"I don't remember most of it. I just know that my father spared no expense to bring in the best of the best, and when Father Gary and Father Carmine were finished...I was different."
Jared squeezed my hand. "When humans are overtaken in that way, they are often left weak for the rest of their lives. Kim kept something with her when Father Carmine finally extracted the demons. And they wouldn't have left behind power voluntarily. She took it from them, and because of that, they fear her."
"What kind of power?" I asked.
"The all-knowing, understanding dead languages blah, blah, blah. I also know when they move, when they approach, when they leave, and why they're doing it. And I think I can take their power at will, but none of them have gotten close enough for me to try."
"So Kim is an asset," Claire said, sullen. "She affects them in ways no one understands."
"I...you...." A million questions swirled in my head, but the most upsetting revelation was that nothing was separate, now. My normal life just had a head-on collision with my life with Jared.
The air around me felt thick and full of static. An end table next to one of the chairs shook for a moment, and then slid across the floor a few inches.
"What just happened?" I said.
The table vibrated again, and then shot to the wall, the legs squealing as they grated across the tile.
"Sweetheart," Jared warned.
My fingers worked in small circles against my temple. "Okay," I whispered. I worked to release any negativity that the demons could use to fuel their power. "What now?"
"I can help you," Kim said, uncharacteristically sympathetic. "I can help you find the book, Nigh. They'll tell me. They have to."
All expression fell from my face. "So you're like...you're like the demon whisperer. My wacky friend Kim. That's just great."
Kim nodded, unaffected by my jab.
"You never said why you're here," I said.
"I wanted to check on Ryan. I also have news."
News was usually the job of Samuel, and I wondered why Kim had been sent instead. The more I knew, the less any of it made sense--which was annoyingly typical.
Claire crossed her legs, settling in her chair. "Well? Tell us already."
"Jared and his covert operation tipped them off. He's asked too many questions, and they know what he's after. The book has been moved six times in as many days. We've got some work to do when we get home."
Jared glared at Kim, annoyed. "I have to look it over before we take it back. There are things within those pages that could help Nina."
"That was the deal, wasn't it?" Kim replied.
Jared nodded, and then looked to his sister. "Now that Ryan's stable, we should head back. Did the Colonel say how long you'd be here?"
Claire shrugged. "At least until he's stable enough to ship state-side, and then we'll probably be at a VA rehab until he's functional. I'll keep you updated."
I stared at the small table that had slid across the floor. Two hundred or so demons had been swirling about, and they were already onto the next subject. The air had returned to its normal temperature, but watching an inanimate object glide across the room left me uneasy--not that I had felt anything close to composed since Gabe had infiltrated my dream on the plane. Life was spinning out of control again, but this time there was no normal life to escape to.
One-third of my anchor to normal was lying in a hospital bed, and another sitting beside me, talking about things so opposite of the realm of ordinary, it was difficult to remember she was part of my other life at all.
Anger consumed me. I felt I'd been lied to. "What deal are you two talking about?" I asked.
"Your man is going to help me return the book to the Sepulchre if I help him get it from Shax," Kim said.
"Were you going to tell me about any of this?" I said to Jared.
Jared took my hands in his. "We talked about this."
"Yes, that you would omit things that didn't directly me, but first Ryan, and now Kim? They were my friends, Jared!"
"We still are," Kim said.
I ignored Kim. "Are you sure I can't see Ryan?" I asked Claire. She shook her head with an apologetic expression. "It was good to see you again," I said to Claire, hugging her. "Kim...." I trailed off, unable to find anything nice to say.
Kim had betrayed me; sneaking her mystical bullshit in the back door, and sucker punching me with her possession-crusades-basilica sob story. Now she was supposed to help us find the book because of her Oh So Spooky to the Demons powers. I didn't care! She was supposed to be my normal, and she had ripped it right out from under me.
