Flicking my gaze over my shoulder, I take in the relaxed look on his face. “Yeah, he does.” Finally.
“Would you like to come to the kitchen with me for coffee or tea?”
Though I’m tired, I would like to get to know Ann better. We rarely chat alone. “Sure, give me a second to slide on my shoes and throw on a different shirt.”
“Okay. I’ll wait for you.”
I hurry to the closet and slip on some sneakers and pull a sweater on.
As I’m exiting the closet I hear, “Sparks?” from a groggy voice.
“Yes, Nate?”
He yawns. “What are you doing?”
“Going downstairs with Ann.”
He leans up on his elbow and looks over at the three children somehow snuggled against him. Slightly adjusting, not to disturb them, he looks at the open door. “Good morning, Ann.”
“Good morning. I’ve invited Tracey to come down for some coffee.”
“Sparks doesn’t like coffee,” he scoffs. “Or tea,” he adds.
I push his head to lie back on the pillow.
“Why are you even awake? When did you wake up?” he asks.
“It’s okay, Nathan. Come down when you’re up.”
Grumbling, he turns over and throws my pillow on his face. “Mm-hmm.”
Ann juggles a jar of tea leaves and one of coffee beans. She brews my tea first and then grinds down the beans to brew her coffee. It smells like chestnuts and takes me back to my childhood, recalling the scent of Mom’s coffee once.
Ann comes to the table, setting my cup down in front of me. “I made a simple green tea for you, with just honey and lemon. It’ll help. Things are better now?”
“Things are . . . okay.” Uneasy, I veer the conversation to her. “Everything is well with you?”
“Yes. Thank you for asking. Excluding the extended family, all is well.”
I make a small shrug. “I guess family can play a part in your relationship.”
“They can often. In most, they can make or break the relationship, and living with them makes it even harder.”
I frown. “Do you like living with them?”
“I’m like you, Tracey, except I had two other siblings. Though, they were never home, so it was mostly only my mother and me. I’m used to everyone being around now, but when Roseland and I first met, I hated it. Every time I turned a corner, I was running into someone. It drove me crazy, but I adapted to the big family lifestyle. Now, I’m comfortable.”
“This may sound like a crazy question, but do the four of you share a room?”
She chuckles. “No, we’re on a far end of the house. Three bedrooms, a bathroom in our room and the other is in the hall between Cindy and Curtis’ rooms.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I was curious.”
Her brown hair’s pulled into a loose bun, and it wiggles as she shakes her head. “No, there is no problem with that. I don’t mind answering.”
The tea warms me, soothing my sore throat I didn’t realize I had. I don’t like tea, but this is fine.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Peering at her over the bridge of my ceramic cup, I drawl, “I think so. . .” The nature of her question will determine if I’ll answer it.
“You were influenced by Roehl for a while. Did you feel the difference when you killed him?” Ann’s use of the word killed reminds me of what I did. I killed someone . . . again. Death actually changes you, who you are on the inside. And every time it happens, though it eats at my soul, it gives me a small boost of confidence. I think that’s because of Nathan, though.
Uncomfortably, I say, “Yes. I felt his hold on me disperse.”
Ann sets her cup down on the table but leaves it clutched between her hands. “I would like to share something with you. How good are you with blocking Nathan?”
I shake my head. “Not that good.” Not good at all, rather. Nathan often knows my thoughts before I think them.
“Closing off your mind isn’t something that can be taught. It’s like whistling. One day, you just get it. It’s possible, if you can understand how your mind works. You can use your power to guard your entire body by simply sobering yourself and rearranging your thoughts. Once you’re able to ease through the bond, you’ll get it. You’re a smart girl.” She eyes me head on.
I nod, confirming I’m listening.
“I’m not telling you this so you can hide things from him.” Yes, she is . . . “Communication in relationships is critical. But with what you have gone through, I believe I need to share this with you. I would appreciate it though, if this stayed between us.”
Contemplating being honest, I decide against it, eager to know what she needs to tell. “I’ll do my best.”
