Was he crazy? Was he only dreaming?
"It's gone and it won't be back." His mom spoke in quiet confidence he couldn't mimic.
"How can you be sure?" Zach's chest still ached from fear, the memory of the hovering knife too fresh to ignore. A silver glint caught his eyes, peeking out from a far corner under the tangled covers. Zach's vision, still hazy from tears, squinted to get a better look.
Mom pulled him up, guiding him to the door. "Let's go downstairs. I bet a sugary snack will do you good. I, for one, could use a scoop of mint chocolate chip. We'll talk more." He was still numb as she hustled him out of his room.
Zach checked over his shoulder, scanning for what had caught his eye as his mom rambled off his ice cream options. But he couldn't find it. He stumbled downstairs, glancing at his mom, who was now sure two scoops were in order. Zach plopped onto the barstool at the kitchen counter, tracking his mom's movements.
His fog slowly lifted as he watched his mom scoop the ice cream. She placed the bowl of heaping green ice cream in front of him.
"Thanks." He took a small bite. The sugary mix of mint and chocolate fell flat on his sore mouth as a thought occurred to him.
Why did she come into my room? How did she hear me?
"Man, this hits the spot." Mom said with a wide grin as she gobbled up another spoonful. Her bright green eyes looked between him and the bowl. "Come on, sweetie. It's your favorite."
Two things became clear as Zach twirled the spoon in the melted green mound. First, what happened tonight wasn't a dream. Second, he was sure his Mom knew more, because if he wasn't mistaken, a knife's tip was sticking out from under the blanket's corner. And it wasn't his.
"I'm not hungry, Mom. I just want to take a shower." He pushed the bowl away as he stood up. Mom came around the counter. His arms wrapped around her, feeling a little embarrassed by his breakdown. "Thanks for... you know."
"No worries, but you can have dish duty tomorrow to thank me," she said, trying to keep it light.
A door closed quietly upstairs. Not surprising someone was up with the racket he'd made. Taking the stairs two at a time, he rushed into his room. Zach grabbed the covers and shook them, waiting for something to fall out. He threw the covers on his bed, checking the floor and under the furniture.
Nothing.
Zach had seen something. He was sure of it. So, where did it go? He kicked the bed and headed for the shower. The hot spray doused him as he inhaled the fragrant soap lathering in his hands, replacing the lingering odor of smoke. He considered his options. Ignore his mom and pretend tonight didn't happen? But that would be futile. Or he'd wait until she brought up last night to prod him with questions. He'd be ready with a few questions of his own for her.
Did you come into my room with a knife and kill a demon?
Do you see demons too?
That should turn the tables... if she told the truth.
Chapter Twenty
Sergio
The house was quiet as Sergio closed his bedroom door. He was off to visit Olivia at the hospital. The past week had been a nightmare for him, but Olivia had a double-whammy with her dad's return and mom's accident. She was struggling but holding it together, and he admired her for it. Whenever Lucia became ill or went into the hospital, Olivia was always there to make him laugh, let him rant, or unload his guilty feelings. This was his chance to return the favor.
Sergio headed for the kitchen and poured himself a glass of orange juice. He glanced up, startled to see Abuela sitting with her legs crisscrossed and her eyes closed. A rosary of worn wooden beads lay across her petite lap. Her thumb rubbed over the bead while her lips moved silently in the age-old prayer. Abuela's fingers slipped over to the next bead, breathing softly while she continued the rosary.
Sergio absorbed her peaceful look as a sense of calm fell over him. Her eyes flew open, and looked at him. He choked and sputtered orange juice on the counter.
"Buenos dias, mijo." Abuela smiled. "Come sit with me." She patted the seat next to her. He finished his drink and wiped up the spill, then came around the counter and sat down, causing the cushion to sag.
"Buenos dias, Abuela." He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Her smile crinkled the lines around her eyes. She turned and cupped his cheeks, holding his face close.
Her eyes scrutinized every inch of his face, making him squirm. She smiled even bigger but let him go. "You look tired. Something's keeping you up at night. ¿Que pasa?"
Don't get on her radar...
