by Elle Scott
“You do not!” Summer said, mouth full of bread.
Sadie glared at her sister and mocked, “Well, really? What do you know about me?”
Summer thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Good point.”
Pulling his keys out of the ignition and resting them on the dash, Sebastian settled back into his seat. “We can wait. Don’t want you to vomit in my car.”
Sadie took a bite and let the juicy meat patty zing over her tongue. Closing her eyes, she savored the taste. When she opened her eyes again she found Sebastian staring at her, smiling.
“This is going to take a while, isn’t it?” he teased.
Sadie feigned a laugh. He was right, though. She continued to eat slow. Excruciatingly slow. It was almost torture, considering how hungry she was. As soon as she took the last bite, almost twenty minutes later, Sebastian shoved the keys into the ignition.
Dammit. Tessa was still at least half an hour away. Sadie swallowed and blurted, “I got a text from Leila.”
Before starting the engine, Sebastian jerked his head. “What did she say?”
Sadie cleared her throat and eyed Summer. Putting on her best firm and direct yet sweet voice, she said, “Tessa isn’t the Fallen.”
“Knew it!” Summer exclaimed.
“Interesting,” Sebastian said, facing the front. He started the car, giving the gas a few revs.
“Kiko is,” Sadie added quickly.
“Really?” Sebastian seemed surprised. He nodded to himself. “That means I made the best choice. Kiko won’t know where the hell you’ll be.”
“Ugh,” Imogen huffed. “Do we really have to go to Dad’s though?”
Sebastian stared ahead, hands gripping the unmoving car. “I’ve got no other ideas.”
Sadie hadn’t thought about where they might have been heading, she just thought he was going as far away as possible. She gazed at his face—scrunched and unpleased. He didn’t want to see his dad, that was obvious. But he would regardless… he was doing it for her.
They were all silent as he pulled out of the parking lot and started down the highway, Tessa nowhere in sight.
Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.
“Pull over!” Sadie cried, clutching the dash. “I’m gonna be sick.”
She didn’t have to repeat herself. Sebastian slammed on the brakes and turned onto the side of the road. She yanked at the temperamental handle, kicking the door open, and ran across the gravel into a field. She kept running, even as the grass grew longer. When she was sure she was far enough out of view, she fell to her knees and made retching noises.
“Are you okay?” Sebastian called, stepping into the long grass.
Sadie flung her hand over her head. “Stay back! Don’t want you to see this.”
Sebastian muttered something and she heard his footsteps back on the gravel. She hunched over, staring at the pressed strands of dry grass under her hands.
How long does a person usually vomit for? she wondered.
After ten minutes, she heard someone walking through the grass toward her. She jumped up, wiped her lips for added effect, and turned back to the road. Summer met her a few yards from the car.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
The care in her voice was something Sadie would have to get used to. She smiled and pulled her sister in close. “I’m faking it. I told Tessa where we were but it will take a while for her to get here.”
“Good. But Sebastian is getting impatient. I think he’s worried other Fallen will find us… find you.”
“What do we do, though? Tessa isn’t here yet.”
As their shoes crunched along the gravel on the side of the highway, Summer stopped and looked down. “Get in the car. I have an idea.”
Sadie plonked herself in the front seat, giving Sebastian a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”
Sebastian stared at her, all color gone from his face. The only other time she’d seen that expression was when he was looking for Imogen at school. He said, “We should get you out of the open. It isn’t far to my dad’s.”
The way he gazed at her, unassuming but completely petrified, burned a hole into her heart. She wanted him to look at her like that all the time. Swallowing, she nodded, resigning to the fact that she’d have to text Tessa the address when they got there.
The back door opened and Summer threw herself into the back seat. Surprised, Sebastian flung around. Summer’s eyes grew as she innocently looked between Sadie and Sebastian as if she didn’t just take an odd amount of time to get into the car.
Shaking his head, Sebastian turned the ignition on and veered back onto the highway. They’d barely driven a few seconds when a loud bang went off. The car jolted and the rear end dipped to one side.
“What the hell?” Sebastian mumbled, slowing the car. He peered into the side mirror, and cried, “The tire blew!”
