The soft scuff behind me gave me warning, and I spun, trying to force Ellasbeth back. Any more fear in the air might give Felix the strength to completely break Ninas mind.
I told you to stay out, I hissed, pushing her into the hall.
Oh my God! Ellasbeth said as Nina bucked to get Ivy off her.
Im not sick! With Nina, I can help!
Ellasbeths face was white, and she looked into the kitchen as I shoved her into the living room. This is a madhouse!
Right now, I couldnt argue with her, but shed caused the problem to begin with. We told you not to wake her up, I said as I finally got the woman into the living room. Sit down and shut up. I pointed to the couch, and she sat.
Shaking, I went back in case Ivy needed me. Theyd sat up, Ivys long legs wrapped around Nina as she held her unmoving before her in her lap. Ninas hair was everywhere, mixing with Ivys, the ponytail long gone. I could tell just by Ninas snarl that Felix was still in her.
Together, Ivy breathed, the strain showing in her arms as she held Nina unmoving. Tears made her cheeks shine, and I ached for her. I will let go of you as you let go of him. I know he fills you with power, but you have to let him go, she demanded. It was an addiction on both ends, and Ivy had survived both its presence and absence.
Ah, Ivy? Jenks said, his dust a thick, dark green falling from the overhead rack. Is that such a good idea?
I looked at my shoulder bag. My splat ball gun was in it, but before I could move, Ivy whispered, I trust you. She kissed her, and then let her go.
Wait! I cried out, reaching to tap a line as Nina sprang from her, spinning into an ugly crouch.
Ivy reached out a trembling hand. Nina. I love you. Leave him.
No! Nina howled, the sound raging from her with the strength of the undead, and then her tension broke and she collapsed.
Ivy lurched forward. Catching Nina, she pulled the woman to her, rocking Nina, gentling her head to her shoulder and whispering. Nina stiffened, and then she began to cry in great gasping sobs.
He came! she cried, words hardly recognizable. Ivy, he came in my dreams. I didnt even know. I cant do this anymore! I just want it to stop!
I exhaled, shaking as I wiggled the knife out of the wall and set it gently in the sink.
You didnt hurt anyone, Ivy was saying, holding her gently now. Its okay.
He wanted me to kill you!
Tears still spilling from her brown eyes, Ivy took Ninas face in her hands and smiled at her. You didnt hurt me. Look at me. Look at me! Ninas sobbing hiccups eased, and she blinked tearfully at Ivy. Its okay, Ivy said firmly, even as moisture shined her cheeks as well. Im so proud of you.
It was over, and as Nina continued to cry, I went to get her a glass of water. That was fun, I said as the tap ran, then looked up as Ellasbeth was suddenly in the doorway, an unusual silence in her stance as she took everything in, the chairs knocked aside, the knife in the sink, the women sobbing on the floorone in relief, one in love. Maybe now she understood. Maybe now shed know Ivy was trying to save a strong, intelligent woman from a circular trap. And if she didnt, then the hell with her.
I told you not to wake her up, I said, fingers trembling as I turned off the water and took the glass to Nina.
Ivy slowly stood, extending a hand down to help Nina off the floor. It wasnt her fault, Ivy said, and Nina bobbed her head, thanking me as she took the water and gulped at it.
Jenks, go open the front door, I said as I shoved the window open all the way. We need to air the place out.
Got it, he said, then darted off to work the series of pulleys Ivy had come up with for him to open the heavy oak door.
Ellasbeth still hovered in the doorway, a new understanding in her. Im sorry.
Ivys expression was empty. It wasnt your fault. He attacked her in her sleep.
Still, Im sorry. I didnt know.
It was the first honest thing I thought Id ever heard from Ellasbeth, and I almost liked her as I leaned against the counter and just . . . breathed. You did good, Nina. It wont be so hard next time. I promise.
Nina managed a smile. Thank you.
There were tears in Ivys eyes as she helped Nina to the table, tears and love for both of us. The love for me in the past, and the love for Nina in the future. And somehow, as the four of us women slowly picked up the threads of our lives and began to awkwardly weave them anew, it didnt hurt anymore.
Eight
Ray was a comfortable armful of quiet as she sat on my lap in the kitchen, her eyes on the book that Lucy had brought in from the toy box I had for the rare occasions that Trent brought them to the church. Even the distraction of Jenkss kids couldnt take her attention from the picture book. Still, she didnt reach for it when Lucy ran to me, collapsing on my knees in excitement and a bid for my attention.
Sasha! the little girl said brightly as she shoved the book at me and ran out.
Thats the name of her pony at the Withons estate, Quen said, and I scrambled to catch it before it slid to the floor. Only now did Ray reach for it, and I shifted her so she could hold and turn the pages herself. I didnt think Rays reluctance to reach for the book earlier was because she was afraid of her sister, but simply knowing that her distractible sibling would keep it if Lucy knew Ray wanted it too.
