He shook his head, turning toward her. “It’s just not as easy for me as it is for Damien.”
“How do you mean?”
“We came back, he threw himself into his work. He doesn’t have any emotions to process. His relationship with you hasn’t changed. He’s still your cousin, more or less, you still treat him like family. And that’s great, but it’s different between us. I wasn’t over you before we came here, you realize that. But before we came here, you weren’t married to someone else. I supposed we could still end up together, now we can’t. It’s a lot to process.”
Celine understood what he meant. Her life had changed altogether, although the processing on her end was far easier given that she possessed all the information from both her own life and Josie’s. Still, she often found it hard to reconcile all the information into one life. Josie had been her own person, a separate entity from Celine. She had a family, friends, a job, but she no longer existed. At least not the way she was.
“Michael…” Celine began.
“No, don’t,” he said, waving his hand to stop her. “I’m not… I’m fine. I get it, I’m not making a play for you and I’m not trying to be a crybaby. I just figured it might be easier to process things living away from you and Gray.”
“I don’t have a good answer for you, I’m sorry. I understand the adjustment will be hard, perhaps the hardest for you. Damien, I don’t think, has entirely processed it yet. But he’s got the ability to pretend things haven’t changed much, because for him, they haven’t.”
“Yeah, I know, and it’s fine. I told you, I’m not whining or trying to get you to feel sorry for me, I am just explaining.”
Celine nodded. “Well, in the meantime, you’re very welcome here. And I’ll do my best to make the adjustment as easy as possible on you.”
“Thanks, Celine. I appreciate that,” he said, finally looking at her and giving her a slight smile. Celine returned his smile, hoping that whatever she said offered him some consolation. He opened his mouth to say something else, but before he could, Gray and Millie entered the room. Closing his mouth, he greeted them, then excused himself from the room.
“What’s the matter with him?” Gray asked as he left.
“The housing market in Bucksville isn’t great at the moment, I gather,” Celine answered.
Michael pulled the zipper on his hoodie further up. The air was growing cool as the sun set. It painted the post-storm sky with deep reds, purples and oranges as it slipped below the horizon. Michael stood on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. His conversation with Celine did little to settle him. It was impossible at times for him to watch her with Gray. He had to constantly remind himself that she wasn’t his Josie. She wasn’t the woman he had fallen in love with, the woman whom he had not yet gotten over. He had considered leaving a dozen times, but he had been telling the truth earlier. After what they had been through, he couldn’t return to his normal life. A life of studying marketing campaigns and reading expense reports could never be enough for him. Not now that he realized the true depths of the battle between good and evil. Not when he knew he could help. So he stayed. In time, the sting of losing Josie would lessen. Until then, he would make it work.
He was so caught up in his thoughts he didn’t hear the leaves rustling as someone approached him. “And what is so interesting on that horizon?” Celeste said, crossing her arms against the chill of the evening air.
“Oh, I didn’t even hear you,” he said, startled. “Lost in thought, I guess.”
“Let me guess,” she said, staring out at the darkened sky. “A woman?”
Michael also turned back to search the night sky. “A lot of things.” His evasive answer was calculated. He wasn’t a fan of Celeste. She was party to the misery that Celine endured on her sixteenth birthday and for centuries afterward. Michael did not like Celeste, nor did he trust her.
“Oh, no,” Celeste uttered, sliding her eyes sideways to glance at him. “That particular expression on a man’s face only comes from one source: a woman.” Michael did not answer. “In fact, I’d bet my life you’re out here all alone staring into the night sky because of my sister, Celine.”
Michael closed his eyes for a moment, trying to shut Celeste out. “What do you want, Celeste?” he asked, opening them again.
“Only to help,” she said, coming nearer to him.
He sniggered. “I’m being serious,” she said, batting her eyelashes at him.
“How could you possibly help?”
“I think I can. I understand how lonely you must feel thinking of Celine with Gray, recognizing the history they share.”
