He got out of the car and walked to the mammoth wooden door that looked more like it belonged on a castle than a house in a Chicago suburb. Well, maybe house was an understatement.
Not sure whether I should give him space or not, I slowly followed behind hoping the situation would direct me. I freed the snake from the box in the backseat and let out a sigh as I prepared for the inevitable. My heart already knew the answer as he unlocked the door and pushed it open. Peeking from behind, I saw the same thing as he did — nothing.
“Hey, mom?” Logan’s voice bounced off the entry’s slate floor.
I followed behind him as we entered the home, and I shut the front door. We both knew she wasn’t here. It didn’t need to be said.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, sliding my arms around his waist. He pulled me into him, and I rested my head against his shoulder.
“It never occurred to me that she could be a target.”
“My father seems to have an uncanny ability to persuade people to do what he wants though,” I stopped myself from continuing. Logan didn’t need to hear anything else. We were both well aware of my father’s abilities. I was finally starting to understand what we were dealing with, not who. Pure evil.
“So your mom wanted my mom to come visit or live?” he asked, dissecting everything I had told him from Trevor’s images. I wished I had more answers for him.
“It was strange. It’s like he’s got this compound where people are coming and hanging out. I don’t get it. But from what I could tell from Trevor’s memories, my mom wanted her there for a while. It’s really creepy what’s going on at his compound. He had all of these people, who seemed to be completely void of personality, pouncing on every word my father uttered.”
“Like a cult?” Logan’s eyes narrowed, as he ushered me through the gigantic foyer.
I nodded my head.
“Yeah, like that,” I sighed, walking down the endless hallway wondering where I was actually heading. My thought that this house was smaller than the others on the street was seriously mistaken.
Logan’s touch gently steered me to the right as the hallway came to an end, but I didn’t move forward. I couldn’t. The view was too breathtaking. In front of me was a wall of windows overlooking a shimmering carpet of water. Lake Michigan was this home’s masterpiece. The room framing this view was no less sensational. It was the size of our cottage, and this was only one room in the house.
There were beautiful sea-blue drapes falling in between each of the floor-to-ceiling windows. The walls were canvased in a velvety ivory with nautical sconces hung every few feet. There were several sets of overstuffed chenille couches placed in their own seating arrangements. It was quite astounding. I didn’t want to act impressed, but it was hard not to be.
“So what was your family’s business again?” I asked, turning to face Logan. “I thought it was fabric or something.”
“Textiles,” he replied, placing his hands on my shoulders.
I squinted at him as I tried gauge what to say or do. This wasn’t what I expected — not that it changed anything. But I was surprised I didn’t know.
“Huh. So that’s why you have such nice décor.” I wrinkled my nose at him as I thought about this new development.
“Oh, Triss. One of the many reasons I love you,” he replied, gently tapping the end of my nose, reminding me to relax.
“Let me give you a quick tour, and we can figure out what we want to do next. Since they’re both together in Saranac Lake maybe it’ll make it easier.”
I glanced quickly at the room that I’d become quite fond of as he led me to the next space over, which was just as lovely and also offered a grand view of the lake.
“Every room outdoes the last, I see,” I replied, admiring the walls covered in cherry wood.
“This is where I hung out most,” Logan said, gesturing at the large flat screen tucked in between bookshelves. The weathered leather couches fit the space. It did seem more masculine than the other room. I could see Logan hanging out here.
As I followed Logan from room to room, all seemingly more spectacular than the last, I started to get restless. It felt like the house was never ending. I was following him down the stairs when the doorbell rang, startling me out of my euphoria of getting to see where Logan called home.
“Do you get visitors often?” I asked.
“Nope.” Logan slipped by me on the stairs, and I followed closely behind. It was probably a harmless salesman or something. Following him for what seemed like forever, we finally made it to the foyer.
“They’ve probably already left, whoever they were. That was a hike,” I replied, only half joking.
He swung the door open to have a girl, about my age, standing with her hands on her hips looking very aggravated. She didn’t seem to notice me at first. Her eyes were locked on Logan’s, and a smile started to appear. Her light brown hair was pulled up in a sleek ponytail, and she was dressed in a tight fitting pale lavender dress. It seemed pretty over the top but maybe that’s how people our age dressed in neighborhoods like this, as opposed to my jeans and a hoodie.
She held out both arms readying for an embrace when Logan stepped back from her and grabbed me instead.
“Did you need something, Caitlin? My mom’s not home right now,” Logan’s tone was harsh and dismissive. I was secretly thrilled.
“So you’re the one who stole Logan’s heart,” Caitlin said. She was now standing with her arms crossed, glaring at me on the front porch.
“Guess so.” I nodded, glancing at Logan who was beaming.
“She’s the one,” Logan said, wrapping his arm around me tighter, infuriating Caitlin even more.
Unable to resist the territorial urges that were whipping through me, I stood on my toes and kissed Logan’s cheek.
“No line of girls, huh?” I whispered into his ear.
Logan’s laughter irritated the girl, and I enjoyed every second of it.