She stares in my eyes for quite some time before she reveals, “Roehl is my brother.” My jaw drops. “No one in this family knows. I’d like to keep it that way.”
I stare, slack-jawed, consumed by shock. At some point, my crossed legs uncrossed and my curls, once twisted in a bun, have fallen around my head. “Um, aba, uh,” I blabber. “Uh.” I clear my throat and take a pause. “Hmm. Okay. I guess what I can’t understand is how Nathan Sr. can sleep with two different women and your mother with two different men. I thought once you found your mate then that’s it.”
“My mother was never anyone’s mate. She was what mated Sephlem men like to call Femme Fatale. Mother was a Hybrid, and her ability was beauty and seduction. She used it for what she wanted. Mother could seduce and enchant men without them realizing it. Roehl was an accident she and Mr. Newcomb had.” Ann takes a drink from her cup. “Although he was aware of what was going on, she would take away the guilt, the shock, making it more human. Roehl was born, and there was an understanding built between both families. I’m sure it tore Natalia apart. Understand, Tracey, I know you did what you had to do to save yourself and this family. But . . .” Her voice lowers, dragging out the but in a threatening way.
My hand heats and my eyes demand me to blink. I refuse to, deciding to warn her. But I prepare myself for her attack. If she attacks. “Before you do whatever you’re thinking about doing, I advise you to think about your children and your husband. Because, with the mood I’m in, the risks I’ve taken. . . I won’t hesitate to drop you, Ann.” My tone is stern, oozing with promise over threat. “Make me send you through the wall at your back to prove it.”
“Tracey, a debt for a debt,” she swears.
“Ann, I love your kids, and it would kill me to see them hurt.” I meet her eyes, not seeing a falter in her promise. “I tell you what, do whatever you think it is you need to do.” I blink . . .
Baring a bright, silver sun on the side of her face and argent-colored eyes, she holds the same features as Roehl. Jumping from her seat, she lunges at me.
I blast her. A warp of fire propels from my hand and smashes into her chest, sending her crashing against the wall behind her. It wasn’t as big as I would’ve used, because I honestly don’t want to harm her, but I don’t want her to hurt me either.
Rushing footsteps coming our direction are loud in my ears, sounding over the falling pieces of wall plaster and Ann’s groaning. The kitchen crowds and Nathan’s at my side. “What happened?” he asks.
“She, she. Ann—” Well, now that I think about it, she really didn’t do anything yet. I might’ve reacted off impulse from what my eyes showed me. She probably never moved. “She told me she was Roehl’s sister, and now I owed her a debt for killing him.” It sounds like a million people gasp at once.
Roseland helps Ann from the floor, urging, “Ann, tell me that’s not true.”
She looks to him, and then charges, shoving the table out of her path. “Liar!” she spits, pouncing.
I flip her, and we tumble to the floor. I grab her around her long neck and warn in a raspy voice, “Don’t do it, Ann. I’m not in the mood for this crap today.”
Someone snatches be back by my arm. Roseland’s rough palm scrapes my arm as I stumble to my feet.
Nathan grabs his shoulder and just by a look, Roseland lets me go.
Ann climbs to her feet, vengeance sewn in her eyes and evilly curled lip.
Nathan steps in front of me, forcing Roseland and his wife back through the hole I created that opens to the hall. “Roseland. Explain.”
Roseland looks between him and Ann. He takes a breath, welcoming his calm composure back in his demeanor. “Let’s meet in the great room.”
Ugh! We have to meet in the great room so that everyone can hear the truth? Fine! They want to prolong her embarrassment, I’ll lead the way. Everyone in the house follows me down the hall.
We stand in the center of the great room, neither of us comfortable enough to take our seats. Natalia, the mediator, stands between us. “Roseland, will you speak for your wife, or will she?”
“I will,” Roseland answers.
Natalia turns to us. “And for you?”
“I’ll speak,” I answer, never taking my eyes off Ann.
“Okay.” She gives a short nod and leaves to her usual seat.
