“Iris? What are you doing here?”
“Mind if I walk with you?” Iris’s short legs had to work overtime to keep up with Denny’s brisk pace and long legs.
“Cassandra send you?”
“No. Nobody knows I’m here. I came because I saw the look in your eyes when you noticed that scratch mark on Bri’s neck, and I knew what you’d do.” There was a long pause and ten steps before Iris whispered, “What did you do?”
“What do you think? I warned her to stay away from Brianna.”
“You warned her? How? With a blow to the back of the head? Did you cut out her tongue?”
Denny stopped walking and stared at Iris.
“Is she...is she dead?”
Denny laughed. “You think I killed her?”
Iris shrugged, her gray eyes registering concern. “I could sense your demon from the cemetery. You barely contained it.”
Resuming her long strides, Denny shook her head. “She’s still alive...for now.”
Iris worked to catch up. “Bri will not be pleased that you threatened her. She said she would take care of it herself. I’m afraid she isn’t going to appreciate you and your demon riding up on your white charger.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not a witch and no one tells me what to do. No one.”
“Easy, cowgirl. I’m just here to make sure you don’t do stupid things”
Denny stopped once more. “What is it you want, Iris?”
“Golden Silver, you saved my life a few months ago at great risk to your own. I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure out how I can repay you for taking such a big chance on someone you didn’t even know.”
Denny resumed walking. “No need to repay me, Iris. I’d let you down when you first came to me for help and it nearly cost you your life. No harm, no foul.”
“I won’t argue if you wish to downplay it. You cared about me. You showed me what it means to be a friend. I am here as your friend. Don’t alienate Brianna by your actions. You still have a chance with her.”
Denny laughed. “A chance? I don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell with her but that doesn’t mean I am going to lean back against the bar while some scumbag cop beats her up. Oh hell, no.”
Iris sighed. “Very well then. It’s your game to lose.”
When Denny finally reached the car, she offered Iris a ride back to the coven.
“No, I’m fine on my bike. You show up there now and Brianna is sure to feel what you’ve done. She’s good like that, and she’s gonna be super pissed off. Give her a few days to get over it.”
“Well then—thank you for checking up on me, I—”
“I wasn’t checking up on you, Golden Silver, and I didn’t come just to make sure you didn’t kill that woman, though I am relieved to see you did not. I came to tell you something you’ve been asking about—something about Valeria.”
Denny froze. “Valeria?”
Iris stepped closer to Denny and spoke barely above a whisper. “When you left the coven, I eavesdropped on nearly every word Cassandra said. She knows more about Valeria than she’s let on. I don’t know why she’s not sharing it with you.”
Iris had Denny’s full attention now. “What did you hear?”
“I hope this doesn’t upset you, and she didn’t say this was a fact...she was taking an educated guess.”
Denny watched a man walk by hands in his pockets, head down.
No threat.
“You heard her take an educated guess about Valeria?”
Iris nodded. “I spent the day doing some digging around the coven and I think Cass’s guess is spot on.”
“Out with it Iris. What guess are you talking about?”
“I believe, well, not me, but Cassandra believes Valeria was in love with your mother.”
Denny cocked her head sideways. “In love with my mother?”
Iris nodded. “That’s what she said.”
Inhaling deeply, Denny said, “And? Is there more?”
Iris looked away.
“Go ahead, Iris. I’m a big girl. I can take it.”
“I don’t know, DH, if a daughter can ever be prepared to hear that her mother...well, let’s just say it’s entirely possible those feelings were reciprocated.”
Holding one hand up, Denny slowly shook her head. “Are you certain that’s what Cassandra said?”
“I’m a pretty damn good eavesdropper, so yeah. I am certain.”
Denny put her hands in her pockets then took them out. She stepped left, then right. She suddenly felt as if someone had nailed one foot to the ground. “Gotta say. Iris, I wasn’t really expecting this. I can’t say I didn’t have my suspicions, but to hear it outside of my head? It’s...”
