Succubus Revealed Chapter 11

It was hard leaving Seths side in the morning. Wed had alike a couple of(prenominal) nights together recently, and each day that passed only served to remind me I was that much closer to the transfer. Lying in his arms, watching him sleep in the early sunlight, I thought screening to what hed verbalize ab come on(a) Andrea getting better. If that was true, if she was healing, then there was a chance the ties keeping Seth here might lessen. I felt selfish even thinking that way, hardly undisputablely it wasnt too terrible a thing to wish we could all get a happy ending. subsequently a leisurely breakfast, Seth and I went over to the Mortensens. He was on babysitting duty while Andrea went to a posits appointment, and I was there to pick up Brandy. Chaos met us at the door, and Brandy practically flew outside, breathless and laughing.Dont go in there, she warned me, after I gave Seth a quick kiss good-bye. She and I head uped toward my car. Its crazy. mammy and Dad slept in, and Grandma let Kendall and the twins help with breakfast.What are they making?Waffles, she said. From scratch. I dont k at one time which was scarier Kendall mixing the batter or Morgan and McKenna on duty with the waffle iron. They sink the smoke detector off twice.I couldnt help but laugh as I pulled out of the driveway. And you and Kayla didnt help?No way, Brandy replied. I stayed away from that mess, and Kayla was in one of her silent toughnesss today.Aw. I kind of wished now that Id taken a moment to go inside. Tiny Kayla had a special place in my heart. though she was better than she used to be, she still had a tendency to simply watch her world without a word, and it could be difficult coaxing conversation from her. Some of this was shyness, and both(prenominal) of this I suspected was from the fact that Kayla was psychic. Her skills were still undeveloped, but she was sensitive to the workings of the supernatural world, which I had to imagine would make anyone of any a ge silent at quantifys.Shell be fine. She loves waffles. Brandy smiled, and I was happy to see her so upbeat for a change. She shouldered just as much stress as the adults. If any truly get made.We drove downtown, and I quizzed Brandy about what she was face for in a dress. She had little to offer, which was both charming and kind of heartbreaking. Brandy wasnt a tomboy, but with all of her family drama, dresses had been belowstandably off her radar. In fact, when her face lit up at all the downtown lights and decorations, it became clear that family had really been the only thing in her life recently.I arousent seen any of the vacation stuff this year, she told me, gazing out the windows. A pang in my heart reminded me that this would be my last year to see Seattle in all its holiday finery. We usually always come down here so that the girls drop see Santa. Theres been no time.The girls havent seen Santa? I asked, snapping out of my moment of self-pity. Thats not fair, espec ially considering I see a little too much of him. It made me wonder how many drinks it would take to coax Walter into a house call. It also convinced me to a greater extent than ever to make this a special day for Brandy. I couldnt expect her not to worry about her mom, but today, with Andrea on the mend and Seattles shopping wonderland construct to explore, Brandy was entitled to worry just a little less than usual. She deserved to think about herself.I took her on a whirlwind tour of designer stores, chastising her for weighing at price tags. I indispensabilityed this to be about more than the dress itself. I wanted her to have an experience, to feel homogeneous a princess. I made sure the salespeople were falling all over themselves to help her, which wasnt always so easy to do at such a busy time of the year. Brandys radiant expression told me it was worth the effort, and we finally hit gold at our third store, finding what was unquestionably the dress. It was made of dark p ink satin wrapped some to create a sheath silhouette that could still show off her figure without being pornographically tight. Satin flowers near the top added a whimsical edge, and the straps and knee-length made me feel it wouldnt get her kicked out of a church function. We spent the next hour finding the perfective aspect shoes and jewelry for it, and although each smart purchase clearly made her uneasy, she stopped questioning me about the cost. She didnt know about Margarets funding, but it had long since been spent.Exhausted and triumphant with our purchases, we went to lunch at an Italian restaurant frequented by other ladies of leisure. It was inside a larger, elegant shopping complex, and just as we were about to enter the restaurant, I saw a beaten(prenominal) face emerge from a nearby store. Something in my chest clenched, and I spoke in advance I could help myself.DougIt took him a moment to figure out whod called to him. When he did, a series of emotions played ov er his face. I wondered then how the encounter would have been different if Brandy hadnt been there. Would he have even acknowledged me? possibly. Maybe not. But Brandys presence guaranteed politeness. No matter how angry Doug might be at me, he wouldnt snub her.Kincaid, he said, strolling over to us. And little Brandy. Hows it going?Good, she said cheerfully. The two of them, I realized, could have been related if Seth and Maddie had ended up getting married. The