I didnt think horses were that important to the Withons, I said, and the man turned his attention from his daughter to the hallway. Ellasbeth and Trent were having a chat in the back living room, one that was probably long overdue, and their voices were a soft murmur.
The pony was my idea, he said, his motions smooth as he moved deeper into the kitchen. Quen wasnt small, but a person tended not to notice him unless he wanted to be noticed. Both he and Ray had dark hair, uncommon to elves. It might be a remnant from the elves recently dropped tradition of hybridizing with humans, but I doubted it. Quen was one of the most elven elves I knew, clever, powerful in his magic, and graceful beyond reason.
I didnt want their horsemanship to suffer in the time spent away from home, he added as he clasped his hands behind his back, stoic as he waited for Ellasbeth to say what she wanted so he could, hopefully, take her back to the airport.
I smiled as Lucy ran back in, blond hair flying. Belle! the excited toddler shouted, dropping a sparkly fairy doll on Rays book and running out, pixy girls in tow. Ray promptly threw the toy after her and returned to her book. The tension from the back room was ebbing, but I was still glad that Ivy and Nina had excused themselves shortly after Trents arrival. Belle, too, had retired to the garden. The wingless fairy was a brilliant strategist, but she was pretty much helpless against the grasping toddlers, especially when Rex, Jenkss cat, had dumped her to hide under my bed at the first little-girl Here kitty, kitty.
Jenks, stay in here, I said when the pixy rose from the windowsill to follow her out.
I cant hear crap from here, Rache, he muttered as he landed on my shoulder. Ray looked up when his dust fell on her fingers. Slowly she turned her palm up, mesmerized at the spot of sunshine she could touch.
Thats the idea. Id watched Ellasbeth turn green when the girls had greeted me with enthusiasm, then white when theyd toddled off to the toy box, clearly knowing where it was.
Quen smiled thinly, finally lowering himself to sit on the edge of a chair beside the fridge. Any problems while I was gone? he asked, looking at Ivys new monitor in envy.
Apart from the recent magic misfires and no functioning undead vampire in the Cincinnati area? I helped Ray turn the page, and she sang out, Thank you, charming me with her little-girl voice. No, I said softer, the scent of her hair tweaking my maternal instincts. Mr. Ray and Mrs. Sarong have started campaigning for their picks for the next mayoral battle, and theres been some noise about the parks Trent made in the abandoned warehouse district being better used for commercial, meaning gambling. Couple of death threats with low creditability, but I forwarded that to you.
Quen squinted as he noticed the scratches Bis had made on the ceiling. Thank you.
His attention fell to Lucy as she ran in and dropped a train book on Rays lap. No! Ray demanded, shoving it off, but Lucy was gone.
I leaned to pick it up and set it on the table, now cleared of any and all FIB gathered evidence. Its been my pleasure. Im glad youre back, though. These misfires and increased vampire violence have problem written all over them.
You think the two are linked? he asked, his concern obvious, and I nodded.
From the back room, Ellasbeths voice rose in hurt. Im staying until this matter is settled. If not with you, then downtown. Theres one decent hotel in Cincinnati. The service is lacking, but the food is bearable.
I didnt say you werent welcome; I asked you to not antagonize my staff, Trent said. Martha has been with me since my parents died. Shes not an employee, shes family.
Im sorry. I wasnt aware, Ellasbeth said softly, and I winced. She was being very contritemeaning she was up to something.
Lucy came back in, and Ray looked up in annoyance at the glitter ball in her hands. Ill take it, Lucy, I said, and laughing, the little girl threw it, watching it bounce on the floor before running back into the living room. The ball rolled to a halt and Quen scooped it up.
Hows the weather on the coast? I asked, wishing theyd hurry up.
The lines are intolerable. Id do this for the girls, no one else. He shifted the ball in his hands, watching the glitter move before he set it on the table beside the book of trains. His expression froze when Trent said, Ill have your room refreshed immediately.
Jenks snickered, and Ray patted the dust suddenly spilling over the book. She looked up at him, beautiful as she smiled and held a small hand up for him to land on.
My room? Ellasbeth said. Trent, I was hoping . . .
Her voice cut off at his soft comment, and I cringed. TMI. I was getting too much information. I knew her moving back in with Trent was inevitable, but did she have to bring it up where I could hear it? But remembering how shed flashed that never-returned engagement ring, she probably did.
I couldnt help my sigh. Ray looked up and patted my cheek, and I flushed when Quens brow furrowed in suspicion. So youve been enjoying the work? he asked, and I was saved answering immediately when Lucy raced in with a Bite Me Betty doll.