"I'm worried about Olivia, that's all. She texts me at night while she's with her mom. She unloads... Not a lot I can do." He shrugged, looking over her shoulder.
"How's her mom?" she asked as her soft hand found his.
"Still the same. Scary that she hasn't come out of the coma. Manny is picking me up to take me over there. Olivia's trying to be strong, but−" He sighed with a heavy heart for his friend.
"I'm praying for her." She lifted the rosary from her lap. "She'll wake up soon. Have faith." She sought his eyes again. "I'm proud of how you're supporting your friend. Olivia's a special girl."
Sergio nodded in agreement. "We've been friends for so long, she's like a sister. It kills me to see her carrying this pain, and I feel so helpless! I want to do more, but..."
She gave his hand a vigorous shake. "Just be present for her. That's all she needs. That's true friendship."
Now a little embarrassed, he scanned the living room. "Where's everybody?"
"Your mama is at the grocery store, and Lucia and Papa are at the physical therapist."
Sergio's shoelaces became his object of interest. "How's Lucia doing?"
"She's recovered well from her hospital stay.... No signs of infection." She leaned over, demanding his attention. "Lucia's in a good place. She's back at school and getting her strength back. She's happy to be back home with the familia. Maybe you two can watch a movie together later?"
Sergio's nodded, but his reply was interrupted by Manny strutting through the front door. He came over and kissed Abuela’s cheek. "Hola."
He nudged Sergio on his shoulder. "Ready?"
"Yep." Sergio moved off the couch, waving as he left.
"Tell Olivia hello," Abuela called. Her eyes tracked him until he closed the front door.
It surprised Sergio when Manny drove into a parking spot instead of dropping him off at the entrance. They hated hospitals. Lucia's hospital stays had left both of them uneasy and weary of suffering that happened inside of it. It was heartbreaking to watch a loved one in pain, mentally and physically exhausting to be helpless.
So why is Manny here?
Manny didn't say a word as he followed Sergio to the room. But under Manny's cool appearance, his vigilant eyes didn't miss a thing. Manny was here for a reason. Was it to check out Olivia's dad or Olivia? No telling or asking, because Manny did exactly what he wanted to do and his reasons were his own.
Sergio stopped in front of the room. He knocked, then opened the door. Olivia, her dad and Zach crowded the twin bed as machines beeped in the background. Olivia jumped up and gave Sergio a big hug. He and Zach exchanged a glance. Zach frowned as he looked back at the bed. Olivia's dad stood and smiled, but it didn't reach his tired eyes. Olivia kept an arm around Sergio, facing her Dad.
"This is Sergio's brother, Manny." The handshake was brief, interrupted by Olivia giving Manny a quick hug. He returned it with a gentle pat on the back. "I'm sorry about your mom," Manny whispered. "If there's anything you need, you contact me. Sergio will give you my number."
So, this is about Olivia... but why?
"That's sweet of you. Thank you."
Manny nodded but didn't step away, instead his keen eyes roamed her face, unsettling Sergio.
"How is she?" Sergio asked, putting a possessive arm around her shoulder.
Olivia shrugged, worry clouding her eyes as she looked at her mom. "No real change. Her injuries are healing, but we're just waiting for her to wake up from the coma. Thank you fo
r being here." Her chin quivered. She looked so fragile, unlike the girl he knew. Olivia didn't deserve this. The same weighted-down helpless feeling he had for Lucia settled over him.
"Your mom will wake up soon, and you'll be celebrating the New Year with her," Sergio said.
Her brow creased, but her eyes widened as she grabbed his arm. "I didn't realize today was New Year's Eve. The days just melt away in here."
"It's okay, Liv. There will be lots to celebrate when she gets home," Zach said.
"I hope so. I wish Mom would just open her eyes. Even for a minute..." Olivia's voice trailed off, leaving behind an unsettling quiet. All heads turned to the bed, thinking what no one wanted to say.
But what if she doesn't?
