by J. E. Taylor
At least on this ride, I wasn’t worried about my hands igniting the steering wheel like I had been when I drove my mother to the hospital, but even so, the stress of driving drained me. The bites on my neck throbbed to the beat of my heart, and my hands felt as if I would never be able to straighten my fingers.
The ride was only an hour and a half.
I wondered how people who drove long distances felt at the end of the day.
“Pretty much the same,” Tom said and opened his door.
“Huh?”
“Driving long distances.” He smiled and got out of the car.
Alex followed and opened my door for me. He held his hand out and helped me from the vehicle.
“I am going to Paradise Cove,” he said over the car.
“There’s nothing left. I toasted the entire area, but you’re free to check it out.” Tom surveyed the landscaping and then headed for the house.
The log cabin was charming in a way that I couldn’t put words to. It had both modern and rustic charm with large windows that offered ample light and highlighted the arched ceilings.
Alex guided me around the side of the cabin, and a beautiful lake with mountains surrounding us took my breath away. I turned away from the lake view and stared into the large picture window that covered the entire wall facing the lake. The cabin was beautiful. Exposed beams lined the ceiling between clean panels of drywall. A large stone fireplace graced the wall opposite the door. It gave me a sense of peace.
Alex tugged on my hand, and I turned and followed him across the lawn. The little gazebo looked like it needed work, and so did the dock. When he stepped onto an overgrown path, I glanced over my shoulder at the cottage. Tom stood in the window watching us. He waved his hand right before I lost sight of him.
I turned just in time to slam into Alex’s shoulder. He had stopped at the entrance of an area that looked as if it had been charbroiled yesterday. It reminded me of what his backyard had looked like after his father decimated Lucifer.
We stepped onto the blackened moss. It crunched under our feet. When we were halfway across the glade, Alex turned back to the noise behind us. Tom stood just beyond where the charcoal started.
I crossed to the water. Even it looked blackened. I took my glove off, shoved it into my back pocket, and crouched down. I wanted to feel the moss to see if it was actually as crunchy as it sounded under our feet.
The moment my hand connected with the ground, the blackened cove gave way to a different moment in time like a sudden pan of a camera.
* * * *
Tom stepped onto the lush green moss, so different from the blackened blight my hand had originally touched.
“Holy fuck,” Tom said, and his eyes widened at the rabid beast contained in the salt circle.
“Yeah, Lucifer is more of an asshole than I gave him credit for.” CJ crossed to his brother. “He turned Dad into that.”
The thing growled, its gaze bouncing between the two of them as saliva dripped from its sharp teeth.
CJ sighed. “I was going to step in the ring, but I have a feeling he’s too far gone and would try to kill me.”
Tom nodded in agreement, his eyes still glued to the massively scarred hellhound.
“But there is one person he wouldn’t attack,” CJ said, and Tom’s gaze ripped from the beast and met CJ’s.
“Mom,” they both said at the same time.
Mist rose off the frozen water, and the shift in air pulled my attention to the cove. A beautiful woman, one I had seen in pictures at both CJ’s and Tom’s houses, stood a few paces away from the wild dog. Their mother had come down from heaven with just a word. I had a moment to wonder if my mother could breach the divide before the woman’s gaze locked on the beast.
The hellhound’s snarling subsided. His snout rose in the air and he sniffed, and then a pitiful whine escaped. He stretched on the ground, crawling forward until his paws stopped at the salt barrier. He laid his head on his paws.
The woman’s eyes welled with tears. “Jesus, Ty,” she whispered.
That name. I glanced at Alex, but he was so consumed with the vision that he wasn’t looking at me.
The woman knelt on the other side of the salt barrier, and the dog’s head lifted parallel to hers. He whined again.
Her hands moved, breaching the barrier, and cupped his massive jaws.
Tom’s best friend laid a salt ring around the woman, and then she wiped away the barrier keeping the hound from her. He crawled forward and laid his muzzle in her lap.