“Hard to imagine, I know. You need to talk with Cassandra, DH. She’s getting her information from somewhere.”
“Somewhere? Or someone? Someone knows for sure and it’s not Cassandra.”
“On no...you don’t mean...”
“I need to find Valeria now more than ever.”
“Are you mad?”
“Mad? Why would I be mad? Valeria saved my mother’s life. I just have more questions than answers.”
“Valeria was probably your mother’s witch, but Cassandra sounded pretty convinced they were more. As for Valeria’s whereabouts, Cass made some comment about Valeria being out of town so much and wondered if it’s you she’s avoiding.”
“Why me?”
“Well, Valeria left town just when you received the Hanta. Cassandra thinks Valeria isn’t ready to answer your questions. Again, this is just conjecture.”
“So she really is out of town. Okay. But avoiding me? I seriously doubt that.”
Iris nodded. “I’m rooting around trying to find out where, but so far, no luck. I’ll keep trying, though.”
“Don’t get in trouble over it, Iris.”
“Golden Silver, I would have been raped and held hostage if it wasn’t for you. I’m not the least bit worried about trouble.”
“Well, you should be. The next time you try a potion or spell on me without my knowledge, there will be hell to pay. Understand?”
Iris nodded. “Ten-four.”
Denny opened the car door. “You don’t want to see my Hanta when it’s mad.” Denny got into the car and rolled the window down. “Sure you don’t want a ride?”
“Nah. I’m good. Just remember, when Bri finds out, there will be hell for you to pay.”
Denny nodded. “She’ll just have to rub her sore spot and get over it. Thank you, Iris, for coming to check on me and for eavesdropping. I really appreciate it. Be safe.”
As Denny drove to Ames’s house, she felt a warmth spread across her chest.
Her mother had been loved after all.
And by a witch, no less.
***
Ames sat on the kitchen stool next to Denny. His stainless steel kitchen was right out of Gourmet Digest and the large island was big enough to seat six comfortably. Denny always took the middle stool and waited for him to serve a beverage.
It was just southern hospitality.
Tonight, it was lemonade. Freshly squeezed.
“Ames, when I fought the Liderc demon, you acted like you thought he was the one responsible for Mom’s catatonia. Were you just bullshitting me then?”
Ames blew out a breath as he swirled the ice cubes around in his tall, frosted glass. “I don’t lie to you, Goldy. At the time I said that, I believed that was one possible reason why your mother was no longer with us.”
“What happened to change your mind?”
“Honestly? When everything started going south with Asmodeus, and it looked as though you might not make it out alive, I realized they might very well come after Gwen. So I...” he shook his head. “I set up a web cam so I could watch her without having to constantly drop by.”
“That’s how you knew I was there.”
He nodded. “I didn’t mean to pry, but I was certain Asmodeus was going to come after your mother and I ne
eded a better way of keeping on top of that.”
Denny sipped the lemonade. It felt cool down her throat. “Go on.”
“After that battle was over, I just left them. I felt more secure knowing I could see who was coming and going.”
“And that’s when you saw Valeria.”
Ames nodded. “She used to come around once a week at different times, but the webcam showed a different story when you were battling Asmodeus. Valeria came around more often. She performed rituals and spells in your mother’s room. She seemed overly concerned about your mother’s safety.”
“Okay. I get all that, but––”
“Let me finish. The night after Valeria came to your rescue, she went to see Gwen. I didn’t think anything of it until she bent over and whispered something in Gwen’s ear. I took the video to an FBI friend of mine because I wanted to see what it was she said. I only recently got the video back.”
Denny lowered her glass and waited.
“She said she was sorry. If she could have done it differently, she would have, but it was all she could think to do to keep Gwen safe. There was a little more, but he said they couldn’t pick up what it was.”
“Why in the hell would she have done such a thing?”
Ames stared at Denny and waited.
“She was scared of something.”
