There wasnt enough light in the driveway for me to truly see his eyes, but I knew he was watching me. You want me to?
Did I?
A slim silhouette appeared in the front window: Aunt Val, one hand on her narrow hip, the other holding an oversize mug. They were waiting to talk to me. Or more likely at me, because they probably had no intention of telling me the truth, since they didnt know someone else already had.
Yeah, I do.
It wasnt that I needed him to fight my battles. I was actually looking forward to demanding some long-overdue answers, now that the big lieaka my entire lifehad been exposed.
But I could certainly have used a little moral support.
Nash smiled, his teeth a dim white wedge among shadows, and twisted the key to shut down the engine.
We met at the front of the car and he took my hand, then leaned forward to brush a kiss against the back of my jaw, just below my left ear. Even as I stood in my driveway, knowing my aunt and uncle were waiting, his touch made me shiver in anticipation of more.
Im not crazy. I knew that now. And I wasnt aloneNash was like me. Even so, dread was a plastic spork slowly digging out my insides as I pulled open the front door, then the screen. I stepped into the tiled entry and tugged Nash in after me.
My aunt stood in the middle of the floor, a frail mask of reproach poorly disguising whatever stronger, more urgent sentiment peeked out around the edges. My uncle rose from the couch immediately, taking us both in with a single glance. To his credit, the first expression to flit across his features was relief. Hed been worried, probably because I hadnt answered any of the twelve messages hed left on my silenced cell.
But his relief didnt last long. Now that he knew I was alive, he looked ready to kill me himself.
Uncle Brendons anger lingered on me, then more than a bit of it transferred when his focus shifted to Nash. Its late. Im sure Kaylee will see you at the memorial tomorrow.
Aunt Val only sipped her coffeeor maybe coffeeoffering me no help.
Nash looked to me for a decision, and my tight grip on his hand demonstrated my resolve. Uncle Brendon, this is Nash Hudson. I need to ask you some questions, and hes going to stay. Or else I go with him.
My uncles dark brows drew low and his gaze hardenedbut then his eyes went wide in surprise. Hudson? He studied Nash more carefully now, and sudden recognition lit his face. Youre Trevor and Harmonys boy?
What? My gaze bounced between them in confusion. On my left, Aunt Val coughed violently and pounded on her own chest. Shed choked on her coffee.
You know each other? I asked, but Nash looked as clueless as I felt.
I knew your parents years ago, Uncle Brendon said to Nash. But I had no idea your mother was back in the area. He shoved both hands into the pockets of his jeans, and the uncertain gesture made my uncle look even younger than usual. I was so sorry to hear about your father.
Thank you, sir. Nash nodded, his jaw tense, both his motion and words well practiced.
Uncle Brendon turned back to me. Your friends father was And thats when it hit him. His face flushed, and his expression seemed to darken. You told her.
Nash nodded again, holding his gaze boldly. She has a right to know.
And obviously neither of you were going to tell me.
Aunt Val sank into the nearest armchair and drained her mug, then almost dropped it onto a coaster.
Well, I cant say this is entirely unexpected. Your dads already on his way here to explain everything. My uncles hands hovered at his sides, as if he didnt quite know what to do with them. Then he sighed and nodded to himself, like hed come to some kind of decision. Sit down. Please. Im sure you both have questions.
Can I get anyone a drink? Aunt Val rose unsteadily, her empty mug in hand.
Yeah. I gave her a saccharine smile. Ill have whatever youre having.
She frownedfor once unconcerned with the wrinkles etched into her foreheadthen made her way slowly into the kitchen.
Id love some coffee, Uncle Brendon called after her as he sank into the floral-print armchair, but his wife disappeared around the corner with no reply.
I dropped onto the sofa and Nash sat next to me, and in the sudden silence I realized my cousin hadnt come out to interrogate me or flirt with him. And no music came from her room. No sound at all, in fact. Wheres Sophie?
Uncle Brendon sighed heavily and seemed to sink deeper into the chair. She doesnt know about any of this. Shes asleep.
Still?
Again. Val woke her up for dinner, but she hardly ate anything. Then she took another of those damned pills and went back to bed. I ought to flush the rest of them. He mumbled the last part beneath his breath, but we both heard him.
And I agreed with him wholeheartedly on that one, if on little else at the moment.
Fueling bravado with my smoldering anger, I pinned my uncle with the boldest stare I could manage. So Im not human?
He sighed. You never were one to beat around the bush.
