by W. J. May
Rae’s face fell as the dilemma circled back to the forefront of her mind. They not only needed to find Jenn, but they needed to find the files she stole from Luke. They might hold the key to finally tracking down the bastard who did all this.
“Well, Jenn has a flat in the city,” Julian volunteered.
Molly and Rae turned to him curiously, but Devon looked over with a sudden smile. “That’s right! I’d forgotten all about that place.”
“They wouldn’t have searched it—”
“—they don’t even know it exists.”
The boys finished each other’s sentences with cocky grins, and then just stood there until Molly finally stamped her foot. “Anybody want to clue me in as to what’s going on?”
“Jennifer had a secret flat in the city,” Devon explained, now moving to the door with a determined sense of purpose. “Kind of like a safe house. A place no one knew about where she could lay low if a mission ever went bad.”
Rae raised her eyebrows dangerously. “And how do you two know about it?”
The boys shared quick looks.
“She took us there once or twice when we were working together,” Julian shrugged innocently. “Nothing happened—we just needed a safe spot to kill a few hours on a mission.”
“Uh-huh,” Molly said with a grin.
But the information had lit the adrenaline in Rae’s veins. They might catch a break. Finally, they had something that might give them the edge they needed. “That’s perfect!” she exclaimed. “So, after dinner tonight?”
Devon smiled but shook his head. “It’ll have to be early tomorrow morning. We’ll need to take a little road trip.”
“Where is this safe place?” Molly crossed her arms over her chest.
Julian and Devon grinned and said at the same time, “London.”
Chapter 4
What exactly was a girl supposed to wear to her first-ever family reunion? Rae switched from one outfit, to another, to another, until she finally called Molly in a panic. She was close to tears.
“What? What’s the matter?” Molly answered in a rush. “Are you hurt? Is somebody in there with you? I’m coming! What kind of voltage should I be using? It’s not Carter, is it?! I always knew that guy was a sneaky little snake! Just stay calm Rae—I’ll be there in a flash!”
“…need your help picking out a dress,” Rae finished the sentence she’d barely started. However, the line had already gone dead. Fortunately, Rae had the good sense to duck and protect her computer, when Molly burst through the door a second later in a wave of electricity.
“Where is he?” Molly exclaimed, smoke still curling from her fingers as she searched the room. “Did I get him?”
“No, but you fried my curling iron,” Rae said in dismay, holding up the smoldering remains.
Far from being apologetic, Molly looked confused. “Why did you call then? What’s the trouble?”
“The trouble is that I don’t know what I’m supposed to be wearing.” Rae gestured helplessly to her closet. “Are pants to informal? Like I’m not taking it seriously? But then, is a dress too formal? Like we can’t have casual family dinners because it’s always going to be an occasion. You know, what with the brainwashing and devastating fire and all?”
Molly’s eyes travelled slowly from the smoking closet back to her friend. “You’re going to see your mother and uncle together for the first time in over a decade, and you’re worried about what you’re going to wear?”
Rae nodded and a happy tear slipped down her friend’s face.
“Oh Rae,” she beamed, “it’s like we’re finally on the same page!”
Forty minutes later, Molly and Rae knocked tentatively on the door to a little cottage in an unfamiliar part of campus—the faculty quarters. Both of them were wearing skirts. The door burst open a second later and Beth pulled them inside.
“Oh girls!” She gave each of them a tight hug. “I’m so glad we decided to do this tonight. My captor over here,” she cast a look back inside the house and Rae was surprised to see Carter sitting on a recliner in the parlor, “decided it was too dangerous for me to go to the airport to get Argyle, so I haven’t seen him yet. He’s due here any minute!”
Hearing his name, Carter got up from the chair and wandered over. “I told you Beth, it just wasn’t worth the risk.” He smiled at her fondly before turning to greet the girls, his face no longer readable. “Miss Kerrigan. Miss Skye. How’s the studying coming along?”
