The Long Lost

by Patti Larsen

  Mom shuddered though it wasn't cold in the car. “I am sorry, Syd,” she said. “And I hope you're right, Mother. But I worry for those two, I really do. And when this all comes to a head, and it will, I fear they will be caught in the middle of something that will force them to compromise who they are to fulfill their family's orders.”

  I spent the rest of the drive working over scenarios in my mind.

  None of them ended well.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Sunlight streamed in the kitchen windows, almost blinding me as I swirled my spoon through the mess of nuts and oatmeal Gram set in front of me. Galleytrot sat at my side, tongue out, eyes eager. I finally slid the bowl to the edge of the table and let him have it.

  Not much of an appetite.

  Gram glared, grabbed a wooden spoon thick with her concoction and filled a new bowl, dropping it in front of me with so much force I had to wipe splatter from the back of my hand.

  “Eat,” she commanded.

  She looked like some fairy tale evil old witch ready to punish me with her glopped up spoon, faded pink paisley apron splotched with bits of food.

  I giggled. I couldn’t help it. My amusement won me a wink and a grin before she pointed at the bowl.

  “I said eat.”

  Okay then. The first bite told me I’d be sharing what remained with my faithful Fey dog. He’d already licked the first one clean and was staring at me with the most rapt attention. While Gram’s back was turned, I shoveled half of mine into his, smiling and pretending to chew when she spun around to face me.

  She knew what I was up to. I knew she knew. But it didn’t matter. Playing these little games with Gram was too much fun.

  I wish the joy lasted. But the moment was shattered by the sound of a car door slamming, hasty footsteps and pounding on our kitchen door.

  Gram hung back, letting me get it. I understood. If it were one of the Dumonts, she’d blow her cover doing something as mundane as answering the door.

  I caught sight of blonde hair and anxious eyes as I unlocked and turned the handle. Mrs. Hammond, Mia’s adopted mom, practically shoved her way through the moment I did.

  “Is she here?” The woman looked the most disheveled I’d ever seen her, even when I’d gone to visit Mia in the hospital when the spirit of the Sidhe princess Cydia overwhelmed my friend. Desperation warred with terrible fear. “I can’t find her!”

  “Mrs. Hammond.” I grasped her hands, feeling her trembling through our contact. “What are you talking about?”

  “Constance!” The woman wept then, as if speaking the name opened a floodgate of emotion she was unable to control. It took me a moment to understand who she meant.

  “Pain? Mia, I mean?” So many names. No wonder my friend was so screwed up.

  Mrs. Hammond gulped, nodding, unable to speak. I felt Mom beside me, replacing me, her arms embracing the small woman before she led her to the table. Gram deposited a cup of steaming coffee before the shaking Mrs. Hammond. She gripped it in both hands, a lifeline to reality.

  “I’ve searched everywhere.” Mrs. Hammond hiccupped through her tears. Sadness drew her skin downward, making her look old and tired. “She didn’t come home last night, isn’t answering her cell phone or texts.” She snuffled as Mom stroked her arm, a soft touch of magic easing the woman’s panic.

  “I’m sure she’s fine,” Mom said, voice low and soothing. “Dorothy, there are things you need to know about your daughter.”

  I stared at Mom, startled. First off, I didn’t even know she’d met Mia’s mother, let alone well enough to use her first name. Mom tended to avoid normal people, preferring the family. But I supposed it made sense. Mia was one of us now. Mom had to do some research and that meant getting to know Mrs. Hammond.

  But second, and more disconcerting, was the thought Mom might tell her everything. Surely not?

  Mrs. Hammond stiffened immediately, one hand grabbing Mom’s. “You know where she is, don’t you?”

  Mom nodded. “I’m afraid I do.” She sighed. “You’re aware Mia has been searching for her birth family?”

  Mrs. Hammond’s entire body seemed to sag, collapsing in on itself, her face crumpling even as Mom fed her more magical support. Her mouth gaped open, body very still as she struggled to speak.

