Charade (Heven & Hell)

by Cambria Hebert

  Then her thoughts seem to clear and she glanced at me then back at her pies.

  I shouldn’t have asked. Really it wasn’t my business and I didn’t want to upset her. “I’ll go check on Heven and Logan now.”

  I pushed open the door and stepped out onto the porch.

  “Sam? Think about it. Logan is welcome here anytime.”

  I thanked her and then walked toward the barn. I was tempted to leave Logan here at the farm, but something inside me just couldn’t say yes. I wanted to protect Gran from all of this, and what would happen to Heven if something were to go wrong with Gran? Yes, Heven and her mother’s relationship was a lot better than it used to be. Even I, who thought I would never forgive her mother for telling Heven she was evil, could see the genuine good in her. But even still, I knew that the farm was where Heven belonged. This was her true home.

  When I reached the barn door a skittering of fear ran over my body. I wasn’t afraid, so that meant that Heven must be. I resisted the urge to burst through the door to see where the threat was because along with her fear I was also feeling her effort to control it, to make it go away.

  A very bad feeling that Logan was behind this sunk into me.

  I stepped up to the door and listened, focusing on the voices just inside the barn.

  “You never know,” Logan said, his voice sounded different than usual, deeper somehow. “Sam can’t always be where you are.”

  What was he saying? Why would he speak to her like that?

  “Are you threatening me?” Heven’s voice sounded strong, but I knew that she was frightened.

  “Tell me where it is.”

  “No.”

  “Is it here?” There was a slight pause; then he said, “Up there?”

  “It isn’t here,” Heven insisted and I had enough.

  I grabbed the barn door and opened it, trying not to just fling it, trying to hide the simmering frustration beneath my skin. Remember that he’s sick. He doesn’t mean what he’s saying, the way he’s acting, I told myself.

  “Hey guys, what’s going on?” I tried to sound casual.

  “Sam! Heven was showing me the horses!” I could sense the change come over him and I suddenly understood why Heven was always so uncomfortable around him. He acted different when I wasn’t around—who knows the things he has said and done to her.

  And she never said a word. She never complained.

  “Cool, huh?” I answered Logan.

  “Yeah. I wish you would have let me train with you.”

  “Maybe next time.” Maybe training would teach him control. Maybe it would help.

  “Are you guys done already?” Heven asked, moving closer to me.

  “Almost. Gemma and Cole are just finishing up.”

  Heven nodded. “Let’s go back to the house. I was just offering Logan some water.”

  Heven hurried outside to close the door. I looked at her. Something wrong?

  No, everything’s fine.

  Once again she covered for my brother. I realized that she was trying not to put me in the middle. She wanted me to have my brother in my life even if it was hard on her.

  At the porch Heven stopped and said, “Why don’t you guys go ahead in. I want to walk out and say hi to Gemma before she leaves.”

  I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know what to say. Even if Logan was acting strange, I couldn’t abandon him.

  “Sam, are you coming?” Logan asked, going up the steps.

  I looked back at Heven, wondering if she just wanted to get away from my brother.

  I want to ask Gemma about my dad.

  Ahh, so maybe not all of this had been about Logan. She was worried about her dad. Heven started off toward the orchard, and I heard her sigh.

  I stuck my head into the kitchen where Gran and Logan were. “I’ll be right back,”

  I didn’t wait for Logan to answer because I knew—I knew that he would act like he wanted me to stay. I wanted to be there for him, but I wanted to be there for Heven too, and even though she wasn’t asking for my attention, I wanted to give it to her.

  I caught up to her easily and reached out for her arm. “Hey.”

  She stopped walking and turned. “Hey.” She looked over my shoulder for Logan.

  “I left him in the house with Gran.”

  I slid my hand from her wrist to wrap my fingers around hers. “What did I walk in on back there?”

  “I was showing him the horses and barn.”

  “You’re upset, scared. Tell me what happened.”

  She sighed. “It was nothing. Logan and I… It’s just taking longer to bond with him than I hoped.” Before I could say anything she continued. “But I won’t give up. He’s your brother and that makes him family. We’ll get there.”

  I lifted her hand to my lips. “If he… treats you bad, scares you… You can come to me, okay? He’s my brother and I won’t abandon him but you… You’re my heart and I won’t let him hurt you.”

  Her fingers tightened on mine and seconds later, Gemma and Cole came into sight. Gemma was smiling at something and Cole looked pleased with himself.

  I think she likes him. I said, thinking about the way she put herself between us. She’s easier on him than me.

  Heven poked me in the ribs. You have an advantage over him in the strength department.

  I laughed. She doesn’t look at me the way she does him.

  Thank goodness.

  I looked over at her, admiring her shining blond hair and the way it fell over her blue eyes. “I’ve been thinking about the Dream Walker.”

  She winced like just the mention of it made her head hurt. It probably did. “What about him?”

  I pulled her close, my lips hovering just above hers as the chemistry between us spiked… there… I snapped my eyes up to hers and she gasped, her hand coming up to her throat.

  “It’s him,” she said, realizing what I was showing her. “The Dream Walker is what you have been sensing inside me. It’s why you have the urge to shift when you’re with me sometimes.”