Gabe had wanted us to turn back, and I couldn't help but wonder if I wasn't supposed to know about Kim. Could Gabe's appearance be mundane as a paternal need to protect me again, or was it something different? Maybe Kim wasn't supposed to help us? Maybe she was working for the other side.
I had almost reached the elevator when Jared called my name. Soon, his hand was in mine. He stopped mid-step, causing me to jerk backward.
"We have to go," I said, tugging him down the hall.
Jared stopped me again. "Would you please tell me what's going on?"
"No," I snapped, smacking the button to the elevator. "That would require me telling you the whole truth...and that's not really how our relationship works."
The door opened, and I pulled Jared inside. We were alone, and for the first time I felt I could breathe. I leaned against the wall and sighed. "This isn't happening."
"What isn't happening? Nina, talk to me," Jared said, putting his hands on the wall at each side of my head.
"She's my friend, Jared! She was on the other side, the side that kept me grounded...sometimes kept me sane, and now it's gone! It's all gone!"
Jared cupped my face. "She's still your friend. You're life at Brown is no different."
"It's not different? It's disappeared!"
He frowned. "Let's think of this as a positive thing. You have someone to talk to about this, now. Someone on the other side that understands."
I crossed my arms. "I needed them, Jared...so I wouldn't get lost in all of the heaven/hell fiasco."
"She's human, Nina. She may handle it differently, but she knows how you feel. She knows what it's like to know things, and be different because of it. Embrace it."
"Embrace it," I grumbled. "You don't understand."
Jared took my hand and kissed my fingers. "This is a good thing. With her help, we can find the book."
"Great!" I said as the doors opened to the main floor. "Let's find the damn thing and get rid of it! Take it back to the church, I'll stop having the dreams, Kim can be Kim again, and I can get my life back!"
Colonel Brand waited next to the car that would take us to the base. Jared and I remained silent during the trip, but once the plane took off from the runway, he began again.
"Nina, we can't just take the book back. We have to read it; find out why Jack stole it from Kim's uncle in the first place."
"Because Jack was crazy, that's why," I snapped.
Jared sighed with frustration. "They've been telling us why. In your dreams."
I thought for a moment, recalling Jack's words on the roof. He had to save her. I could think of only two women in the world my father would risk his life for. The inscription on my ring leading to a deposit box only Jared and I could access...he had stolen the book to save me.
But from what?
I narrowed my eyes. "Are you insinuating that I'm keeping something from you? Because that would be just...totally and completely hypocritical."
Jared frowned. "No. But we need to find someone that can interpret what your dreams mean."
"Who would know, Jared? Besides Eli or Samuel. They wouldn't tell us, anyway, right? Who would know?"
"Asking them again wouldn't be a good idea. Kim said they're already onto us. It's impossible to keep a secret in that realm. We need a human."
"A human isn't going to be able to make sense of my dreams, Jared, u
nless it's someone that already knows. One of Graham's men, maybe?"
Jared shook his head, deep in thought. "Claire didn't leave any of them alive. Anyone that might have known anything about it is long gone."
An idea popped into my head, instantly creating a sinking feeling in my stomach.
"What is it?" Jared asked, concerned.
My mind instantly searched for other options. I was desperate to make the name stuck in my throat a last resort, but she was our only choice. "My mother," I whispered. "Cynthia would know."
Jared's brows pulled in for a moment. "Jack left her in the dark."
"You don't really believe that, do you?" I asked, incredulous.
He peeked over at me, and then relaxed. "You're right. How to get her to tell us anything is the question."
"She'll tell us," I said, determined.
Chapter Seven
The Perfect Storm
"Isn't this a surprise," Cynthia said, fussing with her hair. "I'm on my way to the Komen fundraiser, Nina dear. We'll have lunch tomorrow."
I side-stepped, guarding the front door. "This is important."
Cynthia laughed once, unamused. "Not more important than breast cancer, I assure you." When I didn't move, she cocked her head. The expression she used for immediate intimidation lit her face. "You will let me pass this instant, young lady."