“Uh…it’s fine.” Rae glanced uneasily between him and her mother, wondering why in the world he was hovering about in Beth’s house.
Molly swept in to the rescue, as tactful as ever. “What exactly are you doing here, sir? I thought this was supposed to be a family dinner.”
Carter looked at her incredulously, but it apparently hadn’t occurred to Molly for even one instant that she didn’t technically fall into that category herself. Looking faintly amused, he picked up his coat and headed for the door. “Beth and I were just talking, but I’m on my way out now. I’ll leave you three to it. Enjoy your time together. Tell Argyle I said hello.”
Just as he reached the door, there was a knock on it. He opened it and Devon and Julian walked inside. Carter glanced from the boys to Molly, before his eyes came to rest a little accusingly on Rae.
“I can see it’s not exactly a strict guest list. I thought we agreed to take things easy with Beth.”
“Why don’t you stay, James?” Beth asked kindly, oblivious to the sudden tension.
But at the same time, Rae called, “Have a good night, sir.”
“I appreciate the offer, Beth, but I think your daughter would like some time with you. I’m sure Argyle is a nervous wreck as he has no idea what’s all going on. Not exactly phone conversation. I will see you again tomorrow.” Carter flashed Rae an exasperated look before waving goodbye and sweeping out the door.
“What?” Rae asked innocently when Beth stared at her. “Did you ever think maybe it’s a little uncomfortable for me to have dinner with the headmaster of the school who just happens to be my boss?”
“Uh-huh,” Beth said doubtfully, her eyes twinkling.
“It’s also uncomfortable how he makes googly eyes at you, and he smiles all the time.”
Beth touched her hair. “He does? I hadn’t noticed. I’ve been too busy watching Devon make googly eyes at you.”
“Mom!” Rae’s face burned. “Tatùs don’t date!”
Devon frowned from where he stood behind Beth.
“I mean the older ones, like you or Carter. It’s strictly… forbidden!”
“Really?” Beth’s eyebrows went up. “I’m still working on my memory and James isn’t interested. He has a very serious job. He’s just pleased I’m all right. That’s it, Rae. You don’t need to worry.”
A knock on the door ended the conversation.
“That has to be him,” Beth’s voice fell to a whisper, “everyone else is here.”
Rae shoved her forward with a little smile. “Go answer it, mom. He’s dying to see you.”
After smoothing down her blouse, Beth took a deep breath and pulled open the door. All the color drained from Argyle’s face the moment he saw her, and for a split second, both adults just stood frozen and stared. Rae could practically hear their hearts pounding away in their chests, until Argyle finally gathered himself enough to say, “B-Bethany?”
Then they came together.
The four teenagers looked politely away as the siblings embraced for the first time in over a decade. Both had tears in their eyes, and both seemed incredibly reluctant to let go, as if worried that if they did, they might wake up and none of this would be real.
When they finally pulled back, Argyle took Beth by the shoulders, looking her up and down before saying in a hesitant voice, “Beth, my name is Argyle. I’m your, well, I’m your brother.”
The emotional silence that followed was shattered by Beth’s ringing laughter. “I’m pretty clear on that, thank
s. But thanks for the re-introduction.”
Argyle stepped back in shock. “You…you remember me? You got your memory back?”
Beth beamed at Rae proudly. “Actually, my daughter got it back for me. Just one of her many new talents. It’s not all there, but the past is, and I’m piecing together the rest of the missing pieces.”
“Is that right?” Argyle looked curiously at Beth before his eyes flickered over to Rae.
Rae smiled at him expectantly, but she could have sworn the faintest shadow crossed his face before he smiled back. She went over to him and hugged him as well. “It’s good to see you Uncle Argyle.”
“You too, lass.” He smiled and stepped back to see her. “You’ve grown. You look more like your mother every day. Aunt Linda’s sent cookies along and she misses you.”
“Chocolate chip?”