  I pulled back and nodded. “I think so.”

  “It makes sense.” She laughed.

  “Why are you laughing?”

  “Because it means that it wasn’t me!”

  “I never thought it was you in the first place,” I answered, shaking my head. I should have realized she would think that it was her.

  She wrapped her arms around my neck, bouncing with her happiness. I hugged her back with a chuckle. Gemma was waving at us and Heven pulled back and walked over. She didn’t waste any time on small talk.

  “Can you go to the InBetween?”

  Gemma didn’t seem to mind the abrupt question. “Sure.”

  “Could you take me with you?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “I think my dad’s there.”

  Gemma shook her head, and beside her, Cole stiffened at the mention of his father. “Can’t be.”

  “Why?”

  “The InBetween is a temporary place that people who die pass through. No one ever stays there.”

  “But I heard him.” Tears swam in her eyes and she blinked them back. Cole crossed his arms over his chest, frowning.

  “Did you see him?” Gemma asked.

  Heven shook her head and I took her hand, offering quiet support.

  “He was probably on the other side. In Heaven. He wouldn’t be able to get to the InBetween unless a Celestial, like Airis, brought him.”

  “Could you bring him?”

  “I can’t go into Heaven. Fallen angel, remember?”

  “Oh.”

  “Ask Airis to bring him.”

  “She shipped us out of there fast when she realized I heard him yelling. She doesn’t want me to see him.”

  “Then she must have a good reason. You can trust Airis.”

  It was hard to accept that.

  “You saw him?” Cole asked Heven, his voice low. “Why were you there, in the InBetween?” I was a
little surprised he didn’t want to know more about their father. Of course, Cole has kind of made it clear that he didn’t consider Heven’s father his true dad.

  To spare Heven a drawn-out explanation that would only upset her; I gave Cole a quick, but thorough, overview of everything that happened from the last time we last saw him, even explaining about the Dream Walker. When I explained about their father, he drew Heven in for a hug.

  “Sorry you had to go through that,” Cole whispered.

  “I would have loved just a few minutes with him.” Heven’s voice was muffled against his shirt.

  “At least you know he’s safe and well somewhere,” Cole told her.

  She pulled back and studied his face. “You’re not upset?”

  He shrugged. “I’m upset you’re upset.”

  Heven pulled back and straightened her shirt and hair. “I’ll be all right.” Obviously Heven had been hoping for a little more reaction from Cole.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, frowning, realizing that his reaction wasn’t what she was wanting.

  Heven shook her head. “It’s okay, I should have realized…”

  “So you have a Dream Walker in your head?” Gemma asked, changing the subject. I was glad for it.

  I nodded. “I’m going to try and get it out.”

  “You should do it soon. The longer it’s there, the stronger the hold.”

  I could practically hear a clock ticking in my head with urgency. “Considering we are leaving for Italy tomorrow, I’m going to do it tonight.”

  Heven seemed a little green at the idea and I felt a twinge of pain in the back of my skull, so I knew that her head was throbbing.

  “Good luck,” Gemma said.

  Yes, tonight. I had no choice but to get that thing out tonight. I might not know what to do to help my brother, but this, this I could do.

  I would do it. Failure was just not an option.

  Heven

  Another training session. Two in one day. I guess I should have known there would be another one when this morning’s seemed so short. Both Sam and Cole didn’t seem to mind at all. They even appeared to enjoy it and put all they had into it. They were covered in sweat and dirt by the time Gemma was done with them. I paid attention, trying to learn something, but it seemed like an arduous session and as we were packing up I asked her why.

  “It’s because you are leaving for Italy tomorrow,” Gemma explained.

  “You think there is going to be trouble?” I whispered, putting my back to the boys and looking squarely at her.

  “You don’t?”

  My shoulders slumped. “Yeah, I do.”

  Gemma nodded. “Just keep your eyes open and your guard up. You’ll be all right.”

  “Thank you,” I said, sincerely and laid my hand on her arm. She paused in packing up her bow and arrow. She looked down at my hand on her arm.

  “Sorry,” I said and pulled it away.

  “I haven’t been close to anyone in a very long time.”

  “Then why would you help us?”

  “Because you remind me of me a very long time ago,”

  “Me?” I choked. I couldn’t imagine Gemma as ever being as weak as I.

  She smiled, but then turned serious. “I’d like to see things turn out differently for you than they did for me.”

  “Who’d you lose?” I asked.

  Something shifted behind her eyes and I knew that I was right. I knew that if Gemma hadn’t always been the strong warrior that stood before me today then, only one thing could have turned her into one. Loss. Loss of someone that meant much to her.

  Cole chose that moment to jog up to us, something clutched in his hand. “Ladies,” he said grinning.

  And just like that, the moment between us was gone. I knew better than to try and ask her about it again, her guard was back up and it wasn’t coming back down anytime soon. “What do you have there?” I asked Cole, pointing to his hand.

