Devlin's Descendant

by Felicia Tatum

  Scott

  Livvie stood beside me, her body tensed and eyes taking in the surroundings. She’d not been inside my parents’ home, only in my apartment and Sadie’s room. Once in, her fingers fell loosely from mine, her feet slowly moving to each wall, eyes devouring each picture, frame, and decoration the home held. I chuckled, watching her take everything in.

  “This home is beautiful. I can’t believe you grew up here,” she whispered, turning with child-like amazement shining her face.

  “Why, thank you, darling,” my mother said.

  Livvie turned quick enough to give herself whiplash, and I smiled widely to my mom who was standing just inside the living room entrance. She was petite, like Sadie, but contained a powerful presence. Her hair was short and dark, her eyes identical to mine. Her small, round face was beautiful, and of course, she hadn’t aged since I’d been born. All through high school, friends and teachers had commented on how young my parents looked, how they must have had me when they were babies themselves. If those people only knew the truth.

  “Hey, Mom,” I greeted.

  “Hi, Mrs. Tabors,” Livvie stuttered out, smoothing her hair and clothing. She was obviously shaken, though I couldn’t be entirely sure why. She knew we would be coming here to meet up with my parents, so I didn’t know why the sight of my mother made her so uneasy.

  Mom glided forward, appearing to walk on air, her long skirt swooshing around her ankles. “You must be Olivia,” she said, grasping both of Livvie’s hands in hers. “We’ve heard so much about you, and I’m so glad to finally meet you. I must say, Scott wasn’t exaggerating about your beauty,” her face broke out in a huge smile, and I saw her squeeze Livvie’s hands tighter.

  “Oh,” Livvie giggled, “Thank you so much, ma’am.” She blushed, her voice quiet, her body language reserved.

  “Oh, please, call me Sabrina,” she cooed.

  I stifled a laugh. My mom and the love of my life were standing in the living room charming each other. It was wonderfully funny.

  “Sabrina…” Livvie said thoughtfully. “Another S.”

  Mom looked amused. She turned to me, laughing, and asked, “You didn’t tell her the story on how you all got your names?”

  I shook my head. “We’ve had other things on our minds, Mom. We actually came here to talk to you about something.”

  “Well, it can wait a few minutes. I’m telling your lovely girlfriend here about how Spencer and I met.”

  “And another!” Livvie exclaimed, squealing in delight. “I love it.”

  “Spencer and I met, fell in love, and after the council stopped my aging, we travelled for many, many years. We met this wonderful family that all had the same initials, and while that was nice, we took their idea and decided we would just name our children ‘S’ names so we’d all have the same first letter.”

  Livvie gasped, moving her hand over her heart. “That’s so sweet. Scott, you should have told me that sooner. I love romantic stories like that,” she scolded me.

  Mom laughed, “I guess we should let him off the hook. It really isn’t fair that we gang up on him. He doesn’t have a fighting chance.” She looked at Livvie and winked, making sure I saw her.

  “True,” she giggled. Her long legs moved swiftly, her steps brining her to my side in seconds. She linked our arms, stood tiptoe to kiss my cheek, and said, “I think it’s time we tell her.”

  I nodded. Glancing at Mom, seeing the worried expression begin to cloud her face, my stomach churned. “Mom, can you get Dad? We have some news.”

  Olivia

  Scott looked a lot like both his parents. His mom was small, beautiful, and Sadie was her spitting image. His dad was what I imagined Scott looking like in his forties…however long that would be from now. I still didn’t understand the whole time thing with sorcery. They were seated on the couch while Scott stood and I rested on the side of the chair near him.

  “Is this about the descendant?” Sabrina asked, her voice ghostly.

  Scott stiffened, his eyes shifting to barely glance at me. His back was rigid, his face paled. “No.”

  “I thought you had the book? Mom said you and Sadie were close to finding out who it was,” Spencer pried.

  I studied Scott, knowing something wasn’t right. His stance was…off. He was nervous, and obviously hiding something from me. I knew I would be asking him about it later. Deciding to take some pressure off of him, I spoke up. “It’s about my captor.”