A clacking noise repeated on the bitumen, until they came to a complete stop. Sebastian stepped out of the car, mumbling obscenities to himself as he walked around to the trunk.
Summer tutted. “Geez, rocks can be so sharp.”
As Sebastian hauled the spare tire from the trunk, Sadie tried not to look back, holding in a smile. A rebellious sister was becoming quite useful.
When Sebastian had finished, he slammed the trunk and made his way back to the driver’s seat. As he sat down, he huffed, “Is that it? Is anything else going to go wrong today?”
Something in front of them caught Sadie’s eye. She turned, catching sight of red hair blazing in the midday sun. Tessa ran toward them.
“Yes!” Summer cried from the back.
Imogen unbuckled her seatbelt, leaned forward and pointed wildly. As Sebastian let his gaze follow her hand’s direction, she said, “That’s Tessa.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Sebastian huffed. He darted his eyes to Sadie, brows lowering.
Sadie didn’t smile. She needed him to see this was serious. Tessa was needed. She pleaded, “Just talk to her.”
Sighing, shaking his head, and frowning deeper, Sebastian wound down his window. As Tessa leaned over into the gap, he said, “What the hell do you want?”
Ignoring Sebastian, Tessa looked at Sadie. “You’re still my assignment.”
Sebastian began rolling his window back up, and said, “Thanks, but I’ve got her in my care.”
As if on cue, a tingle danced across Sadie’s neck. It felt as if ants were marching around in circles. She slapped her hand over shoulder, trying hard not to scratch.
Tessa winced and grabbed Sebastian’s half-open window, holding it firmly in place. She finally let her eyes land on him. “She’s been marked. So, forgive me if I don’t think you’ve done a real great job of it.”
“Sebby?” Imogen cooed from the backseat. “Let her in, she just wants to help.”
Sebastian slammed the back of his head against his seat. Through clenched teeth, he said, “Fine. Get in.”
They drove another half hour, the Pacific Ocean to their right. Every now and then, through a gap in the trees, Sadie caught a glimpse of the water. A feeling of freedom and excitement would wash over her, and in the back of her mind she wished she had chosen the sea over the mountains in her dream’s choice.
“Uh, where are you going?” Tessa asked dubiously.
“Our dad’s.” Imogen replied, shoulders touching Tessa beside her. “He lives near Cannon Beach.”
Tessa made a weird chortle.
Right before the town, Sebastian veered his car to the right. They traveled along the thin and winding road, climbing a slight incline. Close to the end of the road, Sebastian turned into a driveway with the number five on the letterbox.
Tessa unlatched her seat belt and leaned forward half-shifting. She held her sharp claws close to Sebastian’s neck. “Why did you bring me here? Is this a joke? You’re a Fallen working for Kiko, aren’t you?”
“No,” Sebastian replied, leaning his head out of harm’s way. “I mean, yes, I’m Fallen. But I don�
��t give a crap about Kiko. This is my dad’s place.”
As he pulled the car to a stop outside a log cabin, Tessa returned to human form. Her eyes widened as she stared ahead and said, “But this is my dad’s cabin.”
Sadie
The five of them stood on the porch of the cabin, silent and uneasy. Sebastian hit his knuckles against the door mumbling to himself. Sadie could just make out the words “Riley” and “not my brother” and “bullshit”.
Summer scooped her arm through Sadie’s elbow, clutching tight like a shy child hiding behind a parent. Sadie led them to step back a little, letting Tessa, Imogen, and Sebastian process their discovery.
“So, this means you’re my sister?” Imogen had barely finished saying the last word before she wrapped her arms around Tessa in a giant hug.
Arms pinned to her sides, Tessa shrugged Imogen off. “Let’s just wait and see. It could all be a misunderstanding.”
The door opened, and a man with Riley’s eyes and Sebastian’s jawline stepped out. Sadie gasped. How could she have not seen it before? Riley and Sebastian were half-brothers!
The man spotted Sebastian and his eyes twinkled with happy surprise. “Seb?” he smiled, letting his gaze move to Imogen. “Oh.” He gasped, clutching his chest. “My sweet!”
