Grim Expectations (Aisling Grimlock Book 5)

by Amanda M. Lee

  “Oh, really? Are you joining a singing group?” I asked. “I hear Goth music is all the rage with the kids these days. Well, that and Pokémon Go.”

  “Aisling, drink your bourbon and shut your mouth,” Dad said, shaking his head. “What news to do you have, Lily?”

  “There’s been a lot of talk on the street,” Mom said, choosing her words carefully. “The wraiths and gargoyles are chatting and the gossip stream is flowing these days. I’m not in the inner circle with either, but that doesn’t mean I don’t hear things.”

  “We don’t need the clarification, Lily,” Dad prodded. “Tell us what you heard.”

  “The Grimleys have been sighted in Detroit.”

  For a moment I didn’t think I heard her right. Then I sucked in a breath and glanced at Griffin. He seemed as dumbfounded as me.

  “The Grimleys are alive?” Griffin asked, drawing Mom’s attention to him. “I was under the impression that everyone believed they were dead.”

  “That was the first rumor,” Mom confirmed. She clearly didn’t like sharing information with Griffin, but she wisely didn’t make a fuss. “Actually, there have been several rumors when it comes to the Grimleys. The first was that they disappeared of their own accord and joined with the wraiths.”

  “Which is complete and total hogwash,” Dad interjected. “I know Lawrence Grimley. He would never do anything of the sort.”

  “I remember him well and agree,” Mom said, “but I’m not saying what I believe. I’m relating what I’ve heard from other sources.”

  “Evil sources,” I muttered into my bourbon. I could feel Dad’s eyes on me but I refused to look up and eventually the hot sensation eased.

  “After that first rumor, the second said that all of the Grimleys were dead at the hands of wraiths,” Mom supplied. “I believed that one until I heard a whisper about the daughter surviving. I kind of remember her from when she was a child. I saw her at one of those picnics you always made us attend.”

  “Yes, she was a cute child,” Dad said. I could practically read his mind. He was hopeful Serena would take her punishment to heart and remain upstairs during Mom’s visit. If any of us left to warn her, Mom would be unnaturally suspicious. “As for the picnics, you enjoyed them, so there’s no sense in complaining.”

  Mom smiled. “They weren’t terrible.”

  Great. All I needed was for them to walk down memory lane and accidentally fall into bed together. I could not let that happen. “What was the next rumor?”

  “Well, the wraiths said that Serena Grimley was not only alive but that she fled with something they were seeking,” Mom answered. “I’m not sure what that is, though it’s supposed to some sort of talisman.”

  The seal. Serena was right about it all along.

  “The wraiths also said Serena was hunting and killing them until she disappeared from the streets,” Mom continued. “The next rumor placed her with Aisling, but she’s completely fallen off everyone’s radar since then.”

  “Maybe she’s dead,” Griffin said. “Perhaps she took on the wrong wraith and it killed her.”

  “I think I would’ve heard about that,” Mom said.

  “Do the wraiths tell you everything?” Griffin challenged.

  “No, but … why are you even here?” Mom asked, changing tactics. “Since when do you let outsiders sit in on family business, Cormack?”

  Dad stiffened at the rebuke. “Griffin is not an outsider,” he said. “He’s Aisling’s boyfriend. They’re in love and living together. I expect them to get married and have children, so he is not an outsider.”

  Mom was flabbergasted. “And you’re okay with that?”

  “Am I all right with my daughter’s happiness? Yes.”

  “But … he’s a police officer,” Mom said. “He could get killed in the line of duty and leave her with a broken heart.”

  I doubted very much that was Mom’s true problem with Griffin. “And I could die in the line of duty and leave him with a broken heart,” I said. “There’s no difference in our situations.”

  “And she’s not going to die on me,” Griffin added. “I forbid it.”

  “Oh, so sweet,” I said, smacking a kiss against his lips because I knew Mom would hate it.

  “Whatever,” Mom muttered, shaking her head. “Where was I?”