“Did you drop by to say hi or what’s up?” Logan asked.
Caitlin’s glare was etching a place in my mind while I tried to figure out who she was… what her place was. She certainly wasn’t part of the welcoming committee. Her eyes held something familiar in them.
I gripped Logan tighter.
“I dropped by to deliver a message, but it seems that you might be too busy. I’ll catch you later,” Caitlin said, spinning around to leave.
“Don’t be your dramatic self. Just spit it out,” Logan snapped. I’d never seen him this annoyed before. There had to be some sort of history between these two.
She turned back toward us with a wicked grin and reached into her bag, searching around for something. Logan stepped in front of me like he was trying to shield me from some imaginary force.
“Where do you know Caitlin from?” I asked, while she still fumbled around in her purse.
“The coven and school.” His voice was only moderately softer because he was talking to me.
“Huh.”
“Here it is,” Caitlin said, handing me a small envelope.
“Whoa,” Logan said. “I’ve got that.”
Caitlin took it back and shook her head.
“Nope. I was told I had to give it to the girl you were so fond of, Logan.” She pretended like she was stuffing it back in her bag.
“From who?” I asked, feeling something familiar about her.
“Your father,” she replied, slipping the envelope into my hand. Her eyes held the same vacant stare that I had seen from my father’s followers.
“You know my father?”
“Some of us have been following him for quite a while,” she said, winking at Logan.
I felt sick. How did I manage to stay in such a wonderful bubble through the years?
“Thanks, Caitlin,” Logan said, not waiting for a response as he slammed the gigantic wooden door.
Shoving my insecurities aside, I stared at the blank envelope unsure I wanted to open it.
“Do
you really think it’s from my father?” I asked, my heart beating too quickly for its own good.
“Want me to open it?” he asked.
I shook my head and started tearing into it. A note was sprawled on the white cardstock inside, and I realized it was an invitation – one that I never wanted.
My dearest Triss:
You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. I’m very proud of you. With your mom by my side, it would be wonderful to be a complete family again. I’ve got ambitious plans that include you. Your talents can’t be ignored any longer, and your mother and I would love to help you explore your gifts.
Your father,
Nicholas
“I can’t believe this,” I whispered, shoving the note at Logan. “Does he really think this note will make things all better?”
“I don’t think so,” Logan said. “He’s taunting you. He knows this won’t do anything.”
Logan set the note on the table, bringing me into his arms.
“You don’t have to hold the anger in,” Logan whispered.
“I’m really sorry you got dragged into this mess. I’m so sorry about your mom.” The anger turned to tears. The steady stream of wetness began its parade, and I didn’t even try to stop it.
“This isn’t your fault. I got myself involved years ago. Don’t put this on your shoulders,” Logan assured me. “We’ll get our families back.”
“I want to do more than that. I want to destroy my father and whatever he thinks he’s creating.”
One of the reasons I loved Logan was that he knew exactly what to do in this situation, which was nothing. I just needed to be held.
“I thought I knew my place in the world. Everything seemed so easy and obvious. Spend a few months carefree before starting college, get a degree in herbal science or something from Bastyr, and continue working at my families’ businesses. So simple and harmless.” I took a deep breath.
“I never expected this either.” Logan shook his head.
“When you were injured, you mentioned that I shouldn’t trust my aunt. Was that your delirium speaking or did you figure something out?” I stepped back from Logan, rubbing the dampness from my eyes. I couldn’t let the weakness take over.
“Nothing concrete. Probably the same observations as you,” he replied, pulling me toward the back of the house.
The couches beckoned me, and I slumped onto the nearest one. Logan sat next to me. It was nice — normal almost. It was too bad it couldn’t really be like this. There was nothing carefree about what we were facing.
The evening had settled in, replacing the beautiful lake with an eerie darkness. Not the atmosphere I really wanted at the moment.
“I find it odd that my father took my mom and your mother, but not my aunt. My mom and aunt were so close,” I began.
“Like he already had her? Almost like your father let her remain on the outside working for him,” Logan offered. He leaned forward on the couch, resting his forehead in his palms.
I nodded. The quietness of our surroundings allowed me to think about my aunt. Truly analyze her actions.
“She was so quick to trust the coven when my mom disappeared. She could have stopped the memorial, but she accepted its speed. If my aunt was in contact with my father, following his plans, that would make the most sense. It’s not that my father was all-knowing, it’s that he’s got an informant.” The anger was mounting inside.
“It does make more sense. From the very beginning, actually,” Logan said.
I closed my eyes, letting my mind wander back to everything that had happened to us since my mom’s disappearance. Whenever I was going to be somewhere, she knew. The beach, the florist shop, the cottage — how could I be so naïve?
“How could she do this to her own sister?” I asked letting the realization settle over me. “And for how long? Was everything one big charade?”
“It all fits though, doesn’t it?” Logan’s voice was low, hiding the anger that I too felt.
“It does,” I paused. “She was the only one who knew I went to the florist shop after the memorial. She never answered —”
“You think she sent the spirit after you too?” he interrupted, his eyes scanning mine with a mixture of relief and worry.