  “I found it over there beneath a tree. It’s Gemma’s.” He held it up for us to see. It was a dagger. The silver blade gleamed in the sunlight and looked deadly sharp. The handle was silver with a few jewels encrusted on it, the center one being large, circular and it held all the colors of the rainbow. It was the first time I had seen it up close and I thought it was awfully beautiful to be a weapon.

  “Keep it,” Gemma told him.

  His eyes widened. “This one is yours.” He glanced down at the sack of daggers at our feet then reached for one of the simple ones.

  “And I want you to have it,” Gemma said, pushing it back toward Cole. “You might need it.”

  “Thank you,” he said, holding the dagger to his side.

  Gemma seemed flustered by the second thank you that day. “It’s no big deal.” She shrugged and turned away.

  I looked at Cole who lifted his eyebrow at me. I shrugged. Gemma might not be ready to admit how she feels about my brother today, but someday she would be. And until that day I was keeping my mouth shut.

  * * *

  When training was finished, Sam, Cole and I walked back to the house and I was surprised to see my mother’s car parked beside the house.

  “That’s my cue to leave,” Cole said, looking at her car.

  “You don’t have to go, Cole.” Then I realized I had no idea if my mom knew that Dad had another child or not.

  “I gotta get home anyway, finish packing. Tell Gran I said later.” He jogged over to his truck and got in. He was driving down the driveway when Sam and I walked into the kitchen. Logan was at the table, devouring a plate of pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beans while Mom and Gran were talking over hot tea.

  “There you are, Heven!” Mom said, getting up to hug me. “I came to see you before your big trip!”

  “Thanks, I’m glad you came.”

  “Sam,” Gran said, getting up from the table. “You must be starving since you worked through dinner. There are plenty of leftovers. I’ll make you a plate.”

  “I am hungry,” he admitted and I laughed. Sam was always hungry.

  He went to wash up and I helped Gran put a plate together for him. When he came back, we all settled around the table, Logan and Sam with their full plates and I, Gran, and Mom with our tea.

  “Are you looking forward to the trip, Sam?” my mother asked, cradling the mug in her hands.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I’ve been getting to know your brother here. He says he’s visiting you for the summer.”

  Sam nodded and reached for his water. “It’s been good to have him here.”

  “You must be worried about leaving him alone while you are gone.”

  I glanced at Mom, wondering where this was going.

  “I would feel better if I knew he was taken care of.”

  “Sam, honey, I told you. Logan is welcome here,” Gran reminded him.

  Sam nodded and I could see him considering her offer, even though I knew that he didn’t want to leave Gran alone with Logan. He was too unpredictable. But we were leaving tomorrow and we had no other option.

  “Well, I would just love to have Logan stay with me,” Mom said, shocking us all.

  “Mom?”

  “Sure! It’s been too quiet without you there. It would be fun. We could watch movies and Henry could take him fishing.” She glanced at Logan. “Logan, do you like to fish?”

  He looked up from his plate. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Sam looked at me and I shrugged. Mom really meant it when she said that she was going to accept Sam as part of my life and this offer was her way of proving it.

  “I don’t know,” Sam said.

  I looked at my mother’s aura. It was filled with blues and greens. She was calm, comfortable and I knew that she meant what she said. I would see if she was only offering out of guilt.

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea!” Gran said, her aura looking a lot like Mom’s.

  Gran’s acceptance seemed to put Sam at ease and he looked at Logan. “What do you thin
k? Want to stay at Hev’s Mom’s?”

  Logan nodded. “Can I eat candy when I watch movies?”

  Mom laughed. “Sure.”

  I just hoped she didn’t try to cook him some chicken.

  “Okay, then.” Sam nodded. “Thank you. I really appreciate this.”

  “You are most welcome, Sam.” She turned to Logan. “Bring your things over tonight and you can stay, that way you won’t have to get up so early to come over.”

  Logan nodded.

  “Wonderful!” Mom said, happy with her plans. She gave me a warm smile and I smiled back.

  Our relationship was getting stronger every day. I prayed it stayed that way.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Heven

  When the sky darkened and night fell, the back of my skull began to scream. The pain was intense and distracting, but at least I understood why I was feeling this way. There was a demon in my head. This pain was that demon’s—the Dream Walker’s—way of trying to get inside my brain and manipulate me.

  I glanced at the bed and groaned. I did not welcome sleep tonight. I prayed Sam would soon be here, so that the idea of sleep wouldn’t be so bad. Turning my back on the bed and doing my best to ignore the pain, I looked at the door where my suitcases sat packed and ready. Tomorrow, we were leaving for Rome.

  Tonight, all across town, my fellow classmates were packing their final items, pouring over the itinerary and texting excited messages to their friends. The anticipation of going abroad would fill their dreams with adventures and fun. I couldn’t remember the last time my dreams were full of adventure and fun.

  And this trip to Italy wouldn’t be, either.

  While everyone else was going for culture and learning, Sam and I had a much broader agenda. Saying we could possibly be saving the world seemed very melodramatic, but saying we could be helping to keep the world as we know it seemed much more manageable. And a little less frightening.

  I heard a light sound and turned to see Sam slipping through the window.

  “Did you get Logan over to my mom’s?” I asked, still a little surprised that she was being so supportive of Sam and this trip.