He smiled. “Aye! Of course!” He leaned in and said in a lower tone, “Yer not givin’ the teachers here a hard time are ya? We got a call ta say you’ve been pulled back to do yer exams. Probation too. At Guilder?” He set his mouth in a stern fatherly line. “Change can come in many forms in our lives. It might come forcefully like a tidal wave, or creep along incrementally like a glacier. It might come in the form of devastating tragedy, difficult choices, broken relationships, or even through new opportunities. I hope it’s all working out right for you, sweetie. I really hope so.”
Rae smiled. “More proverbs of truth? I haven’t had one in a long time and I’m glad you’re here.” She hugged him again. “Thanks so much for taking care of me all these years, Uncle Argyle. I should have said it more often.”
He stared at her, his eyes welling up before he suddenly cleared his throat and straightened. “Enough of this mush! Let’s celebrate these new opportunities. I’m sorry I can’t stay for the graduation, but Aunt Linda doesn’t like being on her own too long these days.”
Beth gestured them to the table. “Come, let’s enjoy our time together. I have wine. Big kids can have a glass too.”
The first half of the dinner conversation was almost exclusively between Beth and Argyle. Not that the kids could blame them. Actually, Rae and her friends had the time of their lives sipping wine and watching the emotional reunion, their heads whipping back and forth like a tennis match. Stories were told, memories were exchanged. At one point, Beth—eager to show off her new power—lit her entire body aflame for the entertainment of the table.
Molly, Devon, and Argyle all leapt back in surprise, but Julian just smiled at Rae as they watched Beth proudly douse the flames.
“Someone’s feeling pretty lucky…” Rae murmured with a conspiratorial grin.
Julian blushed. “I drew it happening beforehand. Best to come to these things prepared.”
Rae giggled and Devon reached over and squeezed her hand under the table. “What’s so funny?” He shot her an indulgent grin. “You laughing because your boyfriend’s not fireproof like you?” He said the words so softly that only she could hear, but she still stiffened nervously and pulled her hand away under the pretense of pouring herself another glass of wine. She hadn’t even finished the first one yet.
Her uncle’s eyes followed every movement, but he held his tongue until—
“So, Rae, we’re coming up on your big graduation. Have you decided who you’re bringing along as your date?”
Rae felt her face burn beet red, and for a moment, she wondered if her uncle had powers after all. “Um…I hadn’t quite decided yet.” She didn’t have the courage to look at Devon and the table grew suddenly quiet.
“Because I’d love to come along as a plus one. See you walk across the stage. I had hoped to come regardless.”
Rae’s eyes flickered without her permission to Devon, who was frozen with his wine halfway to his lips before she gulped and looked down at her plate. “Um, yeah of course. I mean, if you’re still in England. I thought you’d be flying back to New York.”
Argyle’s gaze fixed on Devon, who promptly drained the rest of his wine, keeping his eyes locked on the wall. “I’ll fly back,” he continued. “I tentatively booked the flight at the start of the school year. I think it’s important to do these things right.” He stressed the last words in a way that made Rae bite the inside of her cheek and Devon reach discreetly for the bottle.
“Argyle,” Beth chided, “leave the girl alone. I’m sure she doesn’t want to bring her uncle to her graduation. She’s a kid. Let her go out and have fun.”
Argyle surveyed his sister carefully before his lips thinned into a hard line. “Beth, I know you’ve been gone for a while, but surely you, more than anyone, know the danger of romantically involving yourself with another tatù.”
There was not a sound at the little table. The entire room had gone still.
“Rae wasn’t raised around these rules, but you were.” Argyle spoke now to Devon, forcing him to maintain eye contact with the older man. “You should know better. If you really cared about her you would—”
“Sir, I’m sorry,” Devon’s face had paled but he struggled to keep his voice steady, “I really don’t have any idea what—”
“Don’t play that game with me, Mr. Wardell.” Argyle didn’t raise his voice when he got angry, instead, it lowered to a deadly calm. “I’ve raised Rae since she was just a child. And I’ll be damned if she throws what little chance she already has away on some—”
“You may have raised her,” Beth countered sharply, “but I’m her mother. If these two have genuine feelings for each other, then I see no reason to—”
“What did you mean by that?” Rae asked suddenly, directing Argyle’s attention to her. “What little chance I already have. What does that even mean?”