  Mom rubbed her hand between her own. “Dorothy,” Mom said, “they are here.”

  Mrs. Hammond sobbed once, a deep, tearing sound before falling quiet again.

  “I’m so sorry,” Mom went on. “I should have contacted you last night when I found out.” A frown pinched her forehead. “But I was certain Mia would tell you herself.”

  Mrs. Hammond shook her head violently, though whether to deny Mia’s new family or the fact she hadn’t told her anything was beyond me.

  “Where is she?” Each word was grating, ripped from the woman’s already raw throat.

  Mom glanced at me, real worry in her eyes before returning her attention to Mrs. Hammond. “I’ll make sure she goes home immediately.”

  I shuddered. Of course we couldn’t tell her. I had no idea what the Dumonts would do to Mrs. Hammond if she showed up.

  But it was too late. Gears ground in her head, I could see it on the woman’s face. “The old hotel,” she said, even as Mom’s power pushed against her, trying to hold her back, calm her. I could almost see the threads of blue magic winding around and around the poor woman, but her grief and fear was just too strong. She broke free before Mom could clamp down on her any harder, sliding her chair back, standing. “The people who’ve taken over the hotel. I’m right, aren’t I? Everyone in town is talking about them.”

  Mom stood herself, reached for Mrs. Hammond again, but the woman was backing toward the door. I tried to stop her as she flinched from me. My magic was ready, but even as I let it out Mom was there to cap it and hold me back.

  Mrs. Hammond left without another word. The three of us stood there in the sunny kitchen, silent and anxious as the tension in the room rose higher and higher.

  “You can’t go after her,” Gram said.

  Mom nodded, terrible sadness in her face. “I know,” she whispered. Didn’t move. We all knew why. How could Mom interfere? Putting herself between Mrs. Hammond and Odette could be the very thing to spark the next stage of the horrible old woman’s plan.

  “Miriam.” Gram sighed. “Be careful.”

  Mom shook herself, turned to my grandmother. “I will. But it’s already too late, I think.”

  “For what?” I felt a surge of panic as Mom squeezed my hand on her way past, snagging a wrap from a peg on the wall.

  “Dorothy’s heart is broken,” Mom said, “and things are only going to get worse for her, not better.” She left, the door sighing shut behind her.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Eight

  I was getting very tired of the silent treatment from Alison. Yet again she refused to answer my emails, texts and calls. And while I guess I understood why she was angry this time, I had more right. The last thing I wanted was to watch my best friend turn into her mother, and I know if she could take a step back, Alison would see that was exactly where she was headed.

  Since I could do nothing about the supernatural issues, I figured I’d go back to my mundane ones. Namely tracking down the former cheer squad captain and making her talk to me.

  Minnie and I spent the morning searching. Rosetta rudely told me Alison was out before slamming the door in my face. I believed her, only because I took the time to feel around inside and knew Alison was, in fact, gone. I considered making a pain in the butt of myself just to piss the maid/Chosen member off, but I had more important things to do than torture the woman.

  That fun I could save for later.

  I found myself snickering in the front seat of my car, imagining horrible things I could do to Rosetta while wondering when I’d become so vindictive. And while I knew I’d never go through with any—all right, most—of the plans crossing my mind, I still worr
ied about the state of my well-tarnished soul.

  It was still wickedly delicious, though.

  The drive to the mall was a waste of time. No red convertible and no feel of Alison. It wasn’t until I returned to town, cruising the main strip that I finally spotted her car, feeling the touch of her at the same time.

  Johnny’s. Naturally.

  Though what wasn’t so natural was the sight of her as I pushed through the glass door and entered the diner. Not that she didn’t look herself. Only that she was laughing like she really wanted to mean it.

  And she wasn’t alone.

  Page was the first to spot me, her smirk edgy and making her pretty face really very ugly. She even had the nerve to wave while Alison looked up from her hip-to-hip seat next to the reigning she-bitch. Her laughter vanished, faced paling before she tore her gaze from mine.