“I thought you said you wanted to help, not remind me of all the painful facts that I already know.”
“Perhaps we can find some solace with each other,” she suggested.
“Ha!” Michael said, “You’re a little old for me.”
“Very funny,” she answered, rolling her eyes. “I am being sincere.”
“Seriously? You’re coming on to me?” he asked. “Aren’t you married to the devil’s right-hand man?”
“I wasn’t suggesting anything untoward, only perhaps some companionship?” she said, tracing her finger down his sleeve.
He glanced toward her, her big blue eyes were fixed on him. They were so like Celine’s eyes. He remembered when Celine’s eyes had stared at him like this. There was something fixating about those eyes. He found himself unable to look away. She embraced him as he turned toward her, unable to stop himself.
“That’s right, Michael,” Celeste said, wrapping him in her arms, “let me hold you. I will make you forget all about Celine.”
Chapter 2
“Is Michael still house hunting?” Damien asked. Celine, Gray, Millie and he spent the evening in the sitting room following dinner.
“No,” Celine answered, “did you want a nightcap, D?” She poured a drink for Gray before turning toward Damien for his response.
“No, thanks,” he answered, a perplexed expression on his face. “So, where was he during dinner?”
“Ah.” Celine hedged, reflecting on her earlier conversation with Michael. “I’m not sure. I imagine he might be avoiding me a little.”
“Why’s that?” Millie asked, as she sat back on the couch.
“He’s having some trouble adjusting. It was a lot to accept.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” Millie responded.
“Or me? I realize a lot happened, but I’m okay,” Damien chimed in.
“The situation is a little different for you, D,” Celine said, dancing around some of the social aspects of the issue.
“How?” Damien asked, understanding escaping him.
“She means you didn’t have to accept that she’s married and not as available as you assumed,” Gray said, exposing the root of the problem without sugarcoating it.
“Ohhhh,” Damien said, realization crossing his face. “Right, I guess that would be… awkward, yeah.”
Celine gave him a half-smile. “Yes, so I imagine he’s avoiding Gray and me as much as he can.”
“Perhaps he should go back to where he came from,” Gray said, making his position clear.
Celine rolled her eyes. “You’re not helping. And he considered that. But after everything that happened, I don’t imagine going back to a normal life is an option for him. He’ll come around. He just needs some time.”
Damien put his hand on Celine’s as she sat next to him on the couch. “I’ll talk to him,” he said, giving her a slight smile. “He has plenty of friends here to help him get through it. So, what else can you tell me about this missing painting?” Damien asked.
“Ah, well,” Celine began, “let’s see. Benjamin Abbott painted it in 1791. He was not only a talented artist, but he was a recommendation from a friend. His paintings had the ability to capture a piece of their subject’s soul.”
“She means that literally,” Gray chimed in. “That wasn’t just a figure of speech. The Duke hims
elf enchanted him a few years into his painting career. Ironic that his own creation would end up providing us with protection against him.”
“Yes,” Celine continued, “with a piece of my soul captured in the painting, a piece of me would always remain here. A constant guardian over the house and the family, regardless of what happened.”
“So, I commissioned him to paint Celine, well, Wilhelmina. That was Celine’s alias then,” Gray explained, “and we hung the finished painting in the foyer.”
“And the legend of the protectress painting was born,” Damien concluded.
Celine smiled at him. “You got it!”
Damien was silent for a moment, processing the information. “Hey, on another note, how did you two meet?”
“Yes, I’ve often wondered that myself,” Millie chimed in.
“A story for another time,” Celine said. “Now I think it may be time to hit the hay.”
Damien yawned. “Yeah, I agree.”
Celine looped her arm through Gray’s, also reaching out to grab Damien’s hand as they made their way to the foyer. Millie trailed behind them, announcing that she planned to visit the library before retiring.
The group said their goodnights and were about to cross the foyer to the stairs when the front door opened. Michael, bundled in his hoodie, trudged through the door. The hood was pulled tight around his head.