Then he saw Tessa and all color left his face. He looked between the three of them. “Tess? What? H… how?”
“So, it’s true?” Sebastian scowled. “Tessa and Riley are your other family?”
Sebastian’s dad flung his hand to the door, using it to stabilize his weakening knees. He managed to say, “You know them?”
Tessa opened her mouth but only a squeak came out. She sniffed, wiped tears from her face, and brushed past her dad to go inside. Within a few moments she stormed back out again. “No, you know what? You don’t get off that easy. Why do I have siblings I didn’t know about?”
Sebastian ushered Imogen inside and signaled to Sadie and Summer to follow. As soon as they stepped in, Summer rushed for Imogen, who grabbed her hand and dragged her down the short hall, disappearing into a room. Sebastian paced the length of the living area.
The cabin was quaint and homely, walls lined with timber. Above a fireplace, Sadie noticed a mantle adorned with two pictures. One frame contained an image of Riley and Tessa cheek-to-cheek, before her hair was dyed red. And next to it, another frame held a photo of Sebastian, Imogen, and both their parents. Sadie wondered if Sebastian’s dad hid one when certain kids visited. It would have been a challenge to remember who was who, and what was what. But going by what Sebastian and Imogen have said, they didn’t see him much. Sadie guessed Riley and Tessa didn’t either.
Sebastian kept pacing the room, stopping every now and then to shake his head or throw his arms in the air. As Sadie walked around him and made herself comfortable on the sofa, the sound of Tessa’s voice wafted through the open door.
“I can’t believe you have a whole other life. Kids. A wife. You left us for them?”
“No, I…” Sadie could hear the heartbreak in Sebastian’s dad’s voice as he answered, “I was married before I met your mum. It was only supposed to be a quick affair.”
“Oh. My. God!” Tessa boomed. “But then she got pregnant with me and you kept dragging it on… until when? After Riley obviously?”
“I’m sorry. The lie got too big for me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Tessa mocked. “Mum said you left when Riley was born because you met someone else. But you were already married! These were your choices, no one else’s.”
Sebastian stormed across the room and slammed the door, shutting out the conversation. He kicked the wooden floorboards as he turned around. “Why does Riley have to be my brother? Why him? I’d rather wimpy Damien.”
“There are worse people to be related to,” Sadie offered.
Sebastian whipped his eyes to her. “Worse than a self-righteous goodie-two-shoes? With his perfect grades and his perfect girlfriend, being the perfect Guardian.”
Perfect girlfriend? “Are you jealous? Do you like Leila?”
“No. God, no. She’s... not my type.” Sebastian balked and began pacing again. “It’s just—he’s got it good, you know? And he takes it for granted.”
Sadie stopped herself from laughing. “Says the most popular guy at school.”
Sebastian stopped in his tracks and looked at her. He shook his head. “Good girls don’t like me.”
Now he was being ridiculous. Scoffing, she admonished him, “Of course they do.”
Sebastian plonked himself onto an armchair by the window. His whole body slumped as he said, “C’mon Shorty, look at me. Look at my life. Look at what I am. I’m damaged goods.”
“See, that’s the problem.” Sadie said, rushing over to crouch in front of him. “You go on about how Riley has it good and that he takes it for granted. But you’ve got it all in front of you, and you dismiss it because you don’t think you’re worthy.”
Sebastian readjusted himself in the armchair, resting his elbows to his knees. With a smirk, he said, “You know, this crush you have on me is very endearing.”
Sadie stood, crossing her arms. “I don’t have a crush on you.”
“I know you do.” Sebastian stood, too. His head hovered inches above her as his amused eyes bored through her. She wasn’t sure where to look, so she stared right back.
In a few moments, the twinkle in his sky-blue eyes disappeared. Sebastian sighed, his shoulders dropping. The look on his face broke her heart. “This whole thing is a mind fu—”
“I’m… umm...” Sadie interrupted. She felt the urge and ran with it. “I’m gonna give you a hug now.”