  Wow. Really? Just wow.

  Shock number two? Mia was with the cheer squad, looking all polished and Ameline-like, her hair smoothly shining, makeup soft and subtle. She gave me a flat, blank stare, just like her new bestie, the ice queen. I really noticed then how much Mia looked like her family, and Quaid. Why had I never made the connection before? Probably because I was a little busy at the time trying to save myself and my family.

  Fair enough.

  At least there were no Dumonts in their midst. Just the usual nasty cheer crowd. I’d hoped the girls had grown tired of their crap after their last leader, Suzanne, was possessed by the evil spirit now feeding the vampire Sebastian. Their reversion to actually nice people only lasted until Page took up the reins before everything fell apart again.

  Nice to know some things didn’t change. At least I was warned.

  I hesitated then, not sure what to do. I really wasn’t in the mood to deal with Page or her little posse, but walking out now would look cowardly. Did I care? Some. I had one more year of high school to deal with and I refused to show my soft underbelly to the predator staring me in the face.

  Not that Page was near a match for me. But she could make my life hell at times and I didn’t want to encourage that.

  I had just decided they weren’t worth it when Beth stumbled to the table with an armload of drinks. The moment she arrived, the tray just making it before she dropped the glasses, the group started in on her.

  “Stupid, watch it!”

  “Worse waitress ever.”

  “Can’t believe they let someone like you work here.”

  “Have no standards.”

  “They should fire you.”

  “Loser will probably quit first.”

  Enough. Enough, that was it, I couldn’t take it. Enough!

  I found myself standing next to Beth as she shivered and tried to keep her composure, glaring directly at Page.

  “Maybe someone’s forgotten how far she fell once before,” I snarled, “and how worse things could get.”

  Fear flickered in Page’s eyes, but she sneered and rolled them at me. “Who asked you?”

  I leaned forward and flicked the top from her drink, tipping it into her lap. She shrieked, jumping to her feet, hard to do while trapped inside the booth.

  “Oops,” I said. “Sorry about that.”

  She tried to come at me, but I pinned her with my stare. “If you ever, ever say anything nasty to Beth or any of my friends again,” I said, voice low and soft, magic barely in check, “you will fall so far you’ll never get up again.”

  “Don’t threaten me.” Page looked around at the others who had gone silent, shrinking down into their seats. “She threatened me! You heard her.”

  Alison refused to meet my eyes. Mia continued to watch, however, a thin smile on her lips. I ignored them both, focusing on Page.

  “You heard me too,” I said. “And I mean it, Page. You’re only one screw up away from the outside again. Remember that.”

  “How dare you!” Page spluttered and tried to talk back, but she was clearly at a loss. I guess I understood. It’s not like I’m that scary or anything. It’s just hard to be a bully when the person you’re trying to push around isn’t afraid of you and never has been.

  “Enough, Sydlynn.” Mia’s voice was soft, modulated. She sounded like she was emulating my mother. “You’ve made your point.”

  All of the girls focused on her, nodding, their energy tied to hers. It was then I felt it, my anger receding enough. She was using the brother’s trick, influencing the girls with her power. I just couldn’t believe it.

  “I’ve never been so ashamed of someone,” I said quietly to her.

  I surprised her, saw it in the tightening around her eyes, the sudden soft intake of breath. But it wasn’t enough, would never be enough. I knew that now. My friend was gone, lost to the Dumonts and she was now no friend of mine.

  It was too much, losing so much so fast. I had to add one last dig, one more turn of the screw.

  “Did your mother find you?” I straightened as Mia scowled slightly.

  “You know very well my mother was a traitor and is long dead,” she said. Her contempt was so thick it made the other girls flinch, even Beth.

  I shook my head. “Not that one,” I said. “Your adopted mother, Dorothy.”

  Mia didn’t say anything, just stared.

  “She went looking for you this morning. At the hotel. Around 9am.”

