“My son doesn’t know as much as he prides himself in knowing.”
Cael stood rigid, his eyes wide as he gaped in disbelief at his mother.
“Come, sit, we have so many things to discuss.” Siana led Addie to a brown leather sofa, sat next to her, and motioned for Cael to take the chair across from them.
Siana was gorgeous. She didn’t look a day over forty, but Addie knew she had to be if she was Bart’s twin sister. Besides, Cael was thirty and clearly, Siana hadn’t given birth to him when she was ten years old.
A large shadow loomed over the glass coffee table, catching Addie's eye and she glanced up to see a tall thin man wearing a black suit. His stiff posture seemed to enhance his already inconceivable height. He seemed a bit creepy, similar to the character Lurch from the Addams Family. In fact, this whole experience was creepy and her skin crawled with goose bumps. Then she remembered what Cael had said about minding what she was thinking while in his mother’s presence and she turned her thoughts to her own mother again.
“Benjamin, please bring us some tea,” Siana said.
“Right away. Good to see you, Cael.”
“Good to see you, too, Ben.”
“Miss.” Ben nodded toward Addie before leaving the room to fetch the tea.
Cael looked just as befuddled and uncomfortable as she did by his mother’s disclosure.
“Your mother and I were friends, Addison. We went to college together. In fact, I introduced her to your father—I’d known him my whole life.”
“You never told me you knew her mother and when I told you I discovered Addison, you acted surprised,” Cael said.
“I’m sorry, Cael, no one was to know about Addison.” Siana looked at Cael then squared her shoulders and turned to Addie. “You see, dear, Genevieve, your mother, died giving birth to you. Well, not exactly you … she died giving birth to your twin brother.”
“My twin brother? I don’t understand.”
“I’m sorry you never knew. It was all for your protection and a promise your father and I made to your mother. Your mother gave birth to you first. You were a beautiful baby.” Siana smiled.
“When Genevieve held you ... well, she was so happy, so proud.” Siana spoke softly, and her eyes glazed over remembering the event.
“You were there?” Addie asked.
“Yes, I was. Your mother and I were very close and she wanted me there, just as she was there when Cael was born. Your father was away at the time she went into labor. He tried to hurry back, and I wanted to go get him and bring him, but your mother wouldn’t let me leave her side. While she was working hard at delivering your brother, something went terribly wrong; the doctors tried everything. Your brother’s heart rate dropped and he died shortly after he was born. Then there were other complications after the deliveries. They rushed Genevieve into surgery, but she had lost too much blood. They tried to save her. Your father never forgave himself for not being there in time to save her and your brother.”
“So, my brother and my mother died because of me?”
“No, no, please don’t ever think that. Your father wouldn’t want you to feel that way.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“He couldn’t, he felt guilty. He thought you would blame him. It was very difficult for him. Addison, look at me. It was not his fault, it was not your fault, and your mother wouldn’t want you to believe it was. I know this is hard for you. They let me bring you to her just before she died. Your little face was the last thing she saw.”
Addie wiped at the tear that fell down her cheek and Cael handed her a tissue. “I’m sorry, Addison, I didn’t know.”
Siana glanced at Cael. “No, you didn’t. Addison, your mother was my dearest friend and before she passed, she made me promise. She feared for your life even then. She knew something ... she didn’t have an ability, but somehow she knew your life would be in danger. It didn’t take much to convince your father; he loved your mother and knew she feared having a girl. I couldn’t tell anyone, not even after Ristéard’s death. I knew there was the possibility of Cael finding you when he told me his plans to head to Oregon in pursuit of Eidolon. In fact, I had hoped he would find you before Eidolon did, but I also felt it necessary to keep my promise to your mother and keep your existence a secret unless revealing it was absolutely necessary. It’s been very difficult all these years.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this when I told you I found her? Why did you continue the charade?” Cael scowled at his mother, crossing his arms over his chest.
After ducking under the doorway, Ben entered the room carrying a tray with the tea and a few cookies. He strolled to the table, set the tray down without saying a word, and then left them to their tea.
“I was afraid if I told you, you would tell her everything before she was ready to accept it. You didn’t know all the details, and it wasn’t your responsibility.”
She took Addie’s hands in hers. “I’m sorry. I’ve kept this secret for so long. I loved Genevieve. We were sisters, spiritually speaking. When she died …,” Siana’s voice broke and she dabbed a tissue at the tears in eyes, “a part of me died with her, and there’s not a day that goes by I don’t miss her. I’ve known your father since we were children. It was their secret—I was only honoring their wishes.”
“And now? Why tell me now?”
“I believe you deserve the truth and that you're old enough to handle it.”
“What was his name, my brother?”
“His name was Keelan.”
“Keelan,” Addie whispered. She stood, smoothing her skirt as she walked over to the window, not sure if she was angry or hurt by what her parents had done.
Staring out the window, Addie saw two transparent figures, a man and a woman. She recognized them immediately as her mother and father. They stood with their arms around each other, smiling up at her as if they were trying to reassure her everything was okay.
She wanted to scream at them, tell them what they’d done was wrong.
