Young Seth just stared up at Matthew. He was still too shocked to answer. I wasn’t sure how much of what Matthew said had even registered.
But my Seth understood each and every word.
“I’m happy,” Seth said to his memory of Matthew. “I’ve got a new family. I even have dogs. You were so brave. I’m so sorry I forgot.”
He began to weep.
Victoria signaled for the twins to put Matthew against the wall.
“Oh, I can’t ever let him be happy. The more he hates us, the better off we’ll be. I could be tempted to let you live as well, but you’d never give up trying to rescue him.
“Now,” she continued. “As I said before, this won’t be quick and painless.” She put her hand on Matthew’s heart. “You’re about to die. That’s my ability. I infect you with death.”
I watched in horror as her hand glowed green for a moment. Matthew’s face tensed, and he started to convulse again. The twins let go of him. Matthew crumpled to the floor.
The Shaws all watched as Matthew’s veins bulged and his skin started to turn a pale green.
“There’s no cure,” Victoria said. “It usually takes an hour or so, but he’ll die in agony. Untie the child. We need to get rid of the bodies.”
Slowly, they freed young Seth from his bonds, and walked out of the room. They tossed Seth on the ground and left without a second look.
Young Seth crawled over to Matthew and waited with him. My Seth went over and said one last silent goodbye.
Then he walked towards me.
“It took over five hours,” my Seth said quietly. “I remember. Jack came down later and checked. He said it had been five hours, but Matthew was still alive. He died a few minutes later. He did whatever he could to protect me. I think he must have promised my dad.”
Seth looked down at Matthew’s body again.
“If Victoria can kill Matthew, she could kill Payne, too. He needs to know. Bristol, I had a dream where you realized someone was dead. It could be Payne, if you keep protecting me.”
Chapter Seventeen
Aunt Rose Pops In
“Stop it,” Payne said. “Stop looking at me that way.”
I shifted my gaze and shrugged. I was sitting on a couch in one of the dens, Seth asleep in my lap. The floor was littered with a dozen Star Wars toys that he’d been given over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I responded.
Payne just sent me that devil’s grin. The same one that normally sent shivers up and down my spine. Now it just made me want to hit him.
“Look,” Payne said as he moved closer. “So there’s one person out there that can kill me. Each and every one of those people heading into town can kill everyone else that we care about.”
“I know,” I said. “And terrifies me. Seth had that same dream that I did. Payne, what if that someone is you?”
Payne looked like he was ready to dismiss me when he thought better of it, which was a very smart thing for him to do.
“Bristol,” Payne said. “I love you. I plan on living a long, full life with you. You’ve seen us together—”
“I know that, but my visions have been wrong before.”
“So,” Payne continued. “Maybe this one will be wrong, too. Maybe nobody we know will die. Or maybe you were talking about one of the Shaws.”
“No,” I said. “It wasn’t one of them. I was upset over it. Why I be upset unless—”
Payne was about to say something, when Seth stirred. We watched him moan and shift. He opened his eyes for just long enough to see me there, sent me a weak smile and then drifted off again.
“He’s exhausted,” I said.
“So are you,” Payne said. “You can’t be with him every second of every day.”
“I can for now. He needs me. He was getting better—and once the Shaws are dealt with, he’ll do it again.”
Payne grabbed a pillow and propped it behind my head. Then he moved over another chair and picked my feet up, slipped off my shoes started to rub. He took such good care of me.
“Look. Right now, our grandfathers are spreading the word about the Shaws. Anyone in either family who knows how to beat them will step forward. We know what they’re planning. We’ll be able to fight them.”
I closed my eyes for a moment.
“Not everyone will step forward,” I said. “Some people in both of our families don’t want to risk their lives for Seth.”
“Enough people will,” Payne assured me. “You already have Archer. And while I’m not sure what Phillip can do, if he doesn’t have an ability, his military experience will be helpful. Toby’s ready, too. I don’t think he has any ability, but he’s huge. He can crush them. More people will step forward. And don’t forget me.”
I opened my eyes and looked at Payne. I waited until he was looking at me.
“I need something from you,” I said.
Payne smiled. “Anything. I live to serve.”
I looked at him. My eyes met his. What I needed was not going to be something Payne would want to give me.
His smile faded when he realized what I was about to ask of him.
“Bristol,” He said. “No. You can’t ask that.”
“Yes I can,” I said. “I wish I could ask that of everyone. Uncle Mark, your grandfather. All of our cousins. But I can’t. I can ask you. I need this. Don’t be a part of whatever it is that their planning. Stay with me. With us.”
Payne’s eyes flickered down to Seth.
“Payne,” I said. “I can’t imagine my life without you. I have to stay with Seth. He needs me by his side, and my ability isn’t going to be of much help against the Shaws.”
“But I can—”
“You didn’t see what they did to that poor boy, Payne.” I interrupted. “He was just sixteen. He had your powers, and they just enjoyed killing him over and over again. They were all laughing at the fear in his eyes when he knew he was going to die. I’m scared of what they’ll do to everyone that I love, but they can only kill the others once. What they can do to you—”
“What makes you think that I’ll give them the chance?”
