by Tina Folsom
“Are you sure they won’t be able to sense us?” She searched Hamish’s eyes. They were still sitting in the dark van that Aiden had driven with Enya in the passenger seat.
“Once we’re invisible they have no way of detecting us unless we make a sound.”
“Or if they have dogs,” Enya added with a look over her shoulder.
“Dogs?” Tessa swallowed. “Why dogs?”
“Because they’ll smell us.”
Hamish put his hand on hers. “Don’t worry, Tessa. Pearce is watching via the camera at the entrance. If he sees dogs anywhere near the area, he’ll alert us.”
She nodded, feeling reassured. “And the humans, they won’t see us either, right?”
“Right. But you’ll still be able to see us.”
“But I’m human. How can I see you, if we’re all cloaked?”
“There are different levels of cloaking. We can choose who sees us and who doesn’t.”
“Okay.”
Hamish tossed a look to the front seats. “Ready?”
Both his colleagues nodded. Then he touched his earpiece. “Sean, Jay, you in position?”
Tessa couldn’t hear the response, only Hamish’s reply a few moments later. “Good, stay there. If you see anything suspicious, alert us and move in.”
Once outside the van, Tessa looked around. The marina was of medium size. There were five fingers, or docks, with maybe three hundred boats tied up. She saw several people sitting on their boats, enjoying the afternoon sun. Others were working: cleaning the deck or making repairs. Several boats were just getting ready to leave their slip, while a couple of others were coming in from the water. She’d been to several marinas before, invited by friends, and recognized the goings-on as ordinary. Nothing and nobody seemed out of place. She just hoped she wasn’t wrong.
Hamish made hand signs, motioning everybody to follow him. Trusting that they were all cloaked and thus invisible, she followed him in silence. All four of them were wearing tennis shoes, so as to make no noise on the planks. Tessa had borrowed a pair from Leila before leaving the compound.
When they reached the end of the dock, Hamish stopped and lifted his hand, indicating that she should stay where she was. He exchanged a look with Enya and nodded, then pointed to Aiden and then Tessa. When Aiden nodded, Hamish and Enya stepped on deck of a small sailboat by the name of Jenny’s Folly.
Tessa watched them peer into the portholes, then inspect the lock. A heavy padlock hung on the door to the cabin. But it was no obstacle for Hamish. He moved forward, and Tessa saw his upper body disappear as he passed through the wood. A few seconds later, his torso and head dipped back out. He looked over his shoulder and shook his head.
No sign of Tiffany.
He and Enya moved to the next boat, while Tessa and Aiden followed. Again, Tessa remained on the dock, watching nervously as Hamish did the same as on the first boat. Damn it, had Wesley been wrong? Or had he tricked them after all?
When Hamish turned around again, and he and Enya stepped off the boat, Tessa felt a little bit of her hope fade. What if Tiffany had been here, but was gone now? After all, Wesley had scryed for her more than an hour ago. She could have left in the meantime, or the demons could have taken her somewhere else.
Silently she prayed. Let me find my sister.
Instinctively she followed Hamish and Enya to the plastic steps that stood on the slip to allow people to enter the boat. She felt Aiden’s hand on her arm, holding her back and looked over her shoulder. She nodded. She understood that she couldn’t follow them. It didn’t make the waiting any easier. She peered past Hamish at the entrance to the cabin, and noticed one thing immediately. There was no padlock, but when Hamish tried to open the door, it didn’t budge.
Locked from the inside!
Her heartbeat kicked up. This could be it. Again Hamish dipped his torso through the door, but this time he disappeared inside completely. Enya followed him a moment later. Something creaked, and Tessa noticed the boat rock a little from side to side, maybe as the result of Hamish and Enya walking around inside. Several minutes seemed to pass.
Then, another noise; hinges creaking. Tessa’s head shot in the direction of the sound. A hatch was opening on that portion of the deck that pointed out to the water. A hand reached out. Enya’s? Tessa’s legs were already moving along the slip to get a better view, when somebody suddenly gasped, and the hand disappeared back inside the boat.