CJ’s chin dropped to his chest, and if ever a man looked devastated, it was him right now. Tom reached out to his brother, and his hand gripped CJ’s shoulder with such brotherly affection that a lump formed in my throat.
Wonder filled Tom’s eyes. “Look,” he whispered.
The woman’s tears fell on the dog, and light filled each prism, wiping out the blackened form, replacing it with human skin, until it was actually a battered and beaten man lying on the ground with his head in the woman’s lap. Tattered clothing covered his body, and he lifted his head, pushing himself to his hands and knees to stare at her.
His hand rose to her cheek, but his eyes held doubt so strong, I wasn’t sure he believed she was real. But underneath the doubt, it was a look of complete and utter love. A look so familiar to me that I shivered. That was exactly the way Alex looked at me. Tom was right. It was eerily similar.
“Baby, I’m here,” she whispered.
His forehead dropped to her knees, and he crawled closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. His form shook.
“If this is another game, just kill me,” he whispered, his voice hoarse and filled with agony.
“It’s not, Dad,” CJ said, and the man’s body stiffened like he expected more horrors.
The glare he sent CJ scared the hell out of me.
“Dad?” Tom stepped closer, blocking his father’s glare.
Their dad blinked, his eyes refocusing on Tom as he crouched lower just outside the salt ring. His gaze moved between Tom and the woman. Confusion clouded his eyes and wrinkled his forehead enough that I wondered what exactly my father did to this poor man beyond turning him into a hellhound.
When his gaze landed on CJ, his jaw clenched, and the pain in his eyes was deeper than even the pain I had seen in Tom’s memories.
CJ took a step closer, and his father flinched and his grip on the woman tightened. CJ reacted like he had been punched in the stomach. His gaze became frantic, and he stepped over the salt line, putting himself into the same circle as his delusional father.
His father shot to his feet and his hand flashed out, grabbing CJ’s throat as his fury seemed to override every sense he had. CJ’s father’s face screamed murder.
Tom stepped into the circle at the same time as his mother, and they both tried to break the grip his father had around CJ’s throat.
“I wasn’t going to leave you there for...ever,” CJ squeaked.
Alex’s hand clamped down on mine, and we traded a quick glance.
CJ was crying as his father attempted to squeeze the life out of him. He didn’t defend himself. Not even with his father snarling foul curses and promises that he would pay dearly for everything he had done to Jessica. His father didn’t seem to realize CJ was his son. That was as messed up as it gets.
“Ty!” their mother yelled, pulling the man’s gaze to hers. “Let go of our son!”
The order she issued didn’t appear to compute at first, and his incessant blinking announced his confusion. His grip loosened but remained clasped on CJ’s throat.
“Dad,” CJ whispered.
His gaze dropped to CJ’s chest and the ruined jacket before popping back to his face. After a moment, he looked around at where he was, and he dropped his hand and pressed against CJ’s chest like he was testing the boundaries of his sanity.
He glanced at their mother again. “Is...” He stopped and licked his lips with another scan of his surroundings. “Is this real?
”
“Yes. Our boy decided a rescue mission was in order,” she said and glanced at CJ. “Despite the waves it caused upstairs.”
He stepped back and stared at the ground. Each time he began to speak, he seemed to rethink his statements and closed his mouth. Finally, he said, “Paradise Cove?” and looked up at CJ.
CJ gave a weak laugh and nodded.
He was slow to respond but his gaze traveled upwards, and all around at each one of them before landing on Damian. “I... I think I remember...” When his gaze landed back on CJ, he bit his lip and covered his mouth. “He really fucked with me,” he whispered, and tears shined in his eyes.
“Yeah. Just like he screwed with Valerie,” CJ said.
His gaze moved from CJ to Tom and then to their mother and in the next instance, he squeezed all of them together in a tight hug.