“Hey, Michael! We missed you at dinner…” Damien said, his voice trailing off toward the end as Michael stalked past as if they were invisible.
“Good night!” Damien called after him as he climbed the stairs.
“He’s being a little melodramatic, isn’t he?” Gray asked.
Celine shrugged. “I guess he needs to work through some things. He’ll come around when he’s ready.”
Gray and Celine left Damien at his room and continued to their suite. “You know,” Celine said in the privacy of their room, “you could be a tad more supportive. They’ve been through a lot.”
“What can I say? I don’t like the guy,” Gray admitted.
“He’s been through a lot.”
“We all have, you don’t see me sulking about it.”
“We are not human, Gray. We have a vast advantage in dealing with things.”
Gray sighed, turning away from her. “I’m sorry, I can’t bring myself to feel sorry for him.”
Celine placed her hand on Gray’s arm. “He’s not a threat, Gray. I realize that might not sound like much but it’s true.”
Gray turned back to face her. “I believe you, Celine. And I trust you, but I lost you for nearly twenty-five years.”
“And a year ago, I was with Michael. Yes, I understand why you don’t like him. But that will not happen again.”
“I won’t let it,” Gray promised.
“Neither will I,” Celine answered, taking his hand in hers.
Gray smiled at her. “I’ll try to be nicer to Michael. I understand that he’s no threat. I’m not sure he understands that, but I do.”
“You are the only man for me, Grayson Buckley.”
“And you are the only woman for me, Celine Devereaux.”
“Good morning, everyone!” Damien said, entering the dining room and heaping a serving of eggs, bacon, and toast on his plate.
“Good morning, D,” Celine answered first, followed by the others in the room: Gray, Millie, Avery and Charlotte. Missing from the house’s adult occupants was Michael. “You seem chipper today, did you sleep well?”
“I did, thanks! No Michael, huh?”
Celine shook her head while Charlotte answered, “Oh goodness, I hope he isn’t ill. Perhaps someone should check on him?”
“Yes, he missed dinner last night,” Avery added.
“I’ll check on him after breakfast,” Damien offered.
“If he is ill, please come get me,” Millie chimed in.
“Yes, that might be a good idea if you checked on him, Millie,” Charlotte agreed. “Perhaps even if he isn’t ill yet, he’s coming down with something. I dare say he caught it off the children.”
“I’m sure he’s fine, perhaps he’s just sleeping in,” Gray suggested.
“Either way, it won’t hurt to check,” Damien said. “I’ll let you know, Millie, if I need your medical expertise.”
Damien devoured the meal in record time, something he often did when he was nervous about something. Celine didn’t miss this familiar mannerism, concluding he must be upset about Michael.
“Okay, I’m going to try to find out what’s going on with Michael,” he said, wiping his mouth before standing to leave.
“I’ll walk you to the foyer,” Celine said, also standing.
Once they were out of the room and alone, Damien asked, “Hey, do you think Gray’s cousin, Alexander, would mind if I visited him and asked him a few questions?”
“No,” Celine answered, “I don’t imagine he’d mind. Why?”
“I had some questions about the painting and some other stuff.”
“Other stuff?”
“Yeah, other stuff,” he said, avoiding her question.
Celine raised an eyebrow at him. “You know you can’t get away with side-stepping the question, D. Not with me.”
Damien scrunched up his face. “Just stuff, like about that Duke guy and stuff. Nothing major, just some background.”
“You know you can ask me anything.”
“Yeah, I do. I didn’t want to bother you with it. I’m sure you’d like to forget about him. I don’t want to be the person plaguing you with questions about something you’d rather forget.”
Celine smiled at him. He was a sweet person and a wonderful friend. She was proud to call him family. Damien was the silver lining that had stemmed from her decision to become Josie. They reached the foyer and Celine squeezed his arm, saying, “He won’t mind, D. And thanks for checking on Michael. You’re a good friend.”