Instinctively, I obeyed. Seeing that she was in no mood for antics, I decided to try the blindside approach.
"Daddy stole a book from someone a few years ago. Do you remember?"
She blinked a few times, my words clearly unsettling to her. "Your father was in shipping, Nina. What interest would he have in a book?"
"He did it, Mother. I've seen the book myself. Jared's held it in his hands."
Cynthia's cold eyes darted to Jared, and then narrowed. "I must ask at this point, Jared. Are you trying to get Nina killed?"
"No," Jared said emphatically, taking a step toward her. "No, that's why we're here. We need to know why Jack took the book. What was inside that he was hoping to find?"
Cynthia relaxed, lifting her chin. "Nina, you'll find that if you ignore things...they tend to go away. Now, I really must be going...."
Jared's jaw flitted, and then he took an obstinate step in front of the door.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Grey, but I can't allow you to leave until you tell us what you know."
Cynthia stood unaffected, as if she could brush past Jared if she chose, but she was simply too much of a lady to shove her way through.
"What makes you think I know anything?" she asked, a tiny smirk on her face.
I crossed my arms. "Because you know everything, Mother."
A small grin of satisfaction crept across Cynthia's face. "Your father underestimated that particular talent of mine for years. It's nice that someone noticed."
"We need your help, Cynthia," Jared said. "Why did Jack think Shax's book could save Nina?"
"The truth will only hurt you, Dear," Cynthia said. Her words were meant to be empathetic, but her eyes were devoid of emotion.
I pressed my lips together in hard line, taking her warning very seriously. Before I could make a decision, Jared spoke.
"I'm only going to ask you one more time, Cynthia. What do you know about Jack's reasons for taking the book?"
Cynthia chuckled. "Empty threats rarely compel me to comply."
Jared leaned against the door. "I have all night, Cynthia. How important is this fundraiser to you?"
"Very well, then," Cynthia said. She shifted her weight, clearly irritated. "Your father never wanted children. I wasn't exactly...maternal...so I never questioned him. But when you came along, Nina, it changed him. He seemed to watch you as if he were waiting for something. I asked him, once, why he stared at you that way. His expression was both disgust and shame, but he didn't answer. He simply walked away."
Her words cut so deeply that I felt physical pain in my chest, as if a thousand needles were boring their way to the center.
Jared took my hand. "Jack adored Nina. He died trying to save her life."
Cynthia laughed without humor. "You misunderstand. The first time Jack held Nina in his arms, nothing else mattered. There was nothing more precious in his eyes," she paused. "But he was afraid."
I struggled to swallow the lump that had developed in my throat. "Of what?"
"You, I suppose," Cynthia shrugged. Her eyes switched to Jared, then, resentful and accusing. "When your father recognized that you were in love with Nina, he shared a story with Jack. It was a story within the last passages of the book you're so desperate to acquire. About a human woman giving birth to a son of God, and that child would disturb The Balance."
My face twisted. "You mean the story of the virgin Mary and Jesus? What could that possibly have to do with me and Jared?"
Cynthia sighed. "No, Dear. Sons of God are angels. Hell believes a human woman will give birth to an angel; a powerful angel that will threaten their power here."
Jared frowned. "That doesn't make any sense. Why Nina, then? Human women have been giving birth to Half-breeds for centuries. And even if Nina and I had a child, the baby would have just a quarter of divine blood in its veins. Nothing for Hell to be concerned about."
"A human woman gave birth to Jesus Christ, Jared," Cynthia retorted.
"He was human," I said.
Cynthia raised an eyebrow. "A mortal man who performs miracles and rises from the dead? That's some human...now if you'll excuse me...."
Jared didn't budge, still unsatisfied. "Gabe and Jack believed Nina to be the woman in the prophecy, and they stole the book to try to figure out a way to stop it?"
"They stole it twice," Cynthia corrected. "First, from a family...the Pollocks. They had spent lifetimes protecting it. Shax and his men alerted the Pollocks somehow, and your fathers were detected. While they and the Pollock men were distracted with one another, Shax absconded with his book. It was several months before Gabe located the book again and was able to successfully retrieve it. That's when it all began."