I smiled.
“You’re good,” I said. “And I believe that we have a huge advantage, but still—”
“Bristol,” Payne interrupted. “You’re asking me to let the people I love go into harm’s way and not be by their side.”
“I know I am, and I feel horrible, but I need you with me. With us.”
I indicated Seth.
Payne stared at the two of us for a long time before he cursed under his breath. That’s when I knew I had him.
Why didn’t I feel any better?
Things were happening fast. There were flurries of movement everywhere I looked. Men and women in suits kept coming in to speak with Varick. Uniformed police officers kept arriving to talk with Uncle Mark, and various Blackburn and McKnight cousins popped in here and there to talk to some of the kids. They’d all say hello to me or Payne as they passed by. In one corner, Seth was playing a video game with Simon and Zack.
Grandpa walked in. Archer quickly ran over to help him into the room, only to be shooed away.
He still hadn’t recovered fully from healing Archer, and while Grandpa refused to complain, Archer still felt horribly guilty. However, Grandpa was just too stubborn to accept that he needed to rest. He’d flat out refused the offer of an electric wheelchair from Varick.
I watched a silent nod pass between Grandpa and Varick. Both of them approached us. Simon noticed and nudged Zack and Seth, who put their controllers down so they could listen.
“I understand that you have convinced Payne to stay by your side,” Varick told me. I saw Payne flush with embarrassment, but I ignored it. “I believe this is wise. If things do not go as planned, I want him with you. Archer, I would like you to stay with Bristol and Seth as well.”
Archer looked shocked. “Why? I can fight.”
Grandpa stepped
in.
“Neither you or Payne have got a thing to prove. You put yourselves in harm’s way to protect Bristol and Seth.”
“Then let me be there,” Archer argued. “I can help. You don’t have to treat me like a child.”
That earned him both an eye roll and a threatening shake of the cane from my grandfather.
“Then stop acting like one.”
“If it were me,” I heard Uncle Mark whisper to Varick, “that cane would have hit me on the back of my head by now.”
“It still might,” Grandpa said, glancing quickly at my Uncle before turning his attention back to Archer. “Give us old coots a little credit that we know what we’re dealing with. Even your best bud over there agrees.”
He pointed across the room with his cane. We glanced over to where Ian stood, holding hands with Hunter. He looked ready to pass out for being put on the spot.
“I’m sorry, Archer,” Ian admitted. “It was my idea to have you stay with Bristol and Seth.”
Archer was furious. “Why?”
“A few reasons,” Ian gestured with his hands as he spoke. “Look, we’re working on a strategy here. Now if it works, no offense, you won’t be missed.”
“And if it doesn’t?” Payne asked.
Ian looked nervously at Hunter before he answered.
“If it doesn’t, we’ll need someone near Seth who can defend him. You guys might have to run for it. Bristol’s got the instincts, and the ability to see things before they happen. You’ll need that to keep one step ahead of the Shaws. You’re also going to need people with strong abilities. That means you, Archer. Besides, the family’s seen both you and Payne.”
“So?” Archer asked.
“So, they’ll be prepared for you. They’ll be expecting to battle your ability. Better to hit them with abilities that they don’t already know about. That will give us the best chance of stopping them from getting by us and preventing them from getting to Seth.”
Hunter stepped forward. She had a look of confusion on her face, and anger was slowly dawning in her eyes.
“Wait a minute,” Hunter said. She poked Ian’s shoulder with her finger. “What do you mean, us? Didn’t you just convince me not five minutes ago to go with the young children? I thought you’d be with me!”
Ian looked like a terrified first grader being sent to the principal’s office.
“Well, I never said that I was going with you,” Ian sputtered. “I told you that your grandfather had recommended that we go with the smaller children—and that I thought it was a good idea for you to be with them. You’re really good with kids.”
“So what?” Hunter asked. “What about you?”
Ian shrugged. “I’m not so good. They sense fear and bully me.”
Hunter’s eyes scanned the room, but nobody else wanted to make eye contact with her, least of all Ian. “So you plan on being where, exactly? With Bristol and Seth?”
Ian looked around the room for help, but got no takers. Our identical expressions told him he was on his own.
“Well, it makes sense for me to be with the, uh, main group. I can be of help there, and if I didn’t think that, I’d happily go with you. I don’t want to prove that I’m tough. I know I’m not a fighter, but I might be able to spot something that might help. Your grandfather said so.”
Hunter spun on Varick. For the first time, I thought I saw Varick look intimidated.
“What did you say to him?” Hunter asked her grandfather. She took a menacing step towards Varick, dragging Ian along with her by the elbow, and nearly pulling his arm out of his socket.
Ian, being Ian, nearly tripped and fell on his face.
“Hunter,” Varick stayed calm. “Ian has been speaking to many of the elderly members of our families for years. Listening to their stories. He has not only amassed a very impressive understanding of the family dynamics, but also a tremendous amount of goodwill. He has been a good friend to you, and to Payne and Bristol, although he is neither McKnight nor Blackburn. People trust him. Additionally, Ian has demonstrated a keen insight. Having him with us, watching and listening, may be very valuable.”