I only stared at him, unwilling to be distracted by pointless chatter. And when my uncle began to speak, I clutched Nashs hand harder than ever.
No, technically were not human, he said. But the distinction is very minor.
Right. I rolled my eyes. Except for all the death and screaming.
So youre a bean sidhe too, right? Nash interjected, oiling the wheels of discourse with more civility than I could have mustered in that moment. At least one of us was calm.
Yes. As is Kaylees father, my brother. Uncle Brendon met my eyes again then, and I knew what he was going to say from the cautious sympathy shining in his eyes. As was your mother.
This wasnt about my mom. So far as I knew, shed never lied to me. What about Aunt Val?
Human. She answered for herself, stepping into the living room with a steaming cup of coffee in each hand. She crossed the carpet cautiously and handed one mug to my uncle before sinking carefully into the armchair across from his. And so is Sophie.
Are you sure? Nash frowned. Maybe she just hasnt had an opportunity for any premonitions yet.
She was there with Meredith this afternoon, I reminded him.
Oh, yeah.
Weve known from the moment she was born, my aunt said, as if neither of us had spoken.
How? I asked, as she slowly, carefully crossed one leg over the other.
Aunt Val lifted the mug to her lips, then spoke over it. She cried. She sipped her coffee, her eyes not quite focused on the wall over my head. Female bean sidhes dont cry at birth.
Seriously? I glanced at Nash for confirmation, but he only shrugged, apparently as surprised as I was.
Uncle Brendon eyed his wife in mounting concern, then turned back to us. They may have tears, but a bean sidhe never truly screams until she sings for her first soul.
Wait, that cant be right. Id cried plenty as a child, hadnt I? Surely at my mothers funeral?
Okay, I couldnt actually remember much from that age, but I knew for a fact that Id screamed bloody murder when I rode my bike off the sidewalk and into a rose bush, at eight years old. And again at eleven, when I accidentally ripped a hoop earring through my earlobe with a hairbrush. And again when Id been dumped for the first time, at fourteen.
How long had I been making fatal predictions, without even knowing it? Had I thrown inconsolable fits in preschool? Or had my youth largely kept me away from death? How long had they been treating me like I was crazy, when they knew what was wrong with me all along?
My spine stiffened, and I felt my cheeks flush in anger. Every answer my uncle provided only brought up more questions, about things I should have known all along. Why didnt you tell me? I demanded, teeth clenched to keep me from yelling and waking Sophie up. Id missed so much. Wasted countless hours doubting my own sanity.
When what I really should have been doubting was my humanity!
Im so sorry, Kaylee. I wanted to. Uncle Brendon closed his eyes as if he were gathering his thoughts, then met mine again, and to my surprise, I realized I believed him. I started to tell you last year, when you werein the hospital. But your dad asked me not to. The damage was already done, and he hoped we could wait a little longer. At least until you finished high school.
Thats what theyd hoped Id have more time for! Not life, but a normal, human adolescence. A noble thought, but somewhat lacking in the execution
Thats what theyd hoped Id have more time for! Not life, but a normal, human adolescence. A noble thought, but somewhat lacking in the execution
Im surprised your little farce held up this long! I found myself on the edge of the couch as I spoke, Nashs hand still grasped in mine. He was the only thing keeping me seated as I vented the geyser of anger and resentment threatening to burst through the top of my skull. How long did you think it would be before Id run into someone on the verge of death?
Uncle Brendon shrugged miserably but held my gaze. Most teenagers never see anyone die. We were hoping youd be that fortunate, and we could wait and let your dad explain all thislater. When you were ready.
When I was ready? I was ready last year, when I saw a bald kid in a wheelchair being pushed through the mall in his own private death shroud! You were waiting for him to be ready. For my father to finally step up and earn his title.
Shes right, Brendon, Aunt Val slurred, now slumped in her chair, her linen-clad legs splayed gracelessly. I watched her, waiting for more, but turned back to my uncle when she lifted her mug to her mouth instead of speaking.
Why keep it a secret in the first place?
Because you Aunt Val began again, gesturing in grand sweeps with her half-empty mug. But my uncle cut her off with a stern look.
Thats for your father to explain.
Its not like he hasnt had time! I snapped. Hes had sixteen years.
Uncle Brendon nodded, and I read regret on his face. I knowwe all have. And considering how you wound up figuring it out he glanced apologetically at Nash I think we were wrong to wait so long. But your dad will be here in the morning, and Im not going to step on his toes with the rest of it. Its his story to tell.
There was a story? Not just a simple explanation, but an actual story?