“Don’t you know what you made me give up? Don’t you know? Don’t just stand out there looking up at me! My whole life has been a lie! Why couldn’t you have told me? I would have understood—why couldn’t you trust me? Why did you keep this from me?” She banged her fists against the glass until Cael came up behind her, grabbing her hands.
Turning, Addie fell against him. “Why are they standing out there smiling up at me? Don’t they know they’ve hurt me?”
“I’m sure they know, Addison, I’m sure they know.”
Addie stepped back, pushing Cael away, and looked out the window. Her parents still stood below. She blinked, hoping the image would go away but it stayed.
“Do you see them standing down there?”
“No, I don’t, but I believe you do.”
She turned and noticed Siana had left the room. She looked at Cael again—he was frowning at her and she knew he was trying to sense her thoughts. Her eyes burned with rage and the headache behind them throbbed through her skull.
“You think I’m crazy, don’t you? You believe I see them, but you know they’re not really there.”
“No, I don’t think you’re crazy, and I really believe you see them. Honey, you have many abilities and I believe this is another one.”
A tetchy laugh escaped from her throat. “What, now I see dead people? Don’t patronize me, don't you dare patronize me!”
“I’m not ... I know you see them.”
He took her hand and pulled her over to the sofa to sit, poured some tea and handed her a cup. “Drink some, it’s soothing.”
She took a sip, then another. It was rich and smooth, tasting of peaches and honey, and some spice she couldn’t identify. Her body relaxed into a state of complete tranquility, her muscles numbing, her bones floating within her limbs. She didn’t feel drugged, just very calm, and she took another sip.
“It’s an old family recipe. Nice, huh?” Cael said.
Addie nodded and sipp
ed again.
Cael took a sip of his tea and set it down. “I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told anyone before. One day I walked in on your dad as he was having a conversation with someone I couldn’t see. When I asked him about it, he said I wouldn’t believe him but he was talking to Genevieve, his wife, and that he often spoke to her whenever he was upset or sad. Now I knew Ristéard to be a sensible man, but I started to question his sanity on this one and asked him if he saw other deceased people. To my surprise, he said yes, but only one other. Only the ones he loved unconditionally. He said anyone could do it if the love had been strong enough in life and they knew how to tap into the dead person’s soul.”
Addie drank her tea as Cael picked up his cup again. His cheeks flushed red after he sipped and reaching up to touch his face, and then her own, she wondered if her face had reddened, as well.
“Yes, yours are rosy, too. Don’t worry; it goes away in a couple of minutes. Your father said he would teach me, but if I hadn’t loved anyone who had died, it probably wouldn’t work, and of course, it didn’t. I didn’t think Ristéard was crazy, and I don’t think you’re crazy.”
“So, it wasn't just a dream yesterday. I really did see him.”
“Yes, most likely. Look, there are going to be many things you see today, things you never thought possible. I didn’t bring you here to make you sad or angry and I’m sorry if that’s how you feel. I brought you here to help you understand more about what’s happening to you, so you won’t be afraid anymore.”
With the soothing tea, the puffy weight behind her eyes and the throb in her skull vanished.
“I’m not afraid and I’m not angry ... anymore. And I’m definitely not sad. But if you knew my mother was dead, why did you ask me about her?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t sure that Genevieve was your mother; I thought maybe Ristéard remarried, secretly. I mean, you were a secret. It made sense at the time.”
She reached out to touch his hand. His skin felt velvety to her touch—as hers did when she brushed her fingers over the back of her hand—like the way her tongue felt when she rubbed it along the inside of her cheek. She finished the last of her tea and set the cup down. “I’m going to want this recipe.”
“I'll be sure to get it for you.” Cael grinned.
“Did my dad say who the other person was?”
“No, and I didn’t ask. If he had wanted me to know, he would have told me. But I think we can guess now who it was.”
“Keelan.”
“That would be my guess. Keelan, 'little companion.' There’s a plaque downstairs dedicated to Keelan. I never knew who he was until today. Are you feeling any better?”
“Yes, actually, I am. This tea is lovely.”
“Come with me, I’ll take you on a tour.” He stood with his hand outstretched for hers.
Addie stopped and put her hand over her mouth. “Oh God, your mother, I should apologize to her for the way I acted.”
Cael frowned. “She just revealed a tragic secret about your mother and a twin brother you knew nothing about, and you want to apologize to her? No, she should apologize to you.”
“She was just honoring my mother’s wishes. You can hardly fault her for that.”
He sighed. “I think you’re being too easy on her, but it’s your choice.”
Cael led Addie down a short corridor, stopping at the end before pushing a button on the wall.
“An elevator?” Addie asked with surprise.
“Would you rather take the stairs?”
“No ... I just thought ... well, I didn’t think you needed an elevator.”
“We could teleport, but I thought it would be better for you to see how to get around here without my help.”
“Ah. Good plan.”
“Listen, before we go any further, what you’re about to see ... these people ... well, they are here for various reasons. Some help run the facilities and others because at certain times they don’t fit in the outside world. I’m not sure who is here right now, but they don’t want or need your pity.”
“I understand.”