  Sabrina’s head whipped around to look at me, her eyes wide. “You know who it is?”

  I nodded, “I figured it out this morning…right after our friend Aiden was taken. Again.”

  “Again?” Spencer shouted.

  I agreed again, grimly.

  “Mom…Dad…she saw a picture at Grandma’s,” he started, then took a long pause.

  I jumped up, grasping his hand in mine, squeezing him to show my support.

  He took a deep breath. “It’s Sebastian.”

  His mother gasped, his father slammed his fist on the coffee table. I held Scott’s hand closer, using my other to lightly trace circles on his upper forearm. He was shaking, though in anger or from nerves, I couldn’t tell.

  His mother’s eyes brimmed with tears, her voice shook. “How? Why?”

  “We don’t know, Mom. Grandma wants us to all come stay there. Sadie’s already there, so all we need are you two and Santos. We’re scared of what he’ll do next,” he admitted, then whispered, “He’s got to be working with The Crimson Calamitous.”

  Sabrina shook her head furiously, a few tears slipping free as she did so. “Not my baby.”

  My heart broke for her, for all of them. I released Scott’s hand, walking over to her tepidly. “I’m so sorry, Sabrina.” I placed my hand on her back, giving her a small pat.

  She reached up, nodded her head, and squeezed my hand on her shoulder. She sniffled, then looked to Spencer. “We need to pack some things up. We’re going.”

  “Yes, we are. Olivia, what about your parents? Are they coming?” he questioned.

  My mouth opened, then closed. “Uhh…”

  Scott spoke up, “They’re out of town, Dad. Her brother has been staying with her and he’s coming.” He gave me a look, one that told me to keep quiet about their disappearance. I wasn’t sure why, but I obliged.

  He nodded, standing and helping Sabrina to her feet. He gave Scott a quick glance, grasped his wife’s small hand, and they disappeared.

  “Where did they go?” I quizzed Scott, still peering at the spot they’d just stood in.

  “Dad likes to make a show of everything,” he chuckled. “Let’s go get your and Kyle’s stuff.”

  I gave him a half smile, pushed my body close to his, and waited for him to transport us to my house.

  ###

  We arrived just outside my door. The shaking quickly overtook my body as I thought of the things I’d witnessed hours earlier. Watching Aiden being abducted minutes after he kissed me and I blew him off sat uneasily with me. I never wanted to hurt him, and I prayed he knew that. I wandered into my room, pulling an overnight back from the top shelf and throwing in jeans, some shirts, and a pair of tennis shoes. I turned, bumping straight into Scott’s back. “Why are you standing in the middle of the room?” I giggled, wrapping my arm around his back.

  “You put the picture I painted on your wall.”

  I blushed, feeling my hair fall around my face when my head lowered. “Yeah...it’s been there for quite a while,” I admitted.

  “I didn’t see it before,” he whispered, his face lit in happiness.

  I smiled timidly, peering up at him. “You were busy kissing me the other times,” I joked.

  “Like I’m about to now?” he said gruffly. His thumb gently tilted my chin, rubbing my skin softly. Eyes heavy with desire, he bent to take my lips in his own. His mouth covered mine, his tongue tracing the edges of my lips, teeth nibbling on my bottom pout. My arms snaked up his hard chest and around his neck unt
il my fingers found his hair. I tugged gently, deepening our kiss. Our mouths moved in sync until we both were gasping for breath. He pulled away slightly, leaving a small trail of kisses from my lips to my nose and around my cheek. Sighing, I fell into him, feeling his warmth envelope me and make me feel safe.

  “I love the way you smell.”

  I giggled into his chest. His lips kissed the top of my head, his strong hands massaged my back. “Thanks,” I said.

  “We need to get a move on. Where is Kyle’s stuff?”

  “He has a bag in the living room. He never unpacked it, like he was expecting us to be leaving or something.”

  He gave me a curious look, then released his hold. “I’ll go get it. You finish up in here and yell if anything happens.”

