by Gloria Craw
“This is all freaking insane,” Theron muttered.
“Trust me,” my mother said, extending her arms for Linton.
Theron took a leap of faith and stepped into the bubble. His skin took on the same bright glow as ours. He laid Linton across my mother’s arms, but I couldn’t let her take him. The little boy hadn’t lived yet.
“You can’t,” I said.
My mother shook her head. “This is for the best.”
“Not for him, it isn’t. He didn’t ask to be made half human, and he shouldn’t have to go before he’s lived some kind of life.”
“I think I agree with her,” Theron said quietly. “The little guy is different, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t get a chance. We don’t know that he’ll turn out like Sebastian. With the right kind of upbringing, maybe he won’t. Alison and I can figure something out. We’ll make sure he has a fighting chance at a normal life.”
My mom sighed. “You need to be realistic. What kind of life could you offer him? You’re hardly more than children yourselves. This boy isn’t well. His mind and his body have been damaged. He has less than a year to live and probably a painful death at the end of it. Do you want that for him?”
I really didn’t. “You’ll take care of him?” I asked.
“I promise.”
“Okay,” I agreed.
Beside me, Theron nodded, too.
“The portal is closing,” my mother said, turning to look deeply in my eyes. “You are the Laurel clan chief. You may see that as insignificant, since you’re the only one left. But we still exist, Alison, and our future is tied to yours. Destiny hasn’t decided everything. Fight for what is right. Do it for your clan.”
She turned to Theron. “You found each other. That’s important. Two conduits working together can be powerful. Learn to use the energy inside you, Theron. Someday, you will have to hold a portal by yourself.”
With that, the light around us started to dim and we were alone in the living room again.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Theron’s shoulders slumped. He ran a hand over his eyes, and asked, “You’ve been through that before?”
“Yes. It was a bit different this time.”
He was still in the disbelief stage and in a shaky voice said, “I need to sit down.”
He didn’t get to, because a car came speeding up the road through the trees and into the clearing. Snow flew in all directions when the vehicle braked in front of the cabin. Ian bounded out and came running up the steps. Theron opened the door just in time for him to rush in.
“Are you all right?” he asked, grabbing me up so my feet dangled above the floor.
“I’m okay,” I whispered.
It was partly true. Physically, I was whole. The pain that had been under my bruises and cuts was gone. Emotionally, I was a mess. I’d been beaten, seen three people die violent deaths, and then witnessed my mother cross over from the dead. It was going to take some time to get my head around all of that.
He put me down, looked me over, and pointed to the blood on my sleeve where I’d tucked the towel to keep it in place. “What happened there?” he asked.
“Don’t worry,” I answered. “The blood isn’t mine.”
The shirt under my parka had started to dry and was itchy. Without thinking it through, I unzipped it to scratch my collarbone.
He froze when he saw the dried blood down my chest. “And that?” he asked.
I didn’t want to tell him I’d been beaten badly enough to leave me covered in gore. He’d want to know why I’d healed so quickly, and I wasn’t going to explain the portal and bubble of light thing to him. I trusted Ian, but I didn’t trust his parents. He wouldn’t tell them intentionally, but something might slip out if he knew.
“Three people died tonight,” I reminded him. “It was a bloodbath. Don’t look so surprised.”
He knew I was holding back, and the silence between us got awkward.
“Who’s hungry?” Theron asked.
“Not me,” I said. “I need to shower and change. You and Ian can eat, though.”
I felt the guys’ eyes on my back as I walked out of the room.
When I’d showered and dried my hair, I called home.
My dad answered this time.
“Hey, Dad. How was the Tofurky?”
“It tasted like rubber coated in gravy. Alex and I have been eating at the country club as often as possible.”
I smiled, just glad to hear his voice. “Good idea. Has Mom found your snacks under my bed?”
“No, but the dog did. He ate everything. Didn’t even leave crumbs.”
I heard him yawn. “Long day?” I asked.
“A long night, actually. One of my patients ended up in the emergency room last night. I went in to consult and stayed until ten this morning. I’m getting too old to run the practice on my own. I’m thinking of asking the guy who just moved in down the street if he wants to buy in.”
“He’s a surgeon, too?”
“According to his bio, he’s a very good one.”
I hoped it was Spencer’s cousin he was talking about.
Dad yawned again.
“I’ll let you go. When I get back, I’ll help you find a new hiding place for snacks.”
“Glad to have you on my side, sweetheart. You’ve been missed.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Mom said she’s making lasagna.”
“Heaven help us,” he replied.
I felt a little better about life after that, but I was still exhausted. I had some free time before I needed to drive back to the awful, horrible, grotesque lodge that would probably haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. Deciding talking to the guys could wait, I got back into bed and pulled the covers over my head.
The sun had gone down when I opened my eyes. Though he hadn’t knocked, I felt Ian at my door.
“You can come in,” I said.
He opened the door and peeked in.
“Don’t worry, you didn’t wake me up.”