“Possibly. The library incident even! I bet she alerted them that we were there,” I replied.
“That’s a logical reason for Trevor finding the cottage.” Logan grabbed my hand.
“And since she hadn’t heard from Trevor since his attempted attack, she probably came to check on everything at the cottage.” I looked at Logan and saw the same emotion I felt — relief. My father wasn’t that capable. He had help.
“Well, since everyone knows we’re here, I guess we need to be extra careful,” I said, turning my attention to the darkness outside. “Right now, we are on stage for the world to see. Let’s close up the curtains. It’ll make me feel better at least.”
Logan hopped up and rather than move toward the curtains, he went behind us and flipped a switch.
“Nice,” I said, watching the drapes close automatically. “I should have known.”
Logan’s lip turned up slightly. He looked good — really good. My gaze dropped to the floor not wanting to tempt myself any more. Oh, how I wanted to be a normal eighteen year old with nothing to worry about except a college exam and what to wear on a date. Instead, I was plagued with bringing home a mother who didn’t want to be found and the prospect of a father willing to unleash dark sorcery on his own daughter. Welcome to adulthood, Triss.
“Seems like you’re getting wrapped up in your Triss world again,” Logan said softly.
I blinked up at him in confusion. How did he always know when I went to that other part of my mind? He was one of the few people who could get me out of the place of worry I trapped myself in.
“You know, I never did show you the guest house.” He held out his hand.
“You mean guest house turned Loganhouse,” I said, allowing him to pull me to my feet. “Is it safe to go out there at night? I’m not sure I actually want to go outside. Between being paranoid about family members and unwanted visitors…”
“My father had an underground hallway built beneath the driveway. He didn’t want guests to have to go outside to get there.”
“Of course he did,” I replied. “Lead the way.”
“Very few people have actually seen this place.” His eyes mischievous, lifting the gravity of the situation.
“I’d hope that’s the case,” I scolded him.
Hopefully Caitlin wasn’t one of the people who set foot in his home away from home. The idea of her perfectly-coifed self wandering around here irritated me beyond belief. I squinted my eyes at Logan, trying to determine how she actually did play out in his life. Did I want to know? Why was I being so childish? It’s not like he didn’t have a life out here.
“I can’t get over my aunt. My mom trusted her with everything she had to give. It’s hard to wrap my mind around it. I hope we’re wrong.”
“It does explain a lot of things.” He tugged on my hand directing me down the hall. And then it spilled out before I could stop it. So much for being mature.
“So how well did you know Caitlin?”
Catching him off guard, I saw a flash of remorse in his eyes before he turned away.
That was not the reaction I expected.
Chapter 9
Following Logan through the hallway, it was easy to forget that it was underground. It wasn’t, however, easy to forget that Caitlin might have been on this same walk with him. I was trying desperately to be an adult here, but it was difficult. As ridiculous as it may seem, I wanted to believe that I was his first love. I liked the little story I had created in my head about him and his feelings for me. Granted, he’d placed it there, but I believed it.
“You’re certainly quiet.” Logan stopped and turned around to look at me. “It’s probably not what you’re thinking.”
I looked up at him won
dering what he thought I was thinking because I wasn’t even sure myself.
“Let’s keep moving. It kind of creeps me out to stop in the middle here.” I lied.
“Okay,” he nodded. Looking pained in his expression, he pressed forward but then came to an abrupt halt resulting in me almost crashing into him.
The door was only a few feet away, and I was anxious to see where Logan called home before coming out to Seattle. I would shove all of these ridiculous thoughts about Caitlin out of my mind. It didn’t matter. He was here with me now.
“You know what?” Logan startled me. His was voice gruff. “I’m not gonna move until you tell me what’s up. Remember the whole communication thing we promised each other?”
I began fidgeting and shoved my hands in my pockets to stop myself from feeling so ridiculous. I could see the frustration playing out on Logan’s face. I better say something. Oh my God, the embarrassment my paranoia was going to land me in was going to be brutal. This was the least of our problems, and I was bringing it to the forefront.
“Triss?” he asked softly.
Here it goes. Nothing like acting like the jealous type.
“There seemed to be something between you and Caitlin, and I can’t truly expect you to have waited for me. It sounded nice when you implied that, and I liked the idea of it and all, but I know it’s not realistic.” I smiled at him. “I can’t believe I’m even letting it bother me, but… it is. I’d rather know. I’m nosy like that.” I gave my best effort at trying to downplay what I was feeling inside, which was a tormented jealousy that I was completely bewildered with.
Bracing myself for an answer I probably didn’t want to hear, I impatiently waited for his response. The anticipation continued to build inside of me, but he gave no sign of which way his words were going to lead. He stood there watching me, looking completely bemused. Reluctantly, I glanced at one of the paintings hanging on the wall to avoid looking into Logan’s eyes any longer.
Still not saying a word, Logan turned back toward the door and unlocked it, opening it wide for us to follow through.
“After you,” he finally replied, escorting me through.
Altered Souls (Witch Avenue Series #2) Page 7