Manny stealthily moved around to the other side of the bed, giving Zach a chin nod as he passed. He leaned over and whispered something in her mom's ear. They could have heard a pin drop as their ears perked up, desperate to pick up any word Manny muttered, but to no avail. Manny stood, squeezed her mom's hand, and walked back to Olivia. His face was a mask, but his eyes were gentle.
"She'll be awake soon. Adios, bella chica." Manny's eyes lingered on Olivia before he turned and nodded to the room's occupants. He walked out as quietly as he had entered.
Beautiful girl! What!
Three sets of eyes glared at the closed door, but Olivia only paid attention to her mom.
"What was that about?" Zach rasped in Sergio’s ear.
"I don't know." Sergio narrowed his eyes. "But I'll find out."
Chapter Twenty-One
Olivia
Olivia laughed as Sergio shared Manny's reaction to his dad's gift on Christmas morning. It struck her she hadn't laughed since her mom's accident.
"And then he mumbled something about writing his own book." Sergio smirked.
Zach scoffed. "I bet he could."
"But we don't need it!" A smile spread across Sergio's face as he held up his hand.
Zach gave it a high five. "You know it."
A warmth spread across Olivia. What a refreshing change to see, joking instead of arguing. Hopefully, their friendship would continue to develop. She needed them on the same side while they figured out their connection between the demons and their marks of Orion.
Olivia glanced at Dad brushing Mom's hair. He had held true to his word and hadn't pried into her life. She was getting used to him being here, but she caught him a few times looking at her with more to say. Instead, he'd get up and leave or give her a quick smile and turn away.
"Liv," Zach said, breaking her out of her thoughts. "Why don't we take you home? You can catch a quick nap, shower or whatever. I'm sure your crazy cat misses you, too." The guys broke out into a snicker.
"You think it's crazy because it doesn't like you, Boy Scout," Sergio snarked, elbowing him.
When was the last time she'd gone home? A few days ago?
Olivia looked at her mom. "I don't want to miss..."
Sergio leaned over and sniffed her hair. She slapped his arm, but his brown eyes twinkled at her.
"Go home and take a break," Dad urged. "I'll call with any changes."
She didn't want him taking control, but the thought of a hot shower and fresh clothes beckoned her. And she missed her crazy cat, she acknowledged with a smile.
"All right, but I'll be back in a few hours." She stood and stretched.
Dad laid the brush on the nightstand and nodded. He came around to her but stopped, putting his hands in his pockets.
"See you then." He smiled, but something else burned in his eyes.
Not now...
"Bye." She swung toward the door, but her shoulders sagged as she glanced back at her dad. "Um... thanks for being here−"
"Wouldn't be any other place."
She left without comment, unsettled by his statement. He'd been other places for most of her life, so it felt cheap. But if he were to remain here, how would she move past these hardened roadblocks of distrust and betrayal?
The burden of it pressed down on her on the drive home.
Olivia exhaled as she slipped the key into the front door's lock. Her home was her sanctuary, but she didn't realize how much until she faced being here without mom. They were a team, and this was their home base. She stepped through the doorway with Zach and Sergio behind her, mentally ticking off the items she wanted to bring back...
Olivia stopped short in the foyer, the boys running into her.
Someone's been here.
"Hey−" Sergio said.
"Shh..." Olivia whispered, putting her finger to her lips.
The inside air had a chill, but not because the house was cold. It was an icy current, like treading water in the warm lake as a tendril of frigid water weaved between the legs. The hair lifted on the back of her neck. Holding her breath, she searched every corner, but discovered nothing. Filtered light fell through the windows, casting long shadows. Her fingers fumbled on the wall for the light switch. She flipped it on, but the light did little to ease the house's eerie stillness.
Someone had been here. She knew it, felt it with every tissue in her body.
But were they still here?
She gasped when she spotted what she'd been seeking. A picture frame face-down on the entry table.
"What?" Zach whispered.
Her hand shook as she reached over and lifted it. Staring back at her through shards of broken glass was a black-and-white photograph of her and Mom. The once joyful picture shifted into one of foreboding. She scanned the shelves, discovering more frames faced down too.
Olivia strained to pick up any sound over the pounding rush of blood in her ears. She glanced back at the startled boys, showing them the frame. Sergio paled, while Zach's eyes narrowed as he scanned the room.