“Or someone. My thinking is that Valeria cast your mother’s essence into a holding room of sorts to make her appear...innocuous to someone else. I think she might have been hiding her in plain sight.”
“But if the danger is over, why doesn’t she bring her out of it?”
“Because we don’t know that it is.”
Denny poked at the ice cubes in her glass. “That means Valeria must still think she is in danger. Even more reason why I need to find her.”
“Tiger by the tail, kiddo.”
Denny took a big gulp. “This woman has injected herself into my family, Ames. The least she can do is cough up some intel on who it is she’s so afraid of.”
“I doubt she’ll see it that way.”
“Do you think my mom was in love with her?”
Ames slid off the stool to get more lemonade. “Why on earth would I know if your mother had a thing for Valeria?” he asked, topping off their glasses.
“Because you know everything.”
He chuckled and sipped his lemonade. “Goldy, some stories aren’t mine to tell.”
“So you do know?”
“I didn’t say that. Look, my job is to train you to use your hunting powers to the best of your abilities, not reveal secrets of those I’ve trained. That’s one boundary you’re just going to have to respect. Your mom was in a bad way after the accident. You have to trust that Valeria did what she did because she felt it was best.”
“She trapped my mother in a body that hasn’t walked or moved on its own in six years. It would have been better to have let her die.”
“Exactly. So she had to have had a damned good reason, don’t you think?”
“Then why hasn’t she undone it? Brought Mom back to her body?”
Ames slowly shook his head. “You’re asking the wrong person and probably the wrong question.” Ames held his hand up before Denny’s next question. “I know you want to rescue your mother, I get that. So do I, but that’s not our place. It’s not our job.”
“No? Then whose job is it?”
Ames stared at Denny in silence. “Valeria’s?”
“She’s her witch, isn’t she? Can you at least tell me that? If they were a team, then her job was to protect the hunter—something my mother is no longer. So why keep her in the dark abyss, Ames?”
“I’m sure she has her reasons, but trust me on this...you hunt Valeria down and start peppering her with questions, and she’s likely to tear you a new one. You can’t force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do, and you most certainly do not want to make an enemy of her.”
Denny inhaled deeply. The Hanta stirred. “I just want to ask some questions.”
Ames grinned and shook his head. “Once again, Goldy, you need to spend more time reading up on the nature of Wiccans. You think question are harmless. You’re wrong. So very wrong. Questions require words, and words are the foundation of Wiccan power...of Druidic power...of Goddess power. Words are their weapons, their protection, their livelihood. Words are everything to these witches. You still don’t yet appreciate that or you would understand that your questions might very well feel invasive to Valeria...like an assault.”
Denny lowered her glass and turned to face him. “I never looked at it like that.”
“Well kiddo, you need to start. These Wiccans are a part of your life now.” Ames hopped off the stool and opened the front door, signaling an end to the conversation. “I mean it Goldy, you’ve wasted enough time being the graveyard gargoyle. Educate yourself and for Christ’s sake, let Valeria come to you. Nothing good can come from cornering a witch.”
Denny headed out the door and down the stairs.
“One thing I can tell you, Goldy, is this: Valeria would have eaten glass to protect your mother. If you’re going to assume something, assume she did what she did to save Gwen’s life... Maybe even to protect Gwen’s family. Keep that in mind.”
As Denny heaved herself into her car, she realized she had even more question than answers. Maybe the answers she needed were right in front of her. Maybe it was time to return to her lair to find out just what had happened to Gwen Silver.
***
“So you broke both her arms?” Rush asked when Denny had finished her tale of the night’s activities involving Ray Ann.
“Her wrists. I broke her wrists. There’s a difference.”
“Potato, po-tah-toe. Risky business messing with a cop, baby. I hope you know what you’re doing.” Rush was wearing a macramé vest with orange bell bottoms that had holes in the knees. Huge platform shoes completed this seventies’ attire.