  “You were telling us about the rumor regarding the Grimleys being alive,” Aidan prodded. “How is that possible? Everything we’re hearing suggests they’re dead.”

  “Yes, well, I’m not sure how it’s possible,” Mom said. “I only know that multiple people have seen them and that they were with a group of wraiths.”

  “Reliable people?” I asked.

  “As reliable as they come in these circles,” Mom replied.

  I glanced at Griffin and pursed my lips. Was it possible? Could the Grimleys be alive? If they were, why would they abandon Serena? Were they looking for her? Were they evil? The possibilities were endless.

  “Where were the Grimleys sighted?” Griffin asked finally. “What neighborhood?”

  “I only know it was somewhere in Greektown,” Mom said. “I can’t be more specific than that because I simply don’t know.”

  Greektown was hardly a small area, but it was a place to start. “Well, I guess we have someplace to begin looking tomorrow,” I said, resting my head on Griffin’s shoulder. “If they are alive, we’ll find them.”

  “And then what?” Mom asked. “Shouldn’t I go with you and offer my help?”

  Griffin balked at the suggestion. “I’ll go with her.”

  “You’re not used to the supernatural game.”

  “No, but I’ll die for her and I would prefer watching her back to letting you do it without knowing if you plan to put a knife in it when she’s not looking,” Griffin said. “I’m going with her.”

  “But … .”

  Dad shook his head. “The decision has been made,” he said. “Aisling and Griffin will handle the rumors. We thank you very much for the tip, Lily, but you won’t be involved in the rest of it.”

  Mom clearly wasn’t happy with Dad’s edict. “Well, I guess that’s that, huh?”

  “That is definitely that,” Dad said. “Now, who wants another drink?”

  I was pretty sure the answer was “everyone.”

  27

  Twenty-Seven

  “I don’t see how this is going to get us anywhere.”

  Griffin held his Starbucks coffee in one hand and rested his other on my hip the next morning as he scanned the busy Greektown sidewalks. It was actually closer to lunch than breakfast now. We’d left the townhouse early – after Redmond had a big breakfast thanks to Jerry, of course – and the three of us spent hours looking for people to talk to about Mom’s juicy tidbit from the night before. Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t exactly walk up to complete strangers and ask them if they heard of the Grimleys and if they were still alive. That wouldn’t go over well.

  That relegated us to people watching, and when the temperature hovers just above thirty degrees that’s not nearly as much fun as on a sunny summer day.

  “We should’ve listened to Mom,” Redmond said, leaning against an external restaurant wall as he sipped his coffee. “She obviously knew what she was talking about.”

  “Or that’s what she wanted us to believe,” I said. “I can’t be the only one suspicious of her motivations.”

  “No, you’re definitely not the only one,” Griffin said, rubbing his cheek against mine. “You are cold, though.” He snuggled closer to lend me some of his body heat. “What do you think she was really after last night?”

  Redmond clearly wasn’t happy with Griffin’s tone. “Why did she have to be after anything?” he prodded. “Maybe she really wants to help us. Have you ever considered that?”

  “Only every day since she returned,” Griffin shot back. “I’m not you, though. I’m not clouded by memories and love for the mother you lost. I’m sorry. I know you’re hurting and confus
ed, but Aisling is my priority, and I don’t like the way your mother looks at her.

  “I’m not saying she’s evil and out to get you,” he continued. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to let down my guard. I can’t. You need to do what you need to do, and I respect that. I need the same respect from you, though.”

  Redmond sighed as he tugged a hand through his hair. “I get what you’re saying,” he said after a beat. “I really do. She seemed sincere last night.”

  “Not to me,” I interjected. “She came with a clear purpose last night, and it wasn’t just to give us information. She’s looking for Serena. We got lucky because Dad grounded Serena and she stayed in her room. If Mom sees her … .” I left the statement hanging because I honestly didn’t know how to finish it. What would Mom do if she saw Serena? Would she attack her? Would she slink out and return with reinforcements? Would she sell the information to the highest bidder? Would she try to lure the teenager out of the house by preying on her broken heart?