Roseland jumps right into it. “Tracey, you reacted without any threat being brought to you by Ann. She—”
“No, there was threat enough,” I cut him off. “Her offered information and demand of an owed debt was enough. A life for a life. I’ve learned a lot being around this family, and one main thing is to leave nothing to chance.”
Roseland’s brows furrow as he barks, “The fact remains, Ann was not going to attack you.”
I flick my gaze passed his shoulder to his silent wife stone-still behind him. “Were you not going to attack me, Ann? Are you also not Roehl’s sister?”
“She—”
I throw my hand up, cutting Roseland off. “Not you, her.”
“I’m speaking for her!” he shouts.
Nathan pulls me back and calmly takes over my argument. “If you keep yelling at her, I’m going to snatch your esophagus out of your neck. Ann needs to answer the question, Roseland.”
Roseland looks to Ann, and she steps to his side. “I am not.”
Unbelievable! I push Nathan’s guarding arm from in front of me. “Excuse me?”
“I am not Roehl’s sister,” she declares, giving me an eye that warns of how deeply I’ve messed up.
“I’m not afraid of you.” Searing heat takes over my hand as it prepares to blast her lips off her face. Nathan presses his hand against the back of my neck and sucks it away. “Ann, that’s a lie. You willingly told me this. You also shared about your seductive mother and how she tricked Papa Nathan into being with her. You were witness to all of this. I am not a liar!” I’m prepared to recite our entire conversation if need be.
Her eyes bug-out. I blink, and behind her shock façade, she wears a malevolent scowl, ready to take my head off. I can’t look past the silver sun covering half her face and how much it reminds me of her evil brother.
Nathan’s arm, wrapped around me, turns hard as a diamond. “Ann, you are his sister.”
“I am not,” she continues to deny.
“I see you through Sparks. Silver eyes and the half of a sun that covers the left side of your face. Just like Roehl.”
She steps back. “I am not a part of Roehl’s family.”
Roseland faces her. They don’t speak aloud.
“I’m not lying, Nathan. She may not have attacked me, but I saw her intentions and that she wanted to.”
“I believe you, Sparks. We’ll get to the bottom of it,” he assures with a promise in his dark eyes. “Remember what I said about family?”
I nod, not liking his promise.
Roseland faces us and nods once. “We will admit to Ann being Roehl’s sister, and this was information withheld from the family. However, Ann did not attempt to harm Tracey.”
Nathan looks at me.
I shake my head. “I don’t trust her.”
“Everyone here is not aware of the full extent of my mate’s abilities,” Nathan says to the room. “She has a unique gift that allows her the ability to see things that aren’t present to the naked eye. The film that encases her eyes has layers. One layer allows her to see who someone really is when he’s hiding behind a mask or in his preferred form. Another allows her to see in darkness. The third allows her to see someone’s true intentions, what lies in their hearts. And the last blackens her eyes completely with all the layers aligned together, enhancing each single layer to its maximum potential. She watched Ann change before her, and Ann, unknowingly, showed she did intend to attack her, even while Ann was only sitting still. Intentions matter, as it’s what’s in Ann’s heart.”
“I can show them what Tracey saw.” Lana’s high-pitched-voice rings from the rear of the room. She’s sitting in the spot Glen usually sits.
Nathan bumps my arm. “Are you okay with her showing?”
“Yes.”
Lana and Olar come to where we stand. “I’ll need to grab your hand to gain access to your thoughts of what happened. I can also do the same for Ann, to show both sides of the story.”
I nod, opening my hand. Seeing it black, I close it. “Sorry, that, um, happens sometimes.”
Lana gives me an encouraging smile. “That’s okay. My hands are very cold. Fair warning.” She grabs my hand and opens her eyes wide. They brightly shine out in a way a projector would cast a movie, showing from my sight. We see Ann handing me the tea, and we watch the scene through its entirety. Lana’s ability shows us and allows us to hear my embarrassing thoughts. Once we see the family enter the kitchen, I let go of her hand. Lana leaves me for Ann.
Ann refuses to take Lana’s hand, objecting, “We’ve seen what happened. There’s no need to go over it through me.”
