Angel Of Mercy (Cambions #3) (16 page)
All of their concerned faces had me asking the question. “What did she do?” I croaked.
“Let’s not talk about this right now. We need to get you home,” Luke said.
Maggie walked over. She looked reluctant to talk to me. I couldn’t remember if she had ever seen me when that other part of me was in control. Licking her lips, she said, “That was some scary mess, Eme.”
Embarrassed, I nodded, unable to form words.
What I didn’t expect was to end up in the den explaining to my mom that I’d gone to a party when I was grounded.
“Why did he take you there?” she asked and glared at Luke.
Fessing up, I said, “It wasn’t his fault. I went with Maggie. Luke showed up later.”
“I can’t understand you, Mercy,” Mom said, looking at me with angry eyes. “You break the rules and find yourself under attack. You have a total disregard—”
Before I could speak up for myself, David chimed in, “You can’t keep her locked up, especially when you insist on working late. You’re hardly home these days.”
“I should be able to trust my daughter. And I used to before we came here,” she threw back. “And still we know basically nothing about these demon hunters.” David grimaced like there was more he wanted to say, but didn’t argue.
“What happened?” she snapped, turning back to us. I gave everyone the version of the events I remembered, up to the fight and getting stabbed in the gut. Then I’d lost consciousness. “I handled the fight.”
“Really,” Luke said. “You were nearly killed.” I turned back to look at him. He was angry. My demon must have really ticked him off. I looked at Flynn, who looked away from me. Maggie squeezed my hand. I’d call her later to get filled in on the missing parts.
“Did we find out anything from them?” Mom asked. “That is before you let them get away scot-free.”
Turning to my mom, I said, “We are not going to kill people.”
Luke said, “Do you know what it told them? She commanded them to do something.”
I paled. “No.” Fisting my hands, I felt like a fool. I’d bargained with the demon and lost. She hadn’t killed them, but I had no idea what she’d told them to do.
“Flynn, you should tell them what you found out.” Luke’s voice sounded emotionless.
“Nothing more than the others. They are staying at a hotel in town. Nothing fancy. They get orders through the same website. I couldn’t get much more because whatever McKayla told it to do caused them pain when I asked it for further information.”
“Why are you calling her McKayla?” Mom asked.
Luke jumped in. “It has a different personality. We couldn’t call it Mercy.” His hurt was evident and broke my heart because I was obviously breaking his.
Mom nodded before Luke spoke again. “Besides, the real problem is they had this.” Luke held up a black dagger, one that looked similar to the one Sebastian had given me. It didn’t have the fine gold detailing as the one I had, but the stone was the same. “It’s a bloodstone dagger. It can kill demons.”
He went on to explain how it had hindered my healing. A lot of talk ensued about where the demon hunters could have gotten it. Luke explained that it was nothing the angel’s forged. He only knew of the weapon but never possessed one. I wasn’t sure if I should speak up. I needed to talk to Sebastian. They all knew. He had to lift the threat if I told.
“Flynn, you should keep it,” Luke said and handed it to him hilt side. “It will help to keep her safe when I’m not around.”
Flynn ignored the dagger in his hand and spoke up. “Spring break is next week. I suggest we get out of town.” Everyone looked at him. “What? I for one don’t want to sit in the house all week.”
“It’s probably a good idea,” David said.
As one, we all turned with anticipation towards my mom. Her eyes were narrowed.
Flynn went on. “They know where we are.”
Not wanting to leave Flynn to defend his idea alone, which sounded awesome, I said, “Maybe a change of scenery would throw them off our trail.”
“And what if someone tries to contact Flynn or Luke about a meeting. Someone needs to stay here,” Mom said.
David stepped to my mom. “Look, we can stay. They can go on their own. They’re good kids. I can have my company jet take them somewhere. It’s not like they are going to do anything there that they can’t find a way to do here.”
Maggie said, “I don’t know about anyone else, but I like the idea of being somewhere far from here if I turn furry.” She shivered. My mom’s eyes softened for the first time in a long time.
“It’s a good idea. Tom could come with us,” Luke said.
“Where would you guys go?” Mom asked, sounding like she was coming around to the idea.
Everyone looked around before throwing out popular destinations. Mom had an argument for each. The prevailing one was that being around a bunch of other people defeated the point of going somewhere else. A hunter could be among them.
“We could go to my dad’s” Luke threw out. But that was shot down.
“Where would us furry go for a run with the full moon?” Maggie questioned, thinking about the Hamptons.
David stared at his son who looked more haggard than ever. The shadows never left Flynn’s eyes. “I can go search for a private destination. I really think you guys need a break from all that’s going on.”
Pressing her palms in her eyes, she said, “Fine. Give me a minute.”
Stepping out of the den, we all watched her leave the room and didn’t speak for a few minutes. It was if everything hung in the balance until she spoke.
“Do you think your parents would let you go?” I asked Maggie breaking the silence.