  “I don’t think Mom would hurt her,” Redmond said. “You saw how she was with Dad last night. She’s still in there.”

  That was another thing that bothered me. “Yeah. I did see how she was with Dad last night. I didn’t like it.”

  “Why not? They … connected.”

  “And that doesn’t bother you?” I was incredulous. “Redmond, they cannot pick up where they left off ten years ago as if nothing happened. Whether you want to admit it or not, Mom is surviving off the life force of others. She admitted that to me.”

  “I know that,” Redmond said. “We had a long talk about it. She’s eating only bad people, kid. That has to count for something.”

  “Seriously?” My voice hopped an octave. “Did you hear yourself just now? Redmond, who gets to decide the definition of ‘bad?’ Does Mom get to decide that on her own? Will any rule-breaker do?”

  Redmond held up his hands to ward off my anger before I got a full head of steam. “I know what you’re saying and I’ve had the same thoughts myself,” he said. “I’m not saying I trust her. It’s hard, though. I look at her and see … Mom.”

  “And I look at her and see the woman wearing Mom’s face,” I countered. “Griffin doesn’t like the way she looks at me, but I’m a lot more worried about the way she looks at him. She sees him as an obstacle. I refuse to ignore that.”

  Griffin’s eyes were thoughtful when they latched onto mine. “You don’t need to worry about me,” he said. “I can take care of myself. If you want to spend time with your mother ….”

  I cut him off before he could finish the sentence. “That woman technically gave birth to me, but I don’t see her as my mother. I know it’s horrible to say and everyone thinks I’m judgmental, but I can’t blindly accept her back into our lives because I’m afraid of what that will mean for our survival.”

  “She might not be the same mother we remember, but I see that woman inside of her from time to time,” Redmond said. “She wants to spend time with us. I don’t think there’s any harm in that.”

  “I think you would feel differently if she was looking at someone you care about as if they were a snack option,” I shot back, stubbornly crossing my arms over my chest. “She wants to eliminate Griffin from our family. Tell me you don’t see that.”

  “I … .” Redmond looked caught. “She clearly doesn’t like him,” he conceded. “I think that’s because she thought she would get a chance to go through the whole falling in love process with you. She wanted to do the girly stuff – like hear about your first kiss and relive your first date with you – but she lost out on that.”

  “That doesn’t mean Griffin is expendable.”

  “I didn’t say he was,” Redmond protested. “I know you love him … and I love you. In truth, I’ve grown to like him, too.”

  Griffin smirked at the admission. “Oh, so sweet.”

  “Don’t push it,” Redmond warned, extending a finger. “I basically just said I don’t want to kill you. That doesn’t mean I enjoy watching you grope my sister.”

  “You spend too much time listening to your father,” Griffin said. “I think we need to focus on the immediate problem at hand. We need information from a street source we don’t even know how to identify because we’re out of our element here. We need to get help … and preferably from someone other than your mother.”

  “Well, you’re not wrong,” Redmond said, tilting his head to the side as he considered the problem. I hated the smile spreading across his face before it finished tipping up. “I have an idea who can help us.”

  I knew who he was talking about without asking. “No way! That woman hates me.”

  “Who?” Griffin asked, intrigued.

  Redmond’s smile was mischievous. “Don’t worry. She’s going to be thrilled to see you.”

  “Only so she can give him vague hints about his personality defects and what will become of his future,” I snapped.

  “She only does that with you,” Redmond said. “Come on. You know we need her.”

  “I know nothing of the sort.”

  “Who?” Griffin repeated.

  “Madame Maxine,” Redmond supplied. “She knows everything going on around these parts. We need her on this one.”

  “I would rather not.” I was feeling utterly defiant and stubborn this afternoon. “She’s always mean to me.”

  “That’s because you’re mean right back,” Redmond said. “We have to give it a shot, Ais. You know it as well as I do.”

  “I’m game if it gets us out of this cold,” Griffin said, tossing his empty coffee cup in a trash receptacle. “Let’s go.”