“Fine. You don’t want us to see it. You will tell it,” Mrs. Waturstrom steps up, giving them no other option. She crosses the floor in pink slippers and is still wearing her bonnet. Roseland nods and steps behind Ann, holding her by the crux of her arms. “Hi, Ann, how are things?” she asks in that entrancingly demanding voice.
“Things are as they are,” Ann answers.
“You are Roehl’s sister?”
“I am.”
“Have you kept this a secret from Roseland?”
“I have.”
Mrs. Waturstrom steps to stand directly in front of her. “Did you tell Tracey?”
Ann narrows her eyes, seeming to fight against the truth. “I did.”
“Do you intend to have Tracey repay the debt for the loss of your brother?”
“I do. This family has taken two lives from me. Someone needs to pay for them!”
I look over the surprised and befuddled faces, waiting for Mrs. Waturstrom to continue. She takes a long pause, studying Ann’s words, I assume. Clearing her throat, she reinstates the possessive tone, asking, “What two lives were those?”
“My mother and now my brother,” Ann answers, her head held high.
“That’s enough. We got the answers we were looking for,” Roseland interjects, using a dominant tone I often here Nathan use with his family. “Let us leave.”
“No,” Natalia objects from her seat. “You will wait until she has answered every question that comes up. If you have an issue with that, Nathan will hold you back until it is over.”
Roseland’s voice softens as he says, “That isn’t necessary, Mother.”
“Good. Cynthia, continue.”
Mrs. Waturstrom nods. “Ann, the life of your mother, who in our family was responsible for that?”
“Their father,” she answers.
“Nathan killed your mother? Do you know why?”
“He became aware of my mother’s seduction. He found out he wasn’t the only one. He threatened her, and she threatened to go to his wife shortly after Roehl was born, giving him no other choice than to tell her about their son. My brother. Things became worse between them, and he couldn’t take it anymore, so he killed her, in front of me.”
Yeah, that sounds like Mr. Newcomb all right.
“Was
it by mistake you mated with Roseland?”
“It was by no mistake I showed an interest in befriending someone from this family. However, I didn’t know that I would mate with my husband.”
Mrs. Waturstrom nods and walks away, job done, having the answers she was interested in.
Ann realizes what’s happened, and a tear drops from her left eye. She whips around. “My deepest sorrow, Sweetheart.” Taking his hands in hers, they gape into each other’s eyes, and I don’t care to know the internal monolog going on between them.
Roseland rubs her shoulder, then says to the room, “If everyone is satisfied, we will excuse ourselves with a promise no harm will be brought to Tracey.”
“You’re my brother, Roseland, and if I were you, I’d make sure to keep that promise. Because the loss of your wife means the loss of you, and we’ve lost enough of our family recently,” Nathan calmly advises, though every word drips with his guarantee.
Roseland nods before turning to leave the room.
Nathan and I head for the door.
“Tracey?” Natalia calls. We wait for everyone to leave the great room before I answer her. She speaks to Nathan in their language, and I’d prefer they just speak internally if they don’t want me to know what they are saying. I’m only able to pick up on sorry, she, don’t, and have. She has an accent stronger than Nathan’s and just when I thought I understood some of it, I don’t. Natalia turns her attention to me. “I’m sorry these things keep happening. It’s not like our family to turn on each other as you’ve witnessed. I was explaining the same to Nathan. This isn’t like us at all.”
“It’s okay.” I hug her. It’s not her fault Ann is a bitch. And I can only imagine how she feels knowing the truth about her husband and Ann’s mother.
She rubs my back, then breaks away. Walking around us, she pats Nathan’s shoulder and leaves.
“She thinks you hate our family,” Nathan tells me once she’s closed the door.
“Do you hate them?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t hate them, but they’re irking me.”
“Me too,” I agree. “I can’t understand what I did to make everybody come after me. First, that stupid jackal girl, and I still can’t understand what I did to her. Then Taylor, and now Ann, and she knew Roehl was going to die.”
Brazen: A Dark Paranormal Romance (The Sephlem Trials Book 2) Page 38