Sadie moved in, wrapping her arms around his torso. Her heart pounded, feeling his chest rise and fall against her. He sighed and grasped her tight.
He whispered, “Thank you for being here.”
The front door opened and Tessa stormed in; she caught a glimpse of Sadie and Sebastian, caught in each other’s arms, and rolled her eyes. Sebastian’s dad staggered in behind her, face blushed from crying.
“Dad!” Sebastian exclaimed, letting Sadie go. He threw a thumb in her direction. “This is Sadie.”
Sebastian’s dad lifted a hand in a lazy wave. Giving a sad smile, he replied, “Hi Sadie. I’m Reece.”
“Nice to meet you,” Sadie said, Not knowing what to do with her hands, she tucked them into Sebastian’s jacket pockets. “You have a beautiful home.”
“All right. Can you give us a minute, Dad?” Tessa huffed, cutting the pleasantries short.
Reece nodded. “Of course. I’ll give you guys some space.”
As soon as Reece left the room, Tessa stepped toward Sadie, eyebrows creasing. “How are you? You look better.”
Sadie involuntarily lifted her hand to the rash and ran her nails over the bumps. “Itchy. I do feel better, though.”
“The mark could appear anytime, it’s probably not a terrible thing for us to be here,” Tessa said, avoiding Sebastian’s glare.
“Anytime?” Sadie gasped. “Leila said she had a rash for two days before her mark appeared.”
“It’s different for everyone. Once your fever lifts, the mark could appear in a few hours or a few days,” Tessa explained.
Sadie kept her hand over the rash, pressing hard as if her own hand could bring forth the magic to turn her. For all the things in her life that she was indecisive about, this one was clear. She was going to become a Guardian. True or Fallen, it didn’t matter anymore. Being a helpless human amongst the ever-growing clan wasn’t an option.
As if knowing what she was thinking, Sebastian shuffled closer and picked up her fingers, gently prying them from her shoulder. He whispered, “Stop scratching.”
Two sets of footsteps shuffled down the hallway. Imogen stopped at the doorway, Summer close behind. She gazed at Tessa with sorrowful eyes. “You didn’t know about us, did you?”
Tessa glanced at Sebastian, before her eyes floated to the framed photos
above the fireplace. Frowning, she turned to Imogen and shook her head in reply.
“It’s okay,” Imogen said, giving an understanding smile that seemed too old for her years. “I get how strange it feels to know you have other full-grown siblings out there. We found out about it a year and half ago.”
“Great,” Tessa said, sarcastically. She turned to the kitchen and called, “Just another way you’ve shown them more love than me and Riley.”
As if he was standing right behind the archway, Reece popped around the corner, shaking his head wildly. “No, I… that’s not true, Tess. I love you all the same. All four of you, exactly the same.”
Sebastian moaned. “Riley goes to my school, did you know that? He’s a—”
Sadie nudged him with her elbow.
“He’s something,” Sebastian finished with a huff.
Reece’s lips curved down at their edges. It reminded Sadie of the way Sebastian expressed deep concern, and a hint of Riley when he’d get annoyed. Flustered, he said, “I didn’t know. I’m sorry. You have to believe me. I messed up. I thought it was best if I left, stayed out of all your lives.”
A chortle flew out of Tessa’s mouth. She crossed her arms; eyes searching the floor as she mumbled, “I guess it all makes sense now. Why you were never around for us.”
Reece nodded slowly—painfully He seemed heartbroken but also resigned to the fact that he deserved all the animosity Tessa gave him. Sadie decided then that she liked him, mistakes or not.
“Tessa?” Imogen cooed. “I know it’s a shock. I cried for weeks when I found out I had a brother and sister out there. But do you think, sometime, when you’re ready, we could get to know each other?”
Tessa’s eyes softened. Her breath hitched and fresh tears pooled in the corners of her eyes. Her bottom lip quivered as she gazed at her newfound sister.
Sadie’s heart flipped. What a moment she was witnessing. She brought her arms around her own body, trying to contain herself.
Imogen continued, stepping toward Tessa, “I’ve always wondered what you were like. What you’d look like, who you’d be. If we were similar in any way.”