  Confusion warred with concern faded to calm.

  “I haven’t seen her,” she said, a lightly dazed tone to her voice, as though she suddenly remembered she had another life.

  “Maybe you should care a little more,” I said. “Then again, you’re a Dumont now, aren’t you? Who gives a crap about the woman who raised you your entire life?”

  She scowled for real this time, all pretense of being like her family dropped.

  “Mind your own damned business.”

  “When your business stops showing up at my front door,” I snarled back, “I’ll think about it.”

  I turned to Beth. “Tell the manager you can’t serve them anymore,” I said. “They don’t deserve you.” I spun back, glared at Alison for a moment. She didn’t move or speak or acknowledge I stood there. I let it hang and hang and hang, making it uncomfortable for everyone, willing her to look up.

  She never did.

  Annoyed, sickened and out of patience, I left them all there. Naturally, the moment I turned to walk out, the Dumonts walked in. I had to tolerate the brother’s smirks, how Kristophe licked his lips at me on the way by, and Ameline’s flat, empty stare.

  Fresh air never felt so good.

  ***

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  It wasn’t until I was fumbling for my keys that I realized someone followed me outside. I looked up into chocolate brown eyes and suddenly wanted to cry.

  So not fair.

  Quaid held himself stiff, about two feet from me, hands stuck in the pockets of his dress pants. I had to admit he looked delicious in his charcoal gray suit, navy blue dress shirt open to reveal the pulse at the base of his neck. I wanted to slide my arms around him under his jacket, feel the silky warmth through the softness of his shirt, listen to his heart beat in time with mine when I pressed my ear to him, getting lost in his smell, his magic…

  It touched me then, his power, reaching out even as he pulled away, and my demon reached back. For a glorious moment, our magic rippled together, the heat of the connection making me gasp and melt sideways to lean against the side of my car.

  Quaid swayed, eyes full of something I knew, recognized. Loved. I almost reached for him, felt the muscles in my hand start to tense, when he slammed his shields in place and cut me off.

  My demon howled her outrage, spitting fury at him while Shaylee wept for all of us. I just held my ground, grateful for once they could balance my two most powerful emotional states while I did what I had to do.

  “What do you want?” Amazing how light my words, how soft. No angst, no fury. Just a question.

  Quaid shuddered, stepped back another foot before holding himse
lf stiff and rigid again.

  “You need to stay away from us,” he said.

  I didn’t answer him, not right away. “How did it happen?” I asked instead. “How did you change so much? Is it their magic, Quaid?” That could be it. Were they being thralled themselves as the brothers did to normals? But no. Mia was finally where she was meant to be and he chose them over me.

  He looked away, squinting into the sunlight. “You can’t understand,” he said.

  “I could,” I said, “if you explained it to me.”

  “I tried.” Quaid’s hands slid out of his pockets, clenched into fists at his side. “You have to stay away.”

  “Oh, don’t worry,” I said, “I’m not going anywhere near you ever again. Not by choice.”

  The sudden pain in his eyes made me falter. What was wrong with him? Why say the things he said only to show me how much he still cared?

  What was Quaid up to?

  Before I could call him on it, he shut down again. “These people are my family,” he said, like I hadn’t heard it from him already, “and they understand me.”

  That sounded so weak. Why was he lying?

  I reached for him on purpose this time, my magic sliding forward, teasing his with a gentle touch. His power surged, grasped mine in an almost desperate embrace before he pulled free again.

  “I’ve made my choice,” he said, breathless.

  “Your parents made choices too,” I said. Time to ruffle his feathers if I could. “By leaving the coven. Why did they really do that, Quaid?”

  He started like I’d told him something shocking instead of asking a question. “They were traitors,” he said. Automatic. Rote. The party line.

  “Were they.” I paused, fingers on the door handle of my car. “I wonder.”

  He spun before I could push him further. “Stay away,” he said. “I mean it.”

  The "or else" hung between us. Yeah, really scary, Quaid. Not.