Nothing. Not a sound.
She placed her hand over her mark, but it didn't throb. Zach and Sergio did the same and shook their heads.
They must be gone...
"Where's Thunder?" whispered Sergio.
Olivia gripped the shirt over her heart. Thunder always greeted her at the door. He didn't hide from her. Where could he be? She dashed toward the kitchen. The boys followed, leaving the front door open. A lingering odor hit her as she rounded the corner.
Sulfur.
Same as the coffee shop and Red Rock.
"That smells like demons," Sergio hissed, his breathing ragged. He stepped back toward the open door. "We've gotta get out−"
A thud came from upstairs. A startled cry escaped Olivia as their heads snapped up to the ceiling.
Fearing for Thunder, Olivia bolted for the staircase. Not heeding the boys' cries, she darted up the stairs, but nothing met her on the landing. The bedroom doors were shut. Except hers.
Run!
Her heart slammed inside her chest as she stepped closer. The small gap was enough for Thunder to get inside her room.
Meow.
His muffled cry came from within. She started toward it, but Zach pulled her back.
"No, it's too dangerous. It could be a trap," Zach pleaded as he tried to pull her downstairs.
She yanked her arm away and rushed through the door. The dark room ignited her panic. Olivia ignored the odor and the clanging in her brain to run.
Meow.
She turned to the closed closet. Zach and Sergio stood at the doorway.
"Thunder," she whispered.
He pawed against the inside of the closet door as his meowing grew more insistent.
Olivia's sweaty hand settled over the knob and twisted. She flung wide the door, jumping back. Her startled cry filled the bedroom as a gray streak leaped out and jumped on her bed. His ears were tucked back and his tail swished furiously, while his narrowed green eyes peered at her, issuing a guttural growl.
"Hey, kit-kitty!" She plopped on her bed. He hopped into her lap, rubbing his body against her.
Four sets of eyes looked into the shadowy abyss of the closet.
Zach reached over and hit the closet light
switch. It lit up, revealing only a row of shoes and hanging clothes.
"It's gone," Sergio said, hope filling his voice.
Olivia froze. "Look!"
The jar holding her white feather was not alone. A familiar long crow feather was positioned in front of it. She pushed Thunder off her lap. Her hand shook as she slowly withdrew it, showing Zach and Sergio. Zach took the feather from her and twirled between his fingers. Sergio ran his finger across the edges. Ash dropped from the sides, drifting to the carpet.
"It's been in my house, my room." Olivia was stunned. Zach stopped twirling it as she gazed at the feather.
"And it wanted you to know, too. But why?" Zach whispered.
Olivia rubbed her hands over her face. "I'll shower and then go back to the hospital." She stared at the boys, hoping they understood. "I need to talk to my dad. Either he did this when he was mad at me or... or…" She swallowed. "A demon found my home."
Silence settled upon them. Sergio looked back toward the closet.
"A demon would have stayed and hurt me, or dragged me back to Berith. So, I don't think it's a demon. If my Dad returned because of them, he might have assumed placing a feather in my room might scare me into being more compliant with his plan. Whatever that is." Olivia bit her fingernail. "My dad did this, and it's time I find out why."
She walked by them without them speaking a word. Zach and Sergio watched her until she shut the bathroom door.
Olivia threw back the shower curtain and shoved the nozzle toward hot. She peeled off her dirty clothes, tossed them in the corner and stepped into the shower, sighing as the hot water slid over her tired, tense body. She smacked the shower wall with her hand. Dad was a part this chaos. She needed to find out why... and now.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Delilah
Delilah tapped her toe while she waited on the same park bench where she'd met Zar every day since he first approached her. She told herself she wouldn't return. It was too dangerous. She was an angel, he a demon. They were at war with each other. Dare she trust Zar? But no matter how many scenarios Delilah devised for not meeting him, the temptation to hear his story was too much to resist. When Conner, his family, or Michael came to mind, a cold hatred overtook her, blinding her to everything else except...
Mark of Orion Page 16
