began to ring. I hastened to take my bag from Devlin’s hand, gave him a quick kiss, and teleported. I appeared before Danial. His back was to me, his phone to his ear. I gave him a hug, startling him.

  “There you are,” he said, pleased. “Terian said you went back for your bag.”

  “Mommy!” Theoron cried. He grabbed me around my waist.

  “Are you ready to see the movie?” I said, running my hands through his dark hair.

  “It’s at six,” Danial said anxiously. “We need to leave now to meet Elle and Theo.”

  We made it to the movie with about ten minutes to spare. Theo and Elle were waiting for us in the cinema lobby. Theo broke into a smile when he saw us.

  “Daddy!” Elle said, hugging Danial around the waist.

  A few people passing by gave us considering looks. No doubt they were wondering which man was my current husband and which was my ex. I felt a rush of pride knowing that both were mine, then a stab of guilt.

  “I got Theoron some popcorn,” Theo said, holding it out to him. “I tried some, and it’s fine.”

  From the looks of the bag, he had tried half of it, but I wouldn’t be the one to say it. I was hungry enough to eat a bag myself. “Go get seats,” I said, smiling. “I need some popcorn myself.”

  “Get me some candy!” Elle cried. Theoron echoed her.

  “Okay!” I yelled.

  Ten minutes later, I was back with soda, popcorn and candy. Theo met me at the theater entrance.

  “There you are. Danial was getting worried.”

  “Here, help,” I said, handing him most of the food. “I don’t want to miss the beginning.”

  “I’m okay,” Theo said quickly, as we walked back to our seats. “Being with Elle is helping. I just wanted you to know that.”

  Unsure how to reply, I nodded, and took my seat, my carefree mood dampened.

  * * * *

  After saying goodnight to Theo and Elle, Danial, Theoron, and I walked back to the Expedition. There was no moon, and the parking lot lights were dim. Catching my unease, Danial squeezed my hand and reminded me he was armed.

  “Some of that was the movie,” I replied. “I don’t like these modern movies with unhappy endings.”

  “The bad man won,” Theoron said sadly. “That never happens in my books at home.” He looked from Danial to me. “Why didn’t the good guy win?”

  Danial picked up Theoron, not breaking stride. “In real life, that sometimes happens,” Danial said seriously. “That is why I do what I do, to try to make sure that people who do bad things don’t get away with them.”

  “Will you get killed, like those people did in the movie?” Theo said, tears threatening in his eyes.

  “No, my son,” Danial said confidently. “I’m going to be with you for a long time. So is your mom.”

  After that, the serious atmosphere became almost oppressive, like a funeral. It was definitely time for a mood boost. “Danial, how about some ice cream?”

  “Please!” Theoron shouted. “Please, Dad!”

  A few moments later we were at a nearby Friendly’s, standing in line looking at the list of flavors.

  “Can I get a twist and a sundae?”

  “Just pick one,” I said, ruffling his hair. “We’ll come again another time, Theoron.”

  “Okay,” he said with complete seriousness. “But I want a big one!”

  “This was a good idea you had, Sar,” Danial whispered, slipping his arms around me. “I wanted him to enjoy tonight, and not be sad. We should have picked a better movie.”

  “I have other good ideas for later,” I said seductively. “If you’re interested.”

  Danial turned my head with his hand, and gave me a soft kiss. “I look forward to hearing them at length,” he said, then kissed my cheek. “Unless you just want to demonstrate them.”

  I was debating giving him another kiss on his inviting lips when the attendant asked “What will it be, Ma’am?”

  “Maple Walnut—”

  “Sar?” an appalled and familiar voice said from behind us.

  Chapter Eleven

  I turned to see my mother in line right in back of us, my stepfather beside her. Shit. I was hyperconscious of Danial at my side, Theoron holding me around the waist. My mother was staring at me hard, murder on her face.

  “Hello, Chris,” Danial said politely. “Hello, Tina. How nice to see you.”