Giving me a green eyed gleam, Maggie said, “Of course. Especially if your mom says it’s okay.” Well, this was true. My mom was pretty conservative. Maggie’s parents sometimes based many decisions of what Maggie could do on whether my mom was cool with it. Still, her life was a lot freer than mine. My chains had been invisible because I’d always followed mom’s rules. But now, it was easy to see how restrictive my life had been before.
Shoving her hand through her blonde hair, Mom stepped back into the room. All went quiet again as we waited for the verdict. “I have an idea of a safe place where you guys can go.”
She had the full attention of the room. I did what no one else seemed willing to do. “Where?” I asked. My voice sounded tinny and nervous. I had this strong feeling what she was about to say next would change my world forever.
“An island off the coast from here.”
Always able to count on Maggie to speak up, she said, “Are there any islands off the coast of Maryland?”
Mom smiled a bit before she said, “There are two. One is hidden.”
Another secret she’d kept from me.
David looked uneasy. I couldn’t tell from his expression if he knew what she was about to divulge.
Knowing the hidden island was the key to this conversation, I asked, “Whose island is it?”
Mom looked at each of us in turn before finally saying, “Ryck Starr.”
Maggie stood and fanned herself. “Oh my god, Oh my god. You know Ryck Starr.” She practically leaped on my mother. And who didn’t know that name. He was the biggest rock god out there right now. His metal band was one Flynn rocked on the ride to school a number of occasions.
“He is so hot,” Maggie said, continuing to fan herself.
Ryck’s arms were covered in extraordinary ink. He had piercings on top of piercings. His blonde hair was tinted pink at the tips and styled similar to Flynn’s, which showed Flynn’s source of style inspiration.
“He’s also my father,” Mom said silencing the room and bringing Maggie to her knees. She sat again.
“How?” Maggie managed. “He’s like twenty and you’re like—” She stopped herself in time as Mom gave her a look that warned her off calling her old.
“Well, he’s not. He’s probably older than time,” Mom said.
“He’s full demon, isn’t he?” Luke asked. He sat leaning back, next to me on the couch. Maggie was pressed to my other side in sister solidarity.
Mom didn’t answer. I stood. There were things that I wanted to shout but it wouldn’t have been respectful. I headed to my room tired of the lies and secrets.
“Mercy wait,” Mom said catching me in the foyer.
I spun around. “For what? You said your parents were dead.”
Searching my eyes, I waited for her to tell me again that she couldn’t give me the truth. “They are to me,” she said.
“What does that mean?” I asked before realizing asking her anything was fruitless.
“My father
is
a demon Mercy. He doesn’t care about me. He has no morals and I don’t want you around him.”
Giving her the,
you’ve got to be kidding me
look, I took a page out of Maggie’s book. “Then why are you sending us to his island?
“He’s on tour. He won’t be there the entire week. He said his staff is on vacation but will stock the place before you go. Plus the island is hidden. I know you will be safe.”
Okay, I thought. She actually sounded reasonable. “And your mom?”
Looking a way for a second, she met my eyes. “My mom was human and died giving birth to me.”
This wasn’t news, just a confirmation that I’d at least been given the truth about that. Not saying anymore because what was there to say, I headed back into the den.
Things moved pretty quickly after that despite the late hour. Back in the den everyone was on their phone. Maggie spoke up and waved my mom over. When she handed her the phone I figured she was getting her parent’s permission.
David was talking about date and time to someone on his cell. I assumed he was setting up a flight time.
Flynn and Luke were also talking to people. Snatches of conversation said Luke was on the phone with Tom, and Flynn was on the phone with Brent.
I quickly dialed Sebastian but he didn’t answer. Not sure what to make of that, I didn’t leave a message. I’d try him again later.
“Eme,” Maggie said. “Can I borrow your phone?” I didn’t have anyone else to call, so I took it out of my pocket where I just placed it. “Thanks,” she said before quickly dialing a number with deft fingers. “Doug, it’s me. I’m using Mercy’s phone.”
Stepping away to give her privacy, I headed out to the back. Sitting on one of the deck chairs, I looked out to the expansive back yard.
Not long after, a felt a hand on my shoulder. I’d heard the door open but hadn’t looked back to see who it was. Now, I peered in to ocean blue eyes. He looked troubled and I wasn’t sure which Luke was here. That bothered me.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
With a mini smile, I said, “Yeah” and then turned my focus back out to the scenery. He sat in a nearby chair.
“Your mom?”
It was easier to confess what was bothering me by explaining what happened. When I finished, I added, “It’s just I’m tired of all her secrets and lies.”
“I think she believes she’s protecting you,” he said.
“I get that. But what was she protecting me from in not telling me her dad was alive and he’s a demon? I mean what does that have to do with this all mystery of my existence?”
Before he could answer, the gang showed up. The glowing light from above the back door illuminated Flynn grey paler making him look more of a sickly yellow as he and Maggie sat at the table.