He came and sat on the bed next to me. He smiled a little and then I noticed his posture was sort of defensive, like he expected to get slapped or something. The worry line by his eyebrow was deeper than normal, too. I wanted to rub it away.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“You’re keeping something from me again. Tell me what happened up there.”
I’d hurt him and didn’t want to make it worse by lying to him. Still, I wasn’t ready to talk about the halflings or the portal. “I am keeping something from you,” I admitted, “but it’s not because I don’t trust you. I just need some time to…process all that happened today.”
“You’re scaring me,” he said. “It must be something big.”
“It’s…complicated, but I’m not in danger. Just give me time.”
He nodded, but his posture continued to be defensive. I thought I understood why. We’d disagreed on our chances of being together, and he didn’t know where the boundaries between us were anymore. It was like he worried I’d send him away. He was afraid of it. I’d never seen him like that. Not even when he fought Sebastian. He’d come to see me, knowing I might not like it and I might ask him to leave. He cared deeply enough to risk my refusal over and over until I finally gave us a chance.
“Are you cold?” I asked.
“Yes, does it ever warm up in this room?”
“Not much.”
I lifted the edge of the covers so he could get in. Seeing how relieved he looked made me laugh.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, pulling me into his arms.
I laid my head on his chest. “Change. Sometimes change is funny.”
“What’s going to change?” he asked.
“A lot of things. I’m going to start asking questions about our kind. I’m going to insist on being more involved with the clan chiefs. I’m going to get a better idea of what the future holds for me and I’m going to start planning for it.”
“Those are all good th
ings.”
“You’re a good thing,” I replied.
Ian had fallen asleep when Theron knocked on my door. I was careful not to wake him as I got up and went into the hallway.
“We should talk,” Theron whispered.
He had a hot drink waiting in the kitchen. I sat at the table and blew on the surface to cool it.
“How bad did it get up there?” he asked. “There was too much blood on your shirt to have been just from your fingers.”
“I thought he was going to kill me,” I admitted.
He put his head in his hands. “I let you down,” he said. “I was supposed to keep you safe.”
“I sneaked away without telling you. It wasn’t your fault.”
“I should have buried the keys to the Land Rover before I left for Frank’s place.”
“Everything has worked out so far. Just let it go,” I said, sipping my drink.
“How much are you going to tell Ian about the halflings and the portal?” he asked.
“All of it, I guess…when I’m ready.”
“I’d appreciate it if you don’t mention I’m some kind of portal-person when you do. I haven’t figured out how I feel about it. Anyway, I’m not like you. I probably couldn’t open one of those things if I tried.”
“You’re a part of this,” I said. “There’s nowhere you can run that my mom won’t find you.”
Ian came out rubbing his eyes. “What are the two of you whispering about?”
“Strategy,” I said. “We didn’t want to wake you up.”
“I assume you’ll be coming along to break up the Truss meeting tonight,” Theron said to Ian.
“Yep,” he replied.
“No,” I countered. “You can stay at Theron’s, but I don’t want you any closer.”
Ian’s eyes widened in surprise. He was used to telling me how things were going to go down or arguing with his parents about it.
“I didn’t mean it to come out quite so harsh,” I said, “but I’m the one who will be doing the thoughtmaking, and I’m the one who’s going to stop the meeting. I get to say how it will happen.”
“You sure are bossy all of a sudden,” Theron said.
I poked his arm. “And you will be staying in the car at the edge of the parking lot. I’m going in alone.”
“I don’t like that idea,” Ian said.
“I can’t make the Truss forget about Theron’s vibration, get myself into the meeting, and work my magic on the Elders all at the same time. The best thing is for him to keep as far from the lodge as he can to minimize the chances they’ll feel him.”
“I don’t like it, either, but what are you going to do when you go inside?” Theron asked.
“I have a key card to get me to the second floor. I’m sure they’ll have the door guarded. I’ll use mind control to get inside.”
“You’ll have to thoughtmake to hide your identity the entire time you’re in the room, too. That will be tough.”
“There’s no other way.”
Theron tapped his fingers on the table in a familiar cadence. “There might be. There’s a holding area behind each conference room. The food is kept warm there until the staff is ready to serve. They enter through an attached door at the back. You could go in through there.”
“The Truss will be extra careful tonight. They’ll lock every door when the meeting starts.”
“I can teach you to pick a lock,” he said.
Ian shot him a look. “What other hobbies do you have, Theron?”
“You don’t want to know,” he replied. “If you pick the lock, you can hide behind a curtain or something.”
“Hiding behind curtains only works in cheesy mystery novels,” Ian said.
“Cheesy or not, it might work,” he replied.
“How do you know the setup so well?”
“I have friends in many places. Let’s just say you won’t be the first to use a holding area door to get into one of the rooms.”
“You should be in prison,” Ian remarked.
“It might work great,” I said, considering it. All I really need is to feel their energy and hear what’s going on. Cracking the door open might be enough.”
“You’ll have to use the staff elevator to get to the holding rooms,” Theron said. “I’ll draw you a map after I teach you to pick a lock.”