Hunter just shook her head. “But this is Ian.” She pointed to her boyfriend in frustration. “Ian! He’s no good in a fight!”
“Hey, now,” Ian said, holding his hands up.
“You’d trip over your own feet trying to get into the fight,” Hunter snapped.
“I don’t think I’m that bad,” Ian complained.
“What would he do?” Hunter asked Varick. “Your grandson Zeke could beat him up.”
I saw Archer and Payne try to stifle a laugh.
“No, Zeke couldn’t,” Ian replied. “He’s only six, for Heaven’s sake.”
“Not to mention Ian gets woozy at the sight of blood,” Hunter said.
“You know,” Ian said mildly, “I’m right here.”
“Granddad,” Hunter continued. “I can’t see what use he could be to you unless you expect to use him as a distraction.”
Ian turned to the kids who were sitting on the floor. “You guys can see me, right?”
Zack looked at Seth. “Hey, did you hear something?”
Seth giggled.
Ian scowled at them, and turned back to Hunter. “Look, you know me. I’m not the hero type.”
“No kidding,” Archer interrupted. “You got stuck in the bathroom the other day because there was a little spider on the door handle.”
Archer held his fingers apart as if he held a tiny, invisible pencil to demonstrate the size.
“Hey,” Ian didn’t seem too offended. “Spiders are gross, but that’s not the point. I need to do my part.”
“And I don’t?” Hunter asked. “If you’re there, I’m there.”
Ian shook his head. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Oh, really?” She arched an impatient eyebrow. “Why not?”
“Well,” Ian said. “For one thing, all those things you just talked about get worse when I’m around you.”
“Please,” Hunter narrowed her eyes like she wasn’t buying it. “Don’t do that to me. Don’t tell me I have to go away for your sake. You think Payne doesn’t want to be a part of this fight? I know it’s probably killing him not to go, but he’s staying by Bristol’s side because he loves her, and he loves Seth. I can fight, too.”
“Hunter,” Ian placed his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t think for an instant that I don’t love you just as much.”
Hunter’s face softened a little as she looked at Ian.
“I love you, too,” she said. “All I’m saying—”
Ian lifted a hand, and stroked her cheek with his fingers.
“Please.” His voice was quiet. “Go where I know you’ll be safe. I know you could fight, and I know it’s not fair, but I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
I watched as Hunter melted. She glanced down for a second, and when she looked up at Ian again, I could see the resolve in her eyes.
“Fine,” she told us all airily. “I’m going to pack.”
She kissed Ian’s cheek, and then walked away.
I saw the relief in his eyes—eyes that immediately sought out both Varick and my grandfather.
Once she was safely out of earshot, I grabbed Ian and Varick and pulled them over to Grandpa.
“What the hell are you three hiding?” I asked. All three of them suddenly refused to look at me, or at each other. I glanced at Uncle Mark, who’d come over, too. Clearly he had no idea what was happening, and neither did Archer or Payne. The boys were ignorant, as well, and had more or less gone back to their video games.
I decided to pretend that they weren’t listening with all of their might.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ian said in a squeak.
“Save it,” I countered. “Or I’ll get Hunter and make her ask you for details. I know she can’t pick up on lies of omission. You were just too relieved that she didn’t
press you further on your plans. Now spill.”
Ian made motions with his hands like he was pushing something down, a look of abject terror on his face. “All right, keep it down! It’s not so much as a plan as an idea of a worst-case scenario. One that I very much hope we won’t get the chance to try out. I don’t even know if it would work, and I’m not eager to find out.”
I crossed my arms, tapped my foot and cocked an eyebrow at Ian.
“You’ve got ten seconds.” I looked at my watch. “Nine, eight...”
“It’s you,” Ian sputtered in a panicked whisper.
I stopped tapping my foot.
“Me?”
“Well,” Ian said. “Um, your ability to see ghosts, really. Look, the reason I’m there is to try and keep Seth safe, and to learn as much as I can, not only about the Shaws, but also about Moe, Larry, Curly and Shemp. And unlike pretty much everyone here, I’ve never lost anyone I was extremely close to. I mean, I lost a few friends a few months ago, but nobody that— y’know—”
My mouth dropped open as I realized what he was saying.
“Are you out of your mind?” I asked. “You’re planning on coming back as a ghost?”
Ian hushed me.
“No,” he said quickly. “No, no, no. Not really. I mean—well, yeah, but only if I die. I’m not planning on dying. What I mean is, I’m really, really hoping I don’t die. But if I do, I think I would be able to find my way back. But that’s like, y’know—worst case scenario stuff.”
I stared at him blankly for about a minute, before I punched him in his arm.
“You’re insane,” I said. “Ian, I can’t let you do this. This isn’t even your fight.”
Ian drew himself up to his full height. “Yes, it is.”
He spoke with such conviction, and even a little anger, that it actually took me by surprise. From the looks on Payne and Archer’s faces, I could tell they were just as stunned.
“I’m as much a part of this now as anyone. I knew exactly what it meant when I fell for Hunter. I knew what it meant when I became friends with you and Payne. I’m in this. Don’t tell me it isn’t my fight.”
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