“Cop, senator, thug, it’s all the same to the Hanta where evil is concerned. It has no tolerance for nasty people and doesn’t give two shits what anyone does for a living or how high and mighty they are.”
“It’s not some superhero you know, it’s a demon. It doesn’t...or shouldn’t...get a vote.” Denny found the book she was looking for and plucked it out. “Here it is.”
Rush floated over to see the book. “The Wiccan Way? You finally going to learn about all those women who want you? It’s about time. Yo Adrian!”
“I swear to God, I am unplugging that television.” Flipping through the book, Denny set it on the roll top desk before plopping into the old desk chair, her eyes lingering on a far wall that led to yet another secret room. Her mother had been nothing if not cautious. The lair was like those nesting dolls: a house with a lair, a lair with a secret room, a secret room with two chests she couldn’t get into.
Rush followed her gaze. “I wish I could help you with those chests in there. I’ve talked to all the ghosts in town about those weird symbols, but no one has a clue and let me tell you, some of those hags are older than dirt.”
“I don’t have time for mysterious chests right now. I have to focus on Mom and Valeria. I know my mom’s secrets had secrets. Were they more than just demon and witch? Is Valeria the reason my parents started fighting so much?”
Rush frowned like a little girl doing math. “I have no idea. Anytime I heard her on the phone, it was always very business-like...very professional.”
Opening the book, Denny nodded. “I’m just trying to connect the dots of my family’s past to help shed some light on the present.”
“Understandable, but I’m not sure you’re going about it the right way.
“That’s what Ames said.”
“Then listen to the man. He is not only yummy, but very, very wise. There isn’t a ghost in Savannah who wouldn’t do him.”
Before Denny could reply, the red light went on and the doorbell buzzer sounded, alerting Denny that someone was at the front door. Rush d
isappeared and was back before Denny reached the stairs.
“Uh-oh. Your witch is here and boy is she pissed. Don’t answer the door. Run, Forest! Run!”
Denny took the stairs two at a time and landed on the first floor with both feet like she did when she was a kid.
A fist pounded the front door. “Open the door right now Denny Silver or I swear to God I will open it myself!”
“See? Shouldn’t have broken both wrists,” Rush whispered. “I mean, if they get back together, that’s seriously going to limit––”
“Hush.”
Denny obliged and swung the door open to face an irate Brianna who pushed her way into the house, shouldering by Denny.
“What. The. Fuck?” Brianna got to the middle of the room and whirled around. “What in the hell is wrong with you?”
Closing the door, Denny faced Brianna. Her cheeks were red and the frown line between her eyes deep and angry. “She had it coming, fucking thundercunt.”
Brianna paced to the other side of the family room, her ire filling the room. “I don’t need your help Denny. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a witch. I can handle one messed-up cop. What I can’t handle is some novice demon hunter throwing her weight around trying to save me. I don’t need saving, Golden Silver, and I don’t need you!”
“Rookie dem—”
“I’m not done.” Brianna wagged her finger in Denny’s face. “Did it ever occur to you that I might have been the one who started that fight? That perhaps she was defending herself. Did it ever, even once, pop up in your demonic little brain that I was the one who initiated physical contact with her?” Brianna hesitated a split second before continuing. “Right. You never considered that, did you? You have no idea the power I am capable of so you figured I was the victim in this. You gave me zero credit for being able to handle myself and that is what pisses me off the most.”
Tension hung between them as Denny’s mouth twitched but no words followed. She just stood there, taking it all in.
Lowering her pointy finger, Brianna crossed her arms over her very ample chest. “Well? Demon got your tongue for once?”
“Oh. My turn?” Denny looked beyond Brianna’s shoulder to see Rush shaking her head slowly. The fiery words Denny was about to hurl suddenly cooled off some. “I...I apologize if I read the situation incorrectly. I couldn’t stand the thought of anyone hurting you. The Hanta—”
Blood of the Demon (The Silver Legacy Book 3) Page 4