Sean
It takes the valley four days to stop burning, and by that time, nothing there is left alive.
“Sweet Arianrhod,” I whisper, following Jack as we sort through the rubble of the cottage for anything salvageable or that Darby may want or need, but there’s nothing. The few pieces of intact stoneware we unearth from the kitchen pulverize to powder as soon as we try to move them. The stone knives splinter to razor shards. The supernatural fire was so hot even the glass is fused into brittle, glistening drips and puddles, the mortar between the cottage’s stones baked into choking dust.
A few charred tree trunks twist skyward in pained supplication like the shriveled, blackened hands of the damned, all that remains of the once achingly beautiful orchard. Of the younger, smaller trees, only piles
Sean I don’t know how many times Ian addressed us before he finally physically pries Sandy and I apart. “Get. Your own. Room,” he says firmly, and I feel like a teenager making out with his girlfriend busted by a parent. “Seriously, Sean. Take her back to your rooms in the packhouse. Now.”Sandy drops to her feet gracefully as the wind. Grinning shyly with those wide, blue, adoring eyes, she bites her plump bottom lip in invitation and I almost ravage her right there in spite of Ian looming over us. Grabbing her hand, I pull her out the door with me, past a grinning Lili bouncing Thomas on a knee, and a taciturn Anna who waves knowingly as we hurry down the hall.“Dammit. I should buy a car.” I curse myself, Sandy trotting with quick steps to each of my long ones in my wake.
Darby “You have wings? Not just the airy sylphid form, you can fly?” Incredulous, Sandy gapes at me.Nodding, I pass Thomas back to Lili so she can change his diaper before swaddling him snugly again, then tucking him into the sling across her chest he likes to sleep in. “Yes. I gather you don’t.”“No. Must not be my element.”That comment attracts more than just my attention. Though her hands continue her work, Lili’s eyes are focused on Sandy.“What is your element then, soulshine?”There’s a hint of the siren voice in Lili’s question and I watch Sandy carefully for her responsiveness, but I needn’t have. Like nearly everyone else, she responds immediately, though
Anna “Are you alright?”It’s the first thing Sandy asks as she, Darby and Ian catch up to us after what seems like an eternity has passed, at least as far as pain is concerned. Of course I’m not alright, I’m having a baby and my guts are being pulled and pushed and squeezed in ways that aren’t remotely comfortable or fun, but I recognize she’s never had a baby before either and I wouldn’t ever say such a thing to anyone, least of all someone trying to see to my comfort and care.“We need to keep moving,” Jack answers, but at that point, even around the pain, I’ve figured it out too.“Something isn’t right. There should be longer between the contractions.” I bend at the waist as another spasm of pain tears thro
Ian “With Leo in our custody and no leads from Mattie, we’re back to square one.” Across from me in the packhouse dining room, Sean pecks away at his laptop in frustration.“Don’t worry, Sean.” Bleary-eyed, Jack makes his way to the coffee and a moment later, plops down in the chair beside Sean. “If you two losers are doing my job, all hell will break loose soon enough. Thank the goddess David’s handling the actual legwork.”I take a sip from my own cup, glaring at Jack over it. “Look who’s bright and chipper and starting shit first this morning. I’m going to have Darby lullaby your kids to sleep all day so they’re up all night.”Jack snorts. “As if she’d have to. They’re sympathy criers. Eve
Ian “These are fantastic, Sean.” Jack’s quick eyes scan the 3D topographical map on the projection screen across the conference room as I turn it slowly at the computer, absent-mindedly stroking against the grain of the scruff on my jaw.“They did turn out nice. I’m pleased with how well the mapping equipment adapted from drones to battery powered, airtight containers.”I feel Sean’s gaze fall on me, but whether he’s looking for more approval or just trying to gauge where the meeting’s going, I don’t know. What I do know is he won’t interrupt my contemplations for either. While he doesn’t think like I do, Sean has an alpha’s mind and understands both short and long-term strategies take time to develop.Unfortunately
Darby “Girl, ya wan’ know wha’ dat baby is? Well, let’s find out.” Vermillion drains her glass, reaching behind her to set it on the sofa table.It’s some beverage she calls a Hurricane but all I know is it’s exceptionally sweet and heavy on rum. Opening the small clutch purse that doubles as a wallet and a cellphone case, Vermillion removes a deck of cards. “Now, I may not be de hoodoo queen o’ New Orleans,” in her Louisiana drawl, the name comes out as ‘Na’Arlans’, “but I tell ya, girls, I ain’ never been wrong ‘bout babies.”Leaning forward so she can reach the coffee table in front of Kasey, Vermillion shuffles the cards. She waits as Anna and Lili draw an oversized ottoman up so they can see. Kallie crowds close
Leo Fucking Christ. Am I dead?I haven’t even opened my eyes yet and I feel like all the worst parts of having the holy hell beat out of you and getting a concussion by slamming your head into the steering wheel in a head-on collision got hitched and moved into my body. I groan weakly, and even the sound feels like it’s splitting my head open.I can’t be dead. This hurts too much.What the hell did she do to me?Laying there another long moment, I force my brain to remember the last several hours. When nothing is forthcoming, I open my eyes, looking about with another groan.Bright light rings the edges of the black-out window coverings like a full solar eclipse and my head throbs mercilessly. Great, now I’m stuck here
Sean “Lemme get dis straight.” Big Easy leans back in his chair, burly arms crossed over his broad chest. In daylight, the skull type tattooed mask around his eyes is even more pronounced and adds significantly to the impression of wariness. “All ya’ll someting extra. Ever’ single one o’ ya in de Candlewood leadership.”Jack raises his hand. “I’m normal.”A hard snort and hearty laughter explodes from Big Easy’s mate where she’s perched on the arm of his chair and from Tarot in the seat next to him. “Jack,” Vermillion drawls, “much as we love ya, ain’ nobody accuse ya o’ bein’ normal, even if ya didn’t shift in half de time other wolves do.”Facing me, Jack mutters, “Why does everybody always say that?”“Is there really an issue for you, Big Easy?” Leo bites defensively. “Your mate and your sister wield the tarot cards like the Fates. Tarot there,” his eyes light on her and soften, skimming her from head to foot where she lounges comfortably with a sly smirk curling her lips, “she