Tessa tossed a look over her shoulder. Aiden had already raced up onto the deck and was passing through the door hatch like his colleagues before him. The boat rocked again from side to side, and there were muffled noises.
Oh God, no. What was happening?
The door finally opened and Aiden waved her to approach. She practically raced up the plastic steps and onto the deck. Aiden helped her into the cabin. She nearly tripped when she stepped down into the darkened interior. Little curtains had been drawn over the portholes. But her eyes adjusted, and she finally saw what was happening.
Enya was holding a struggling woman down on the bench that had been pulled out into a bed. Tessa took a few steps closer.
“Tiffany?” she murmured, exchanging a look with Hamish, who nodded.
Tessa put a hand on Enya’s shoulder. “Let go of her, Enya. She’s frightened.”
After hesitating for a second, Enya released the woman, who immediately scrambled into the corner of the bed, her legs pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped around them. Frightened eyes looked out at them. But there was no doubt who Tessa was looking at: this woman was her twin sister. And she was scared out of her wits, shaking, whimpering.
“Withdrawal symptoms,” Hamish murmured.
“Can she see us?” Tessa whispered back.
Hamish nodded.
“Step back, all of you. I’ll take care of her,” Tessa said. To her relief, the three Stealth Guardians honored her request and retreated toward the wooden ladder that led up to the entrance.
Tiffany’s frightened gaze shot to Tessa. Tessa moved closer and slid her knee onto the bed, crawling toward her sister.
“Don’t be afraid, Tiffany. I’m here to help you.”
Her twin let out a sob and chewed on her fingernails, her gaze nervously darting around the cabin, then back to Tessa. Her eyes seemed to focus, and it appeared that only now did Tiffany really see her. A gasp escaped her sister’s throat.
“No, no…” she whimpered. “No, I’m not crazy. No more.” She sobbed. “Oh God, I’m never using again… no, no, please…”
Tessa crawled closer. “Tiffany, I’m Tessa. I’m your sister. Your twin sister. I’m here to help you.”
“Sister…” she murmured as if she didn’t understand.
“Yes, your twin sister. See, we both look the same. I’ll take care of you now. You’re safe.”
Tiffany’s eyes were glued to Tessa’s face. She shook her head, but then she stretched out her hand. “My twin… my sister?”
Tessa reached for Tiffany’s hand and brought it to her own cheek. “Yes, I’m your sister, and you’ll never have to be afraid again.”
A sob tore from Tiffany’s chest, and she suddenly threw her arms around Tessa. “I’m so scared. Help me. I want to stop. Please. I want to live.”
Tessa choked back her own tears and stroked her hand over Tiffany’s hair. “I’m here for you. Everything will be fine. Nobody is gonna hurt you anymore.”
When she felt Tiffany sag against her, she looked over her shoulder and met eyes with Hamish. “We need to get her to a hospital.”
Hamish shook his head. “She’s better off in a rehab facility. They’ll get her clean, if that’s what she wants.”
Tessa nodded in agreement. “I know someone who can help us with that.”
~ ~ ~
And hour later, the van was pulling up outside a clinic. Hamish was driving. Enya and Aiden were returning to the compound and Sean and Jay to their respective assignments, after making sure no demons were in the vic
inity.
“We’re here,” Tessa murmured to Tiffany, who was clinging to her on the back bench, still shaking from the withdrawal. And most likely from fear as well.
Tiffany hadn’t said much. All Tessa had been able to get out of her was that she’d broken into the boat to find refuge after she’d woken up in an alley, not knowing how she’d gotten there.
Hamish now pointed to a person waiting on the sidewalk in front of the building. “There’s Gabriella.” He looked over his shoulder. “Are you sure about this?”
Tessa nodded. “She’s offered to help. Her center isn’t open yet because of the incident, but she sits on the board of this one. We need her. Getting a place in a good rehab facility in this city is virtually impossible. The wait lists are too long. We can’t wait. Tiffany needs help now.”
Hamish nodded. “Okay, if you trust her.”