“He told me I died in the complex. That everything else was my mind’s last-ditch fantasy to deal with Jessie’s death. He made me watch her die before the chains tore me to pieces. It never stopped... and it never changed.”
His body shook, and his sobs layered over them like a blanket of rain. They held him just as tightly as he gripped them. When his shakes subsided, they all slowly let go of the family hug.
Before their parents disappeared, Tom’s father looked at Tom. “I’m proud of you,” he said and then glanced at CJ. “Both of you.”
With that, both their parents faded, becoming one with the mist.
* * * *
I was still crouched with my hand on the moss. When I stood, light spiraled from the place that I’d touched, transforming the burnt and blackened moss into the lush green that had been in the vision.
Tom’s eyes widened and shot to me.
I gripped Alex’s hand hard while the little light tornado swirled, acting almost like Tom’s mother’s tears had, renewing, erasing the damage Tom said he had caused. Flowers lining the water bloomed bright right in front of our eyes.
“Holy shit,” Tom whispered.
Alex stared at the lush cove. “This is more of what I remembered.”
The light spun into the sky and exploded into an umbrella of fireworks before it faded away.
“Did you just…” Tom stared out at the water, and tears filled his eyes.
I turned, and a redhead drifted across the water holding a little girl’s hand.
“Aye. She did,” the woman said and wrapped her arms around Tom. When their embrace broke, she asked, “I understand you remarried?”
Tom nodded and crouched down to be eye to eye with the little girl. “Hannah,” he whispered and touched her face before glancing at me. “Thank you.”
I shrugged. “For what?”
“For opening the portal to heaven,” he said.
My skin broke out in gooseflesh. I hadn’t done anything consciously. If I hadn’t crouched down to touch the moss, I didn’t think any of this would have happened.
Tom smiled.
The woman glanced at Alex. “Is this our nephew?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with wonder. “Why if he isn’t the spitting image of CJ.”
“Hi, Aunt Raven,” Alex said.
Her smile faded as she glanced at our clasped hands. “So, you’re the one who has all worlds up in arms.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about what is happening in the great beyond,” she said. “And trust your heart.” She turned to Tom. “We need to get back, and so do you.” She stepped close and kissed his cheek. “Come on, Hannah, it’s time to go play in the garden.” She gave us a wink and poof, she was gone.
I understood why Tom had chosen her as his first wife. She glowed with kindness and heart, and she was a ginger just like me.
I looked out at the water and wished for my mother. The surface of the cove shimmered, and I blinked. Tom stepped beside me as the woman I once knew before cancer had turned her into a husk stepped onto the moss in front of me.
“Hollie, I presume?” Tom asked, extending his hand.
My mother looked at his offering and stepped in, giving him a hug instead. “Thank you,” she said. “For everything you have done and everything that you will do for my daughter.”
“You’re welcome,” he said.
She pulled me into a hug next. Her arms were warm and inviting, but I couldn’t help but think this was a dream. That I had somehow short-circuited when I touched the moss. It was only the tightening of Alex’s hand that kept me grounded.
“You are in very good hands,” she whispered in my ear and then stepped back and took a good look at me.
“Did you know I could do this?” I waved my hand in the air.
She shook her head.
“Did you know about the things that are out there?” I asked.
“No. I didn’t. I only knew angels existed because of Lucifer,” she said.
“Why him?” I blurted. I needed to know. What I saw in the time glimpses was a being so hateful and heinous that I couldn’t imagine what the hell my mother was thinking, even with the glimpse of his natural form.
“I found him crawling in the woods. I thought he wouldn’t last the night, so I brought him to my small hunting cabin. I didn’t know who he was, just that he was hurt beyond humanly possible.” She stepped away and stared at the ground. “It was a few weeks before he was strong enough to show me his gratitude, and I was unprepared.” Her cheeks heated. “It was only after that he told me who he was. I made some excuse about needing something at the store and I ran. I don’t know if he ever tried to find me. He certainly never knew about you. But he knows about you now.”