“This should be interesting,” Flynn said flippantly. My eyes shot to his. “I mean, the four of us, plus Tom, Brent, Doug, Sara—”
I sat up straight in my seat and looked at Luke. “It wasn’t his decision doll face. It was mine. She’s my plus one,” Flynn said, smugly.
I felt like Minotaur with smoke blowing out of my nose. My hoof would have struck the earth to shake it preparing for the kill. If I had them, I would have impaled him with my horns. He only smiled at my discomfort. Luke shrugged and I said to Flynn, “You are an asshole. She wants to kill me and you’re bringing her along. Great.”
“She’s reformed,” Flynn said. “And I need company.” He spoke with all the innuendos of the world laced in those words. He needed a bed partner.
“Wait a minute. The ho wants to kill you?” Maggie asked.
Rolling my eyes, I said, “Yeah, newsflash. Sorry, so much has been going on, I forgot to tell you.”
“How can you forget something like that?” she asked.
“I was trying to forget.” And Flynn was doing his very best to make me unhappy. “What are you going to do about Doug?” I asked, trying to take the heat off of me. I hadn’t meant not to tell her.
“He’s going to talk to his parents in the morning,” she said. Then she looked at Flynn. “He may need your dad to talk to his parents.” Shifting her gaze to me, she said, “Your mom is going to talk to my mom in the morning.”
Flynn said, “Brent is looking forward to this.” Then he smiled at Maggie. She rolled her eyes. I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Why are you being such a jerk?” I challenged.
Pointing to himself, in all innocence he questioned, “Me?”
“You just want Maggie and me to be miserable,” I stated because it was fact.
Cocking his head to the side, he said, “Why would you be miserable?”
Luke jumped in. Scooting over closer to me and placing his hand on mine, he said, “Look, if Maggie and Doug are going, Tom has to come. And it’s a full moon. Brent still needs supervision during the change. So he has to come too.” Putting his arm around my shoulder possessively, he said just to me. “I can’t stop him from bringing Sara. It’s his Dad’s jet.”
“Alright, get a room,” Flynn chided.
“Like you have a problem with PDA. You invented the word,” I sneered.
“Let it go,” Luke intervened. Tension continued to grow between Flynn and me as we traded angry stares.
With a screech, Flynn’s chair scrapped back as he stood. “I’m beat. It’s been a long night.”
Maggie looked at him, then nervously back at me. It was clear Flynn and I both had words for each other that weren’t nice at all. “Your mom said it was okay for me to crash here.”
“Is that what you were telling your parents?” I asked. I had thought it was a bit late for her to call about Spring Break plans.
“Yeah,” she huffed. “And wouldn’t you know it. They asked to speak to your mom like they didn’t trust me or something.”
“Oh,” I said. Maggie usually got away with murder.
“Apparently, Liam called to see if I made it home. And when I hadn’t, Mom was worried and just wanted to make sure I was safe,” she added, gesturing air quotes with her hands. “Your mom is going to call my mom in the morning about the trip.”
“You can crash in my room,” I said.
Maggie looked over at Luke. “It’s cool. Your mom said I could sleep in any of the rooms.”
Flynn, who hadn’t yet left said, “I’ll show you to one.”
Nodding, she followed him back in the house leaving Luke and me alone.
“Are you staying?” I asked quietly.
He smoothed down some of my flyaway hairs and said, “I haven’t been home much these days. I should probably go home and check on my mom.”
Selfishly, I said, “She’s probably sleeping right now.” I gave him a sly grin.
Smiling, he said, “You’re right. She most likely is.” Then he added, “I’ll come to your room after I talk to Flynn.” About what, I wondered. But I didn’t ask.
I nodded and we went back inside. Mom wasn’t downstairs, so it was probably a good thing that Luke didn’t follow me straight to my room. We headed in opposite directions once upstairs. Maggie popped her head out of the second door on the right on my way to my room. She wore a tee shirt that hung low on her thighs and read,
That’s What She Said
. Immediately, I knew Flynn had let her borrow it. I felt my teeth grinding. But I had no cause to be upset.
“You and Luke?” she said softly looking down the hall as Luke disappeared in Flynn’s room.
“He’s stopping by later,” I said softly.
She nodded. “I figured you two—” She didn’t complete the thought.
Ignoring her, I said, “I could have given you something to wear.”
“That’s what he said.” And she laughed more to herself. I smiled but didn’t totally see the humor in her statement.
“I’ll see you in the morning then.” I headed off and she nodded. I shouldn’t be mad that she was wearing Flynn’s shirt or that he would have said something that struck some small cord. It was like he wanted to be the bane of my existence.
Closing the door to my room, I got ready for bed. I put on a white tank and shorts and pulled my hair back in a ponytail and waited for Luke to show up.
I’d almost fallen asleep when the bed dipped. Safe in his embrace he whispered, “I thought I’d lost you.” And there wasn’t any more talking. He silenced any conversation. “I just need to hold you.”