Tessa smiled. “You said yourself that your colleagues don’t believe she’s involved in the incident at the center.”
He sighed, then switched off the engine. “I’ll help you with Tiffany.” He got out of the car and waved at Gabriella, who instantly approached.
Hamish slid the side door of the van open and reached his hand in. Tiffany instantly shrank back. “It’s okay, Tiffany, we’re at a safe place now.” He moved to the side so she could see Gabriella. “This nice lady will help us get you settled into a cozy, bright room. And your sister will be with you until you’re ready to rest a bit, okay?”
Gabriella smiled gently. “Come on, honey, it’s almost dinner time. I hear they’re serving a wonderful roast tonight. And cherry pie for dessert.” Her voice sounded like that of a fairy godmother.
Tessa gave her a grateful smile. “That sounds delicious, don’t you think, Tiffany? I’m getting hungry. Shall we go in?”
Tiffany cast her a hesitant look. Then she nodded slowly. With Gabriella’s and Hamish’s help, they got her out of the car and into the building.
Gabriella guided them down a long corridor. She walked next to Tessa and leaned in. “I never believed the news reports. I knew there had to be an explanation. I’m so glad you called me.”
Tessa smiled. “I’m so grateful that you were able to arrange this place for us on such short notice.”
She made a dismissive hand movement. “You’ve helped the center so much. This is the least I can do in return.”
Tessa squeezed Gabriella’s arm. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
She shook her head. “I’m just so surprised. I mean, I didn’t realize you had a sister, let alone an identical twin.”
“Nobody knew.” Well, nobody but her parents, the adoption agency, and apparently the demons. “I just found out myself. But now that I know, I want to make sure she gets all the care she needs.”
“Your sister will be cared for by the best professionals here, I promise you that. In a few months she’ll be a well-adjusted young woman just like yourself.”
They reached a busy nurse’s station, where they stopped. Gabriella approached the counter.
“Oh, Ms. VanSant, we got your call. I’ve set everything up. The doctor will be with you in about five minutes to examine the patient,” the nurse behind the desk said with a smile.
“Examine?” Tiffany echoed and clung to Tessa.
Gabriella turned to her with a smile. “Just so we can make sure you’re okay. You might be a little dehydrated and feverish. It won’t take long. And then you can rest and eat something.”
“It’s alright, Tiffany, I’ll stay with you,” Tessa said.
The nurse behind the counter pointed to a seating area. “Please take a seat. I’ll call you shortly.” Then she reached for a clipboard. “And I’ll need the person responsible for the patient to fill in a few forms.”
Tessa took the clipboard. “I’ll take care of that.”
As they all sat down, she suddenly felt Hamish’s hand on her arm. She met his gaze, and he pointed to a TV that hung on the wall. It was mute, but the closed captioning was switched on.
Poppy stood in front of the steps of City Hall, dressed in a chic pant suit and wearing wide-rimmed sunglasses, as she read a statement from a piece of paper. Tessa followed along by reading the captions.
“…that these allegations will be dealt with in due time. Ms. Wallace asks that you be patient as she clears up these misunderstandings. We will release a statement that will answer all your questions within the next twenty-four hours. Thank you.”
Poppy turned on her heel, ignoring the microphones that were being shoved in her face, asking for more details, and dove back into the building.
Tessa sighed and exchanged a look with Hamish.
“Everything will turn out alright now,” he said.
“I don’t know how to thank you for what you’ve done.”
There was a twinkle in his eyes. “I do,” he murmured, leaning in so only she could hear it.
She felt her face flush.
Hamish grinned. “But first, let’s take care of your sister.”
42
It was almost midnight when Hamish returned to the compound, Tessa by his side. He put his arm around her waist as they walked toward his quarters, realizing how exhausted she must be after spending the last few hours at the rehab clinic.
“You were very patient with your sister,” he praised her.
Her smile was tired, but genuine. “She needs family. I’m going to talk to my parents to ask if she can live with them after she’s out of rehab. Only until she’s back on her feet. Maybe I can find her a job, get her some training, I don’t know. Something. I want her to have a chance at a good life.”