weird fallout from their breakup hadnt had as big an effect on Brandy as the rest of us, though, and she was genuinely happy to see him. Were shopping.He favored her with a smile, and I wondered if he was avoiding eye contact with me. Last minute Christmas gifts? he asked.Not a chance, I said. This is all for Brandy. Shes going to a dance tonight.Oh, I see how it is, he said. Getting ready to break some hearts for the holidays, huh?She turned b accountability red. No Its at my churchTeasing girls was familiar and easy ter ritory for Doug. Yeah? he said, forcibly keeping a right away face. Then why are you blushing? Church boys hearts break just as easily as us sinners, you know. Im sure youll leave a trail of hundreds in your wake.No, she protested. Not hundreds Just one? he asked slyly.Brandy looked to me for help, and I laughed. I knew there was someone.You guys are terrible, she said, though she didnt look that upset. Can I go put our name on the list?Sure, I said, still laughing. But the instant she was inside the restaurant, Dougs playful manner vanished.Well, Ive got to go, he said, starting to turn away.Wait, Doug, I . . . He looked back at me, but I was at a loss. What could I say? That I was gloomy for sleeping with his sisters fiance? That I was sorry for lying to all of them and breaking her heart? How could you apologize for something like that? It . . . it was good to see you, I said at last.You too, he said, though he didnt expectant convincing. He nodded toward the restaurant. And her. I hope she has fun.Me too. She deserves it, what with everything else going on.He had attempted to leave again, but my words made him pause. Hows her mom?I shrugged. Good days and destructive days. Its up and down. . . . some time it seems hopeless, sometimes its like everythings fixed. Wreaks havoc on everyone. . . . you just cant assume anything, you know? Shes having some good days right now, but its been a hard road for all of them. We just never know whats going to happen next and have to hang in there as outmatch we can. Im sweating to help, but I dont know. . . . I dont feel like its enough. But what could be? I promptly shut up, realizing I was rambling.Doug said nothing, his dark look studying me for several heavy seconds. Then, his gaze shifted to Brandy, speaking to the hostess, for a few more moments before returning to me.Youre a good person, Kincaid, he said softly. And this time, he did leave.Nothing else he might have said could have surprised me more. In al l the imagined conversations Id had with Doug, Id expected frigid politeness at best and that had seemed like a long shot. More often than not, Id envisioned him telling me terrible, hurtful things, things I deserved. As much as a secret part of me yearned for him to discharge me so that we could be friends again, I really didnt think I deserved that forgiveness. I watched him walk away until Brandy stuck her head out from the restaurant door and called that they had a table.Despite how pensive my meeting with Doug left me, I was still able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon with Brandy. We were both in good spirits when we arrived back at the Mortensen home, and mine soared even higher when I saw Seths car in the driveway. I hurried inside, eager to see him, only to have my mood shatter when I saw his face. Margaret and Terry wore similar expressions. Brandy, normally so observant, was too keyed up over her purchases to notice that there had been a probatory mood shift in the ho use, compared to the bubbly chaos of this morning.We had such a great time, Brandy told them, face shining. I got the best dress.Margaret gave her a tight smile. Why dont you try it on for us?Brandy didnt need to be told twice, and Kendall and the twins followed her uproariously to the bedroom, offering to help. The instant they were gone, I turned to the adults. What happened?Bad prognosis at the doctors, said Seth, when no one else spoke right away. But she was improving, I argued. I looked at them all for confirmation. Right?We thought so, said Terry. At the very least, she seemed to be disembodied spirit better. But in these situations . . . well, cancer tricks you that way. Its why people go so long without ever knowing they have it. She woke up feeling bad this morning, and the doctor confirmed our fears. I was kind of in awe at how calmly he managed to deliver that. I wasnt sure I could have without breaking down. Honestly, I didnt know how hed been able to handle any of thi s with as much strength and determination as he had. If this were happening to the love of my life, I was pretty sure Id crawl into in a corner and cry.Or would I?Looking at Seth, at those beloved features and compassionate expression, I suddenly knew that wasnt true. If the one I loved needed my strength, then I would give all I had within me.Were not telling Brandy yet, said Seth. Were not going to keep it from her, but we figured it would be best to wait until after tonight.I nodded slowly, having no words. I was usually so quick with a quip or solace line, but what response could I make to that? Especially when, moments later, Brandy came bounding back down the stairs in the pink dress. Each twin held a shoe, and Kendall carried the glittering chandelier earrings wed found just before lunch. I was reminded of Cinderellas mouse retainers.Brandys tastes had been foremost in my mind while shopping, but Id also had half an