Chapter 27
The elevator doors opened and Addie and Cael started to step inside when Siana appeared beside them.
“Addison, I’m sorry I had to be the one to tell you everything. I wish things could have been different for you, dear.”
“Thank you and I’m sorry for the childish way I reacted. It’s comforting to know my mother had such a wonderful friend.”
Siana held out both her hands and Addie took them in hers.
“If you’d like to know more about her I’d be happy to tell you sometime. I have some fascinating stories about her college years.”
“I’d like that, thank you.”
“Maybe you should stay here until you learn more, just to be safe. You can take one of the spare apartments on the lower level. Eidolon would never come here.”
Addie looked at Cael, then at his mother. “No ... no. I can’t ... I can’t walk out on my life. I have to work. I can’t take off whenever I feel like it. Gerry and Maia would never understand why I wasn’t there.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind, the offer still stands. This is your home also,” Siana said.
“Thank you,” Addie said, trying—with some difficulty—to accept the idea.
They stepped into the elevator and Addie was amazed to discover the building had two more stories below. The next level down looked like a beautiful hotel hallway, with plush carpet and doors to rooms on both sides.
“Each room is a studio apartment with a full kitchen, bath, and living room/bedroom, similar to your own apartment,” Cael explained. “I believe at present there are only three people living here. One of them would be the notorious Benjamin you met upstairs. He has the ability to stretch his body to the span of twenty feet from head to toe.”
“That’s funny. He reminds me of Lurch—you know the tall character from the Addams Family. Oh, God, I’m sorry. That was rude.”
“No worries. You’re right, he does, and he'd be the first to admit it.”
They stopped in front of one of the doors and Cael knocked. The door opened and a woman appeared. Addie took a step back, in awe of her silver-haired beauty and eyes so green, they made Addie think of emeralds.
“Cael, what a wonderful surprise. How nice to see you.”
“Mary, hi, I’d like you to meet Addison MacKenna, Ristéard’s daughter. Addison this is Mary Daniels.”
“Yes, I heard you’d be visiting. So sorry for your loss,” Mary added sympathetically.
“Thanks,” Addie managed.
“Mary can change her appearance with a blink of her eyes. She can change her facial structure, the shape of her nose, her eyes, and her hair. Would you mind demonstrating for us?”
“My pleasure.”
The emerald in Mary's eyes turned a deep blue as her hair grew, cascading golden brown curls down to the floor. She touched her finger to her nose before it changed from short and straight to turned up and narrow.
“Wow, bet you save a lot of money on haircuts.”
Mary laughed. “Yes, I must confess though, when I’m not feeling well, I can’t control how I appear, so I spend those days here. I’ve just recovered from a head cold and will be leaving today to return home to Maine.”
“Well, glad we got to see you before you left,” Cael said.
“Enjoy your visit.”
Cael guided Addie down the hall toward a man just leaving his apartment. “Razzle Dazzle, my man. I’d like you to meet Addison MacKenna. Addison, this is Razvan Sakolov.” A tall handsome man with dark hair reached out and took Addie’s hand.
“It’s a pleasure. Such a tragedy about your father, my condolences,” Razvan said with a thick Russian accent as he pulled her hand to his lips.
“Raz, since you have the ability to create a virtual environment, I was hoping you’d show Addison how it works.”
“Ah, yes, well then, how’s this.�
� Within seconds, he had both Addie and Cael not only visualizing, but also feeling as though they were on a sailboat in the middle of the ocean.
“This is so unbelievable! It really feels authentic.” Addie clutched on to Cael as the sea breeze stung her cheeks with sprays of salt water. The next moment they were standing back in the hallway with Raz.
“Thanks, Raz.”
“Anytime. It was my pleasure.”
“We’ll see you later.” Cael nudged Addie down the hallway. “There are six separate apartments on this level and they’re available to anyone at any given time. Most everyone has his or her own house and leads relatively normal lives, but every now and then, someone needs a reprieve from the real world.”
They took the elevator down to the third level. The ground level, or as Cael called it “the cave,” housed a laboratory full of computers and medical equipment. “This is where we come when we're sick. This is also where I brought the samples I found the other day.”
A young man with fire-red hair that hung down in ringlets over his ears, stood at a counter staring at a computer. He glanced up as they entered.
“Red, I'd like you to meet Addison MacKenna. Addison, this is Red or Dr. Flynn. He can heat objects with his touch.”
“Nice to meet you, Addison. Welcome. If you ever need help or feel sick, please feel free to come see me. I helped your father many times.”
“Thanks, good to know.”
Down the hall from the medical facilities, they entered a huge room different from all the others. Addie scanned the room. It appeared to be a gymnasium. There were various types of weight machines, and several thick mats stacked against one wall. A gigantic mirror completely covered another wall, and a wooden cabinet with glass doors hung just opposite, sporting a row of swords in many shapes and sizes. Kitty-cornered to the wall with the swords was a built-in floor-to-ceiling bookshelf housing large books that looked ancient to Addie, similar to some of the books she remembered seeing in her father’s study.
“Jeez, Cael, this place is huge. This is where you trained with my father?”
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