  “Duh,” I agreed, grabbing my favorite pillow from the bed. “I only have to grab my toothbrush and hair stuff, then I’m good to go. I’m sure Sadie has anything I forget.”

  He laughed loudly, one straight from his belly, “Oh, she definitely has plenty of hair stuff. At my parents’ house and Grandma’s.”

  I smiled widely, “Thought so. Go grab that bag. I’m about ready,” I instructed, following him out and rushing into the bathroom. I threw in my toiletries, then joined him as he was zipping the bag.

  “Weird he didn’t unpack anything,” he mumbled.

  “I think he’s dealt with all of this longer than any of us. It kind of worries me, Scott,” I confessed, chewing on my bottom lip.

  He hugged me tightly, then reached to grab the bags from my grip. “We’ll get through it.”

  “Scott?” I asked, breaking his concentration as he was about to take us back to his grandmother’s home. “Do you know who the descendant is?” The question had been burning in my mind and I had to know.

  He grew tense, just as he had in his parents’ living room. His eyes closed, his breathing intensified. “Yes. Now isn’t the time. I’ll tell you later.”

  My expression and hope fell, along with my stomach. It was bad. Whoever it was…they had to be someone important to one of us, or both. I prayed it wasn’t Mark. I couldn’t handle the thought of my boyfriend killing one of my best friends, though I didn’t particularly enjoy the thought of him killing anyone. I sighed, nodded, and we were on our way.

  Sadie

  Scott, Grandma, and I closed ourselves up in her library. Olivia and Kyle were getting acquainted with my parents and Santos while we broke the news of Olivia being the descendant to Grandma. This wasn’t something any of us was prepared to deal with.

  “What is it?” Grandma prodded. “You both look like someone died.”

  I shifted my eyes over to Scott, then peered back at her. “We know who the descendant is.”

  Her brows raised in surprise as she placed her hands on the table to hold her stance. “You know?” She blinked several times.

  Scott jumped in, realizing she wasn’t happy we kept this from her. “Here,” he said, thrusting the huge book under her nose. “Look for yourself. We didn’t know how to tell you, or anyone, for that matter.”

  She narrowed her eyes, casting them down to read the page. Her lips moved silently as she skimmed, her eyes bulging when she found the name. “Olivia?” Her face lifted, she straightened her back, and walked to wrap her arms around Scott. “I’m sorry, Little One.”

  He stood emotionless. His masked expression gave away how much he was truly worried. I knew him well enough to know he was worried sick and would throw himself under a bus before he even considered hurting Olivia. Since they’d met early, he would have to do something, however. Fix this situation somehow. “You have to find a solution,” he mumbled, still not hugging her back.

  “There has to be something else we can do, right, Grandma?” I asked hopefully.

  She nodded briefly. “Of course. There is always another option. We just have to find it,” she said, going to her large bookshelf on the other side of the room. “Does she know?”

  We both shook our heads in unison.

  She sighed heavily, rubbing her temples in small circles. “She needs to know.”

  “Grandma!” Scott bellowed, slamming his hand down on the table. “She doesn’t need to know this. We can just fix it and not worry her. She has enough to worry about. Aiden is missing, her parents were taken, The Destroyers are after her and her brother, and she’s worried about our damn curse. I can’t give her more to worry about.”

  “Scott Tabors, do not yell at me,” she said sharply. “I know she has a lot on her, but we will fix this. As soon as we get Aiden back, you three and Sadie are going to talk to the council.”

  I snapped my head up. “Why am I going?”

  “Because I need to know someone level headed is there. Abana already showed Olivia that Scott and Aiden are essential to her journey, so they must accompany her, but she doesn’t need to deal with them fighting the whole time. She’ll need you.”

  “What about Juniper? Or Mark?” I questioned. The thought of a journey with the lovebirds and Aiden made me nervous. My stomach clenched and my palms sweated just considering it.

  “They don’t have healing powers. What if The Crimson Calamitous intercepts you? Or some other trouble happens?”

  My breathing intensified. “Seriously? You think that will happen?”