  “Danial,’’ my stepfather said politely as well, and held out his hand. Danial shook it.

  “Sarelle, can I talk to you for a moment?” my mother forced out, as she dragged me to the outside of the restaurant where she immediately laid into me. “What in the hell are you doing here with him?” she yelled, furious. “You are married to Theo, and he’s a good man—!”

  “Mom—” I said, panicked, yet trying hard for calm. Thank God there was no one out here to watch this.

  “I know you must have a damn good reason for being here with Danial. So tell it to me!” my mother said roughly. “Tell me it’s not that you’re bored, or lonely, or-—”

  “Theo knows I’m here with Danial and Theoron—” I said quickly,

  My mother shook her head. “No way!” she spat back. “Theo would never agree to let you go out with Danial, even just out for ice cream. I saw you kissing him!”

  There was no way out of this except one: the truth. “See that child holding Danial’s hand, Mom? That’s my son.”

  Her mouth dropped open as her face drained of blood. “Your...you and Danial...?” she breathed, not seeming to be able to form the words.

  “His name is Theoron,” I said, putting my hand on her arm. “Danial insisted we name him for Theo. I had him when Theo was gone.”

  She looked back at me, her eyes narrowed. “He’s too old to be your son. He has to be about four or five. Theo was just missing for two years. You’ve only known Danial for three—”

  “He’s aging faster than normal,” I answered haggardly. “He is Danial’s child, and he’s...he’s supernatural.”

  “What?” my mom said, incredulous. “Why are you saying these lies—?”

  “Look at my face, and tell me I’m lying!” I said scathingly. “I’ve done my best to protect you from some of the strangeness of my life, but I’m tired of pretending, and frankly, you should get to know your grandchild. He probably won’t be the only one you’ll ever have who is like this. But he is the first. If you can accept him, you can accept any that I might have afterwards.”

  My mother’s eyes went wider still. “What are you saying?” she whispered. “Are you pregnant?”

  “I’m saying Theo is what’s called a werecougar. He can change into a cougar. Elle is the same. Danial is a vampire. Theoron, our son, is half vampire, half human.”

  She wobbled. I went to her
. Together, we sank down on the bench outside the restaurant. We said nothing for some moments.

  Finally, I reached over and grasped her hand. “Yes, I might be pregnant. If I am, the baby might be born a lion cub, like Elle was.”

  My mother looked at me in absolute terror. But she wasn’t screaming yet. This was going pretty well, all things considered.

  “Is it safe?” she whispered. “Will you be okay? Have you talked to, well, whomever you went to when you had your....your son?”

  She said the last word so hesitantly I knew that it broke her heart that she hadn’t known about Theoron. “I’m seeing a good doctor, and yes, he is going to take good care of me,” I said confidently.

  Theoron came running up to me, and hugged me. “Why are you over here, Mom?” he said curiously. “Who is this lady?”

  I looked down at Theoron. “This is your grandmother, Theoron. You can call her Grandma.”

  “This is who you went to see at Christmas?” he said.

  My mother let out a gasp.

  “Yes,” I said, pulling him up to sit between us. “And it’s past time you met her. Say hi.”

  “Hi, Grandma,” Theo said shyly, then he gave her a smile.

  My mother reached out hesitantly, and smoothed Theo’s dark hair back from his face. “You have your mother’s eyes,” she said, choked up.

  “Would that he had Sarelle’s hair, as well,” Danial said gently, walking up to us. “But my darker coloring won out, I’m afraid.” There was pride in his tone, as there always was when he talked about our son.

  My mother looked up at him, and then back at Theoron.

  “Give your grandma a hug, son,” Danial said softly. “She has waited far too long to hold you.”

  As Theoron hugged my mother, her eyes closed and she let out a long breath. She hugged him to her fiercely.

  “Is it true what she said, that you are a....a—” my mother looked at Danial, but seemed unable to say the word.

  Danial looked at me, and sighed. “It’s true, yes, though I wish she had not told you. I wanted you to—”