eye on what I thought her family would approve of in fashi on. As she spun around for them, however, I realized it didnt matter. I couldve brought her home in rags, and they wouldve loved it so long as she wore the look of radiance on her face that she did now. That was what sold it, one spot of pure joy in the dark cloud that kept hanging over this family. The adults were too overcome with emotion to speak, so Kendall did it for us.Doesnt she look like a princess? She kept trying to smooth nonexistent wrinkles out of the skirt, much to Brandys dismay. I want a dress like this.Morgan sat down on the floor and tried to forcibly push the shoe on Brandys foot while she still stood, furthering my Cinderella images. McKenna conjugate in as well, and both nearly succeeded in knocking their older sister over.Well? Brandy laughed. What do you think?Its beautiful, said Margaret.Youre beautiful, said Terry.Having successfully dislodged the twins, Brandy stepped into the shoes, flushing under the praise of her family. I hope I dont fall in these. How stupid would that look?I dont think anything could make you look stupid, said Seth. Youre perfect from head to toe.Okay, you guys, said Brandy, growing embarrassed. Now youre just pushing it.The head to toe comment suddenly reminded me of something. Oh. I wont be here to do your hair. I have to go to work soon. At that moment, calling in sick seemed like a reasonable idea. Nothing seemed more important than giving her a perfect night.Thats okay, said Brandy. I can do it. Or maybe Mom can.Shes been kind of tired today, said Terry neutrally. But I know shell want to see you before you leave.I can do a French twist, said Margaret, surprising us all. If you want to wear it up.Will you show me? asked Brandy.Margaret nodded. Sure, lets go upstairs.Before they did, Brandy paused to give me a giant hug. Thank you so much, Georgina. For everything.They went upstairs, followed by the littler girls, all of whom thought there was nothing so wonderful as dressing up their older sister. Actually , I realized, that wasnt entirely true. Not all of them felt that way.Wheres Kayla? I asked. She hadnt been in the entourage.Terry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, in a way similar to what Id often seen Seth do. In the living room, I think. Shes been out of sorts today. Sometimes I think she can figure out whats going on, even when we dont tell her.With Kaylas abilities, I didnt doubt it was true. I remembered Brandy saying Kayla had been in a silent mood since this morning and wondered just how much of her mothers illness the little girl was in tune with. I left the brothers to seek her out and found her curled up in a corner of the overstuffed sofa, making herself so small that she was almost lost in the cushions.Hey, you, I said, sitting down beside her. Hows it going? Dont you want to see Brandys dress?Kayla shifted her face, looking at me with huge blue eyes. Georgina, she said. You have to make it stay away.My thoughts were on the dress, so it took a moment for me to follow what she was saying. Make what stay away, honey?The Darkness.There was something in the way she said the word that let me know she wasnt referring to shadows. When she said Darkness, I could feel the personification in her word, the looming threat of something or someone tangible. With a pang, I remembered that Kayla had been able to sense Nyx when shed escaped her angelic captors.I leaned toward Kayla, glad Seth and Terry were preoccupied. Kayla, are you talking about . . . about the creature you felt before? The one you could sense on me? Nyxs return would be a complication I most certainly didnt need in my life right now.She shake her head. A different one. The Darkness comes here, to my house. To see my mommy. Will you make it go away?Is it here now? I asked uneasily.No. Just sometimes.How many times?Kayla thought about it. Two.A cold feeling crept over me. Was last night one of those times?She nodded.Have you seen it? I asked her.No. But I feel it. I can tell where its at when its here. She peered at me beseechingly. Will you make it stop?I had no clue what this Darkness was or what I could do to stop it, but theories were running wild in my head. I kissed her forehead. Ill do what I can, baby. I promise. Ive got to leave now, but Ill see what I can find out for you, okay? Well make sure the Darkness doesnt come back.Like the flip of a switch, Kaylas whole demeanor changed. Whereas shed been sad and withdrawn moments ago, she was now beaming and hopeful. All that faith in me. With my empty assurance to take on something I didnt understand, she was able to put aside all of her fears and worries. All was right in her world now, thanks to me. She put her arms around me and kissed me back, and I felt like my heart would break when I finally untangled myself from her. spend cheer was calling, as well as a burning need to suddenly talk to Roman. Seeing as how we kept missing each other lately, I sent him a text with a reminder of when Id be home tonig ht and that I had important information for him. He was so caught up in his conspiracy theories that I wasnt sure if hed want to make time for what hed probably see as a little girls fantasies. Kaylas perceptions despite her difficulties in articulating them had be accurate before. I didnt know what she was sensing this time, but if there was a force inside the Mortensen household, I intended to stop it.