"Mother," I said, impatient. "When what began?"
Her eyes widened a bit, and she raised her hands, her fingers flared. "This, Nina! This! When protecting you and your father became difficult for the Ryel's, when dark things began surrounding our home on a daily basis...his death. Honestly, Nina! What else could I mean?" she said, exasperated.
"Okay. Okay, I'm sorry," I said to calm her.
She relaxed, and then smoothed her expression. "Now, if you don't mind, I really must be going," she said, brushing past Jared.
Jared's features tightened, instantly metamorphosing to anger. "I'm trying to save Nina's life, and you're worried about being on time for a party?"
Cynthia looked back at me with a sad expression. "It's a mother's duty to protect her child. But sometimes, we must let them save themselves."
Her words stung me. Our relationship was never what one may call close, but when the occasion called for it, she extended some emotion. She had never been cruel or unkind, but at that moment, I felt like an orphan.
My mother walked to the waiting car quickly, disappearing when Robert closed the door behind her.
Jared pulled me into his arms, and I let my cheek burn against his chest.
"I can't imagine how you must feel right now," Jared whispered against the top of my hair. "But I want you to remember two things: Cynthia feels helpless, and that's not a feeling she deals well with, and I want to remind you that I love you, and that love is unlike anything I've ever felt before. If she makes you feel unworthy or unwanted in any way...know that every breath you take is precious to me."
I nodded, unable to thank him for the words I didn't even know myself that I needed to hear.
We walked to the large staircase, and I slumped to the first step. "I don't want to...I can't think about her anymore."
Jared nodded once. "So let's think about what she said."
A small laugh escaped my throat. "That I'm the woman in Hell'
s prophecy? I've been told several things in the last twenty-four hours that are, quite frankly, ridiculous, and Cynthia's story gets the prize."
Jared didn't smile. "What if it's true? It's not like Cynthia is the most creative person on the planet. Why would she lie?"
I craned my neck, looking at him in disbelief. "Jared? I can't believe you're falling for her nonsense! My father never wanted children? That's absurd! Jack was the best father anyone could ever hope for. You've said it yourself...he worshiped me."
"Cynthia didn't say he didn't like children. I took it as he hoped to prevent something. We need to do a little digging in your ancestry."
I rolled my eyes. "Wild goose chase. You're wasting time even discussing this."
"What do you know about your family?" he asked.
"What do you know about your family?" I retorted.
Jared's brows moved in. "I have an uncle in South Dakota. My grandparents are gone, you know that."
"So are mine. My parents were only children, Jared. I have no family to speak of."
"So we start with the grandparents on Jack's side," he said, standing. "Where does Cynthia keep stuff like that?"
"Stuff like what?"
"Family albums, newspaper cut outs...a family tree?"
"I've never seen anything like that," I shrugged.
Jared sighed. "Jack has a coat of arms in his office. You can't tell me family wasn't important to him."
I cupped my chin in my hand and thought for a moment. Cynthia's words replayed in my head. Kim's story and Cynthia's were now meshed together-- intertwined because of the prophecy, and the book it came from. Somehow life was even less normal than when a demon stood in my apartment. I felt like a freak.
"My father's office..." I trailed off.
"You thought of something?" Jared said, pulling me to my feet.
My eyes widened. "Last year, when I was in Jack's office for the Port of Providence file, one of his cabinets were locked. I never found the keys to it. When I found the file I was looking for, I sort of forgot about it."
Jared pulled me to my feet, quickly climbing the stairs. I tugged on the drawers of the row of file cabinets until I found one that wouldn't budge. "That's it," I said. "The keys in the desk don't work. I've tried them."
Jared looked around the room, and then casually yanked the drawer. It made a loud popping noise, but it opened easily enough--for Jared.
"Well, that's one way to do it," I grinned.
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