Molly, Julian, and Devon kept their eyes fixed on the table, but Argyle regarded her calmly.
“You’re a Kerrigan.” His voice held no blame, just resignation. “In the eyes of this community, the odds are always going to be stacked against you. You, more than anyone, must follow its rules to the letter. The fact that you already have a potentially dangerous tatù—”
“Potentially dangerous tatù?” Rae’s eyebrows shot up and she leaned towards her uncle.
“Please, Rae.” He scoffed. “Between what I heard from the agents on the way back from the airport and what I’ve seen here myself, you’re careening headfirst down a dangerous road and I’ll be damned if I’m not going to do what I can to stop it. It’s my job.”
Rae’s breathing had gone very shallow. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Couldn’t believe the words coming out of her own uncle’s mouth. Even now, she could tell they were said out of love, familial concern, but how could he say them? She couldn’t change who she was! “A dangerous road, huh?” she asked softly, her voice lowering as much as his.
“Rae, think about how this looks.” He bypassed Beth and spoke directly to her. “You have the same ability as your father—which was already one of the greatest the PC had ever seen—except yours is already even more powerful. Now, on top of that, you’re clearly smitten with this boy who has his own tatù.” Argyle’s face looked pained. “In the eyes of our world, you’re starting down the exact path as Simon Kerrigan!”
“I am nothing like my father!” Rae spat. “I can’t believe you would even say that!”
Argyle held up his hands. “You don’t have to prove it to me, my dear Rae. I know it with all my heart. But this is the world that you’re living in now, Rae. I was Simon’s best friend. I believed in him, thought he was a good guy. He stole my sister, broke her heart, hurt you and for what?” Argyle tossed his napkin on the table. “He made us think Beth was dead! You don’t think this boy here won’t do the same? That he’s sweet now and he’ll never change? Never hurt you? You need to listen to me and follow—”
“No, you need to listen!” Rae pushed back her chair and stood up from the table. “Did you ever think that maybe it’s a good thing how strong my tatù is, seeing how ever since I got into this world, people have been tryi
ng to kill me? Did you ever think for even a second, that it’s natural I would get attached to the one person who’s been there with me through it all—constantly risking his life to save mine?”
Argyle grew quiet, though he looked at Devon with less disdain and maybe an ounce or two of respect.
Rae wasn’t finished. This was a conversation that should have been had a long time ago. “I came from two people with tatùs! How can you expect me to—”
“To what, Rae? Your mother believed Simon was good. So did I. I think Simon did as well. He believed his theories and tested limits. I see you doing the same,” Argyle stressed. “Your mother was smitten with the man, but she didn’t…” His voice trailed off.
“Love him?”
Both Rae and Argyle turned to the end of the table as Beth got slowly to her feet. She looked at Argyle and shook her head. “Is that what you were going to say, Argyle?” she asked quietly. “That I didn’t love him? Because I did.”
Argyle’s face flushed, but he seemed incapable of speech. He grabbed his napkin and balled it up with his fist as he stared wordlessly at his sister.
“I didn’t marry Simon for work, I did it for love.” She turned to Rae. “And loving him, for however brief a time, gave me the greatest gift I could ever ask for.” Her eyes hardened and returned to her brother. “How dare you chastise my daughter for falling in love. As if it’s something that can be helped. As if it’s something in our power to control!”
Argyle’s expression grew mild in the face of her anger. “I’m only voicing my concerns. I love Rae. And now not only is there this relationship, but there’s her tatù—”
“Her tatù saved my life! It got me my memory back!” Beth cried. “It brought me back to my family, Argyle, and revealed the traitor in our midst. You can’t possibly begrudge her for that. If you need to place blame, place it where it belongs. It was Jennifer, not Rae, who—”