Damien returned her smile. “I hope I can help. I wish it was as easy for him as it was for me. I’m just happy that I still get to be your family, even if I’m not your family.”
“You’ll always be my family,” Celine said, throwing her arms around him in a hug.
“Thanks, Jos…ah… Celine, sorry. I really need to get used to your real name. Oh, hey, before I go up, I know Michael’s searching for a place. Do I need to? Are you sure it’s okay that I stay here? I realize you live here because Gray is Charlotte’s cousin, well, sort of, but it’s her house. I’m grateful for Charlotte’s hospitality, I don’t want to wear out my welcome though.”
“I’m sure Charlotte is thrilled to have you with us. And Max and Maddy love you! They’d miss you if you left,” Celine said, calling attention to the obvious affection from Avery’s children, Charlotte’s grandchildren. “In fact, I think Avery would be quite upset if you left, she thinks you’re having a positive effect on those kids.”
Damien grinned. “I’m glad to know I’m having a positive effect on someone and I will not get kicked out. Well, I guess I’ll head up and see what’s up with him. Are you heading out?”
“Yes, I’m going for a walk. I’ll be on my swing if you want to report back,” she said, winking at him.
“Aye, aye, captain,” he said, giving her a salute before heading up the stairs.
Celine watched him climb the stairs before heading out in the bright sunlight of the fall morning. The air was crisp and cool, smelling of salt from the ocean. Lost in her thoughts, Celine wandered the property. Celine tried to enjoy the scenery, noting the subtle changes already occurring in the leaves’ colors. She listened to the rustle of the trees overhead. Despite the beauty that surrounded her, a nagging sensation still plagued Celine. She assuaged her fears by convincing herself that she needed time to adjust to her new situation. A situation that did not include the constant threat of Duke Marcus Northcott. Convincing herself this was the case, she made her way to the swing overlooking the ocean, her favorite spot. She settled on the swing, kicking the ground to begin the
familiar and comforting swaying motion.
Damien knocked on Michael’s door a second time. He had received no response on his first try. This time he pounded louder. He waited a moment, then pressed his ear to the door. No sounds came from inside. Was he still asleep, he wondered?
He tried a third time, also calling through the door, “Hey, Michael? You in there, buddy?” Again, he received no response. Perhaps he had left the house already this morning before anyone else was awake.
There was one way to find out. Michael’s bedroom and his shared a bathroom. If the bathroom door was unlocked, he could slip into Michael’s room and see if he was gone.
He made his way to his bedroom and through the connecting bathroom. Trying the door, he found it unlocked. He cracked it open a smidge, peering into the room. It was almost black, the drapes drawn across the window. He blinked a few times, trying to make out details in the blackness. He assumed Michael was still in the room, deciding he wouldn’t have left his curtains drawn if he had left. He was also sure he could make out a lump lying in the bed.
Had Michael slept in like Gray suggested? If he had, it was unlike Michael. An early riser, Michael liked to be up and moving before the sun on most days. Was the stress of their new situation taking this much of a toll on him?
Damien stepped into the room. “Michael? Hey, Michael?” he whispered. He received no response. He tried again, this time louder. “Michael? You awake, buddy?”
A groan emanated from the bed. So, Michael was here. “Mike? Buddy? You okay?” Damien approached the bed.
“Huh? What?” Michael answered, turning over to face the direction of his voice.
“You okay? You missed breakfast and dinner last night. We were worried. Are you sick or something?”
“What? Sick? No.” Annoyance filled his voice.
“Oh, ok. Well, I just wanted to be sure. I knocked a few times, but you didn’t answer. So, I figured I’d try the door and check on you.”
“Go away, Damien,” Michael said, turning away from him.
“Oh, sure. Sleeping in, I take it? Did you want me to save you some breakfast or anything?”
Stolen Portrait Stolen Soul: A Shadow Slayers Story (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 2) Page 2