After ten minutes with a padlock and some tools Theron just happened to have on hand, I had picking locks pretty well figured out.
“I guess the two of you will be leaving tonight,” Theron said.
“I want to go as soon as possible,” Ian confirmed.
“Well, at least the last week has been more lively than usual.”
I grabbed Theron’s hand. “Thank you for everything.”
“I owe you some colored sketches,” he replied. “And maybe a visit in Sweden.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
Ian’s head swiveled to me and then to Theron and back again. “What are the two of you talking about?” Ian asked.
“I’ll tell you later. I need to pack my things. It’s almost time to go.”
“Hold on,” Theron said, handing something to me. “This is the button cam I made to feed video of the meeting. Pin it on your jacket.”
I packed quickly and looked around the old-lady-chic room. I hoped it wasn’t a good-bye forever look. I wanted to take Theron up on the offer to come back to the cabin someday.
Ian carried my ugly suitcase to his car and put it in the trunk. “When you get back, we’ll drive down and get my stuff from Stacy’s. If I have to I’ll pay triple for airplane tickets back to Vegas, we’re going to be home before sunrise tomorrow.”
I kissed his cheek. “See you soon.”
“Just be careful, okay?” he replied.
My stomach was churning with nervous butterflies. “I always am.”
“Technically, that’s not true,” Theron remarked as he passed us on his way to the Land Rover. “You steal cars and drive into ravines.”
“Just get in the car,” I grumbled.
Chapter Thirty-Three
On the drive up, Theron not only drummed the steering wheel, he kept shifting in his seat. He was antsier than normal.
He parked the Land Rover at the farthest end of the parking lot and said, “I need your phone for a minute.”
I handed it over and he typed a bunch of stuff on it. Then he turned the screen so I could see. “You only have to push this button once, and I’ll come for you.”
“How did you break into my phone so fast?”
“It’s a trade secret. Now, go mess with people’s minds.”
From the feel I got in the lobby, there were a whole lot of Truss upstairs. At least twenty more than there had been the night of the dinner. Did it scare me? Yes. More minds to work meant more energy I’d have to expend.
It wasn’t difficult to find the kitchen that serviced the conference rooms. Theron’s map was excellent. I slipped inside when no one was looking and took a catering jacket from a rack near the door.
“Are you with team two?” a harried woman asked.
Sure, why not. “Yes, ma’am,” I replied.
“The hors d’oeuvres cart is loaded. Take it up to the Aspen room.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I had no idea which cart held the hors d’oeuvres. All the trays were covered, so I picked the nearest one. People were everywhere in the kitchen. All of them going in different directions at the same time. I started pushing the cart through and around them, hoping I wouldn’t run over anyone.
“Hey,” a man’s voice called out. “Hey, you with the cart.”
“Me?” I asked.
“If you’re going upstairs, take these with you.”
I held my arm out so he could drape some dish towels over it.
“Hurry. We’re going to serve in ten minutes.”
I made it a few steps and another woman stopped me. “Take this, too,” she said, loading a crate of sparkling wa
ter on the bottom of the cart.
It was getting so heavy and awkward that I couldn’t turn it around people.
I’d had enough when another guy tried to hang aprons over my shoulder. “Get someone else to do it,” I said, sending the same thought into his mind.
I finally made it out of the throng to the elevator. Ed, who according to his name badge was food services manager, pushed the up button on the control panel.
“Are you new?” he asked.
“I started Monday.”
“I do the hiring, and I don’t remember you.”
You remember her, I put into his mind.
I followed him into the elevator hoping no one else would talk to me.
“After you drop that off, help clear in the Maple room,” he said.
I saluted him, but he didn’t see because he was speed-walking down the hall toward a plaque that said Table Linens.
I decided right then and there that food service people didn’t get paid enough.
The Truss were in the farthest room down the hall. I pushed the cart to the plaque for the Aspen room and left it near the door. I was pretty sure someone would find it or trip over it.
The door to the holding area was unlocked, so I let myself in. The interior space was dark and quiet. Activating the flashlight app on my phone, I shone it around until I found the door into the conference room. That one was locked.
Holding my phone between my teeth, I got the pins Theron had given me from my pocket and began working them in the lock. When the latch gave, I held the handle so it wouldn’t engage again. I secured my phone and the pins back inside my pocket and mentally prepared myself for what I was going to do.
Opening the door a crack, I listened.
“In spite of tragedy and loss,” a female voice said, “we came here to make a decision.”
I recognized the voice. It was Phoebe’s. She was supposed to have left…but then her brother was supposed to be alive, too. Maybe Yvonne had been too devastated to go on with the meeting. Maybe Phoebe has stepped into the role of hostess. She’d really be hating that.
“It’s up to you to decide who will lead our clan,” she continued. “Over the past few days we’ve discussed the pros of joining with the clans as well as the cons. Joining them would mean an end to the conflict between us, and they might help rebuild our infrastructure.”