  Scott interjected, “Grandma, we don’t need a babysitter. And if you’re that worried, why can’t you go with us?”

  “The council members aren’t my biggest fans, children. You will be on your own,” she said, turning as if the conversation was over.

  “Why not?” Scott quizzed.

  She waved her hand to the side, picking up the closest book to her. “It’s nothing.”

  “I think we deserve an answer,” Olivia said from the edge of the room.

  We all whipped around to face her, casting glances around to each other, wondering what all she heard of the conversation.

  “I know. It’s me, but it doesn’t matter. I know we will figure it out. Why can’t you go with us, Ms. Anna?” Her voice was strong, confident. Her face was hard and stern. She didn’t appear to be upset, but looks were deceiving.

  For once, possibly the first time in my fifteen years, Grandma was at a loss for words. She just stared at Olivia, like she was seeing her for the first time. None of us moved. I’m not even sure if anyone was really breathing for those seconds that seemed like hours. She slowly walked forward, grasping Olivia to her body and holding her close.

  “You are a very strong young lady, Olivia Whitehead,” she praised.

  Liv gave a half smile, then shrugged. “Do I have a choice?”

  Scott hung his head, groaning slightly. “This is all my fault.”

  We all stared at him, with Olivia asking the question we all thought. “What? Why?”

  “I should have just stayed hidden. Let Grandma help you….but no, I had to show myself. I put you in danger, Livvie. It was all me. This is all on me,” he rambled. His voice rose. He was aggravated.

  “I could have died, Scott. You helped save me,” she answered. The confusion was written all over her face, from her crinkled brows to her pursed lips to her cocked head.

  “They could have helped you,” he said, his head shaking.

  “Stop,” Grandma commanded. “Blaming ourselves won’t fix anything. Now, sit down and I’ll tell my tale,” she instructed. She stared pointedly at Scott, “I mean it, stop.”

  He nodded, and we got comfortable in the chairs around the room. She launched into her story as soon as we settled.

  Aiden

  We stared at each other, his evil eyes boring into my own. I couldn’t tell what he wanted this particular meeting, or why he seemed so giddy, but it made me want to vomit. All over his pretty white room and the century old loafers he was wearing. The soul inhabiting Sebastian was showing just how ancient he was with his choice of dress. I cringed, thinking of him dressing my body that way.

  “I’m letting you go,” he announced.

  My eyel
ids beat rapidly, and I turned my head to the side. “You’re what?”

  “You heard me.”

  “What’s the catch?” I interrogated. He wouldn’t just let me go, I wasn’t stupid, I knew that. He was obviously up to something…probably something horrible that neither I nor my friends would like.

  He paced absentmindedly, his arms crossed with one reaching up to scratch the side of his neck. He suddenly stopped, whipping his head to face me with a sinister grin adorning his face. “You tell them the plan. They can’t find me…but you’ll all be living in fear of when I’ll come back to claim your body as mine. And I don’t even have to come back in this one,” he said, gesturing to his current vessel. “I can come in spirit form, and none of you will know until it’s too late.” He cackled. It reminded me of a witch, or some equally terrifying being that laughed when they did something evil.

  “You know they’ll stop you,” I countered.

  Eyes narrowed, he leaned until he was in my face. “They can’t. I know all their moves. I have one of them on my side.”

  I glared at him. He was right, but I wasn’t admitting it. “So, let me go.”

  He snarled, lifted his hand and pushed hard on my shoulder. I waited for the impact of the bed, or wall, to hit but it didn’t come. I noticed the air had changed. Everything had changed. I was falling, though I didn’t know where I was or what the destination landing would be. I curled my body tightly into a ball and prayed I didn’t die in this moment. I fell for what felt like hours, when I slowed. Ignoring my racing heart, I peeled my eyes open to see where I was.

  Scott

  Grandma was behaving oddly. It wasn’t like her to keep secrets but I knew something was up. She didn’t want to tell us why the council didn’t like her, and to be honest, it was a bit scary. Knowing what we were headed into was essential but how could we if we couldn’t even take her with us?