  “But … .” I truly hated this idea. “Fine,” I said, huffing out a sigh. I was resigned because I knew Griffin and Redmond would outvote me no matter how much I fought. “I want a big lunch before we go, though. I hardly ever get down to Greektown.”

  “Oh, there’s my little glutton,” Griffin teased. “Lunch first. Then we’ll meet the famous Maxine. I’m kind of excited.”

  “That will change the moment you meet her.”

  Griffin wasn’t convinced. “We’ll see about that.”

  “WELL, look who we have here.” Madame Maxine was all smiles as Redmond and Griffin walked through the front door of her Oakland County magic store, Tea & Tarot. “Redmond Grimlock, as I live and breathe. I wasn’t sure you would ever stop in and see me again.”

  “Oh, Maxine, you know I can’t spend too much time away from you,” Redmond said, offering the middle-aged woman a hug as she shuffled closer to him. “I love you too much for that.”

  “Oh, you’re a silver-tongued charmer,” she said, rubbing her thumb against his chin. “You’ve always been that way. I don’t know how my ego will take it when you finally find a woman and settle down. I think my heart will truly break.”

  “That will never happen,” Redmond said. “My heart belongs to you.”

  “And so does all of that bullcrap you fling about when you want something,” Maxine said, her eyes twinkling as she shook her head. “You’ve got your daddy’s charm, boy.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “You should,” Maxine said, turning her attention to Griffin. “And who are you? You’re not one of the Grimlocks, because the coloring is off, yet … .” Maxine leaned forward and sniffed Griffin. Yeah, literally sniffed him as if she were a dog and needed to smell his butt. “You’re not a Grimlock, yet your aura is mingled with one of theirs.”

  “I’m Griffin Taylor.” Griffin extended his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  Maxine shook his hand and briefly pressed her eyes shut, refusing to release Griffin until she gleaned all she needed to know. Her smile was broad when they separated. “I know which Grimlock is all over you,” she said, chortling as she looked around Griffin’s shoulder. “How are you, sourpuss?”

  I scowled at her greeting and rolled my eyes. “I’m still alive,” I answered. “I’m calling that a win.”

  “Yes, well
, you’re still all about the winning, aren’t you?” Maxine extended her hand expectantly and waited for me to take it. “What’s wrong, girl? Don’t you want me to see your future?”

  “Not particularly,” I replied, sliding behind Griffin so I could avoid Maxine’s pointed stare. “I’m only here because they outvoted me.”

  “Uh-huh.” Maxine hated my attitude, yet she seemed in good spirits as her gaze bounced between Griffin and me. “So he’s the one. I knew he was coming, but I had no idea he was so close.”

  “I’m the one what?” Griffin asked, confused.

  “You’re the one who stole the youngest Grimlock’s heart,” Maxine explained, not missing a beat. “I felt … wisps … of you a long time ago. Her future wasn’t always so rosy. She had to follow a dark path to get to you. Still, I’m guessing she believes you’re worth the wait.”

  “Oh, Aisling and Griffin are all over each other,” Redmond supplied. “It’s fairly gross and annoying. Actually … it’s entirely gross. They make my father want to throw up on a daily basis.”

  “Your father has a certain dramatic flair,” Maxine said, inclining her chin in my direction. “Where do you think this one got it from?”

  “My father isn’t dramatic like Aisling,” Redmond argued.

  “Look closer,” Maxine said. “They’re two peas in a pod.”

  Griffin’s expression was thoughtful as he turned to stare at me. “Now that you mention it … .”

  “If you finish that sentence you’ll never have sex again,” I huffed, stepping from behind Griffin to get a better look at Maxine. “Are you happy? Now you have0 both of them riled up.”

  “I’m not unhappy,” Maxine said. “I won’t be happy until you take my hand.”

  I suspiciously eyed the purple fingernails. They were so long they reminded me of talons. “Why do you want to hold my hand? You’ve already read my future. Heck, you’ve read it several times. You should know how things end for me.”