I held on to Alex’s hand while my mother rambled about Lucifer. Hearing what happened didn’t help. I knew I had been a surprise, but the circumstances just compounded my discomfort. This really wasn’t what I wanted to talk about, but I had been the one to ask the question.
“Come on, Alex. Let’s let them have a few minutes alone,” Tom said.
My mother glanced at Alex and gave him a smile. “Just remember who you were and that will guide you.”
He nodded and let go of my hand. It was jarring not having him ground me, especially in such a sacred place. I watched until he and Tom were out of sight. When I looked back at my mother, she was looking at the path, and worry lines formed around her lips.
“Watch out for him.” She met my gaze. “And if Lucifer is ever freed, do not let Alex near him. Otherwise…” She closed her eyes.
“Otherwise what?” My heart clattered in my chest at the thought of Alex being in danger.
“He doesn’t have enough of his soul.”
Her gaze pierced mine, and Fate’s words from the other night came back. The thought of Lucifer taking over Alex’s form repulsed me, and my ungloved hand tingled with nervous energy. I pulled out the glove and slid it on before I did any damage to the cove.
“That boy could be the death of you,” she said.
I didn’t say anything because I already knew he was fast becoming my greatest weakness. Soul or no soul, we were inexplicitly connected, and I only felt whole when I was around him. When he wasn’t near, I was much more on edge.
My mother studied my face. “You’ve already fallen for him?”
I met her gaze. “He calms the fire even better than these.” I lifted my gloved hands.
She crossed her arms. “He may calm your fire-starter abilities, but he ignites something else in you, doesn’t he?”
I shifted and shoved my hands into my pockets. My gaze jumped everywhere except at her, and she cleared her throat. I nodded.
My mother closed her eyes. “Just be careful.” She looked at the path.
“I met CJ Ryan,” I said, trying to move the conversation away from Alex. “He’s just as nice in person as he was on television.”
My mom smiled. “I gathered. His son looks just like him.”
“He sings just as well, too,” I whispered, and heat filled my cheeks.
She glanced up and sig
hed. “I need to go,” she said and gave me a tight hug. “I love you, sweetie.” She gave me a peck on the cheek before her image faded.
Tears blurred my eyes, and I stood in place, feeling the grief of losing her all over again. A hand landed on my shoulder, and I turned, looking up at Tom’s kind eyes.
“It’s never easy to leave here, but we do need to go,” he said and glanced at the rejuvenated glen. “But at least now you know you can come back here and see your mother any time you’d like.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Both CJ and I own this property, and now that this is open again, I’m sure we will be stopping in periodically and not just to make sure the house hasn’t been broken into.” He led me back to the truck.
Alex leaned on the driver’s side door, twirling the keys on his finger.
Tom pulled his phone out of his pocket and stared at the text. The tendons in his neck tightened as well as the muscles in his shoulders. “I’m driving,” he said and tucked his phone away. He held his hand out.
“What happened?” I asked.
Tom shook his head and nodded towards the truck. I climbed into the back seat.
“I can get us there fast,” Alex said.
“No,” Tom said.
I closed the back door because I was too tired to deal with the mounting tension.
Alex handed Tom the keys and opened the back door, shooing me to the other side. Tom didn’t argue with the seating arrangements.
“Buckle up,” Tom said after Alex closed the back door. He started the truck and spun the car around before I could clasp the seatbelt. “And no funny stuff back there,” he added with a glare in the mirror aimed directly at Alex.
“No, sir,” Alex said, but I could tell from his tone, I would probably have to worry about where his hands were.
I stared out the window, processing what had just happened. “So, not only do I have this fire thing and this time jump curse, I open portals.”
Tom glanced in the rearview mirror. “It seems that way,” he said and continued to navigate the roads at a much higher speed than the posted limit. The urgency in his driving didn’t make it into his voice, but it certainly reflected in the tightness of his shoulders and jaw.