“One thing at a time, lass. It will take a few months before she’s out of rehab. Based on what the doctor was able to get out of her, she’s been using drugs for a long time. It’s not an addiction that’s easy to kick. We need to be patient.” But he was proud of Tessa for standing by her sister’s side, supporting her. “You did good today. When Tiffany looks at you, I can see hope in her eyes. We’ll get through this.”
“We?”
He opened the door to his quarters, and they entered. “Yes, we. I’ll be here to support you in this.”
“Even though you have no obligation to do so?”
He let the door close and put his hand under her chin, tipping it up. He looked deep into her lavender-colored eyes, the ones he’d grown to love and that he would grow to love even more. “You have no obligation to take care of your sister either, yet you didn’t hesitate for even a second when you realized she needed you. I’m very proud of you.”
“She’s my flesh and blood. Finally I feel like something that’s been missing has been given back to me. She’s a part of me, even though I don’t remember her. I’ll have to get to know her again.”
Hamish ran his hand through her hair. “I know this might not be the right time to talk to you about this, but you’ll have to go public about her. And soon. Tomorrow. Or you’re handing the election to Gunn.”
Tessa sighed. “She’s so vulnerable. I don’t want to parade her in front of the press. She needs some privacy now. So she can heal. Who knows what she remembers about the demons getting to her.”
“Probably not much, which is good. There will be no need for her to ever find out about the demons.” He took a breath. “And I wish I could give you both the time you need, but the truth needs to come out while it can still make a difference. The election is in three days. We have to act before it’s too late.”
“I wish I could sit with my sister until the election is over and be there for her, rather than having to make a statement to the press.”
“Hmm.” He contemplated her words. “Maybe you won’t have to make a statement.”
She looked at him, confused. “But I thought you just said the truth has to come out before it’s too late.”
“I did. But I have an idea.”
“What idea?”
“Do you remember Meredith Durant?”
“The journalis
t who first published the picture?”
He nodded. “We’ll send her an anonymous message telling her if she really wants to get the scoop on Tessa Wallace, she’ll need to go to the rehab clinic in Bolton Hill tomorrow at eleven o’clock. She’ll be expecting to find you there as a patient. Instead you’ll be visiting your sister. I’ll make sure the staff look the other way so she can sneak in. We’ll make sure you and your twin sister are in an area where Meredith Durant can take photos without being noticed. She won’t be able to stop herself from publishing such a huge story. Think of the career boost she’ll get out of being the reporter who found out the truth about Councilwoman Wallace. Your sister won’t have to endure any questions. And you won’t have to make any statements. You’ll be the woman who was only protecting her twin sister.”
“You’re sure that’ll work?”
“Trust me. I’ve met enough journalists to know what they’re after: an exclusive. She’ll jump at the chance. By early evening tomorrow, Miss Durant will have published the story to their online edition, and the next morning, it’ll be at every newsstand. It’ll give the voters enough time before the polls open in three days to realize that you’re still their best choice for mayor.”
“And what do I do in the meantime?”
“You take care of your sister. Stay out of the public eye. Enya and I will be with you whenever you leave the compound to visit your sister. And come Election Day, it’ll be too late for Gunn or the demons to do anything else.” And once they realized they’d lost, the demons would focus their attention on an easier target. While the danger would never truly be over, Hamish would always be by Tessa’s side. Zoltan would have to realize that and direct his energy toward more attainable goals.
Finally, Tessa nodded. “Okay, we’ll do it your way. Tomorrow.”
He kissed her, knowing it was the best solution.
~ ~ ~
Everything had played out exactly how he’d planned it.
They’d returned to the compound after a long visit with Tiffany, who was still suffering from withdrawal symptoms. She’d been complaining about severe cramps and nausea, and had even thrown up while Tessa comforted her. Hamish had watched from a distance how Tiffany’s lithe body was wracked by fevers and chills, how muscle spasms made her movements unpredictable. But he also saw Tessa’s compassion in action. She walked the walk. If she treated her constituents the same way as her sister, this city would be in good hands once she became mayor.