Page 25

My legs tense as I dive into the pool, and my body cuts through the water like a knife as my black flippers and webbed feet paddle furiously.The scent of chlorinated water is harsher in this form, so when I get to the other side of the pool, I shift back into my human form. My brief stint in the water as a penguin reminds me why I rarely shift into this form. As cute as it is; the chlorinated water is too harsh on my coat. Shaking off the last phantom itches, I focus on stretching my muscles and training my human form instead. Just like a human athlete, Druids thrive with any form of intense movement. Balanced with training and proper nutrition, we’re almost unstoppable.

Zeroing in on my swimming with a laser focus, I try to banish the thoughts of all the bodies in my mind. Every few days, another Supernatural shows up dead. A head injury, bled to death, decapitation, you name it. And then, when everyone has had a turn, the pattern starts all over again.

I lose track of time as I swim from one side of the pool to the other until something else catches my attention. While my head is still underwater, human feet appear in my peripheral at the other end of the pool. Coming up for air, I see it’s Beau waiting for me. Shaking his head, he fondly scolds, “Child, you’re going to burn yourself out if you swim for any longer without breakfast. Come inside. I’ve got some muffins in the oven and bacon on the stove. Let's talk about what’s bothering you.”

Beau leaves to the kitchen, and the scents of freshly brewed coffee and bacon start wafting towards me in encouragement to join him. Smiling, I pull myself out of the pool, and the water drains off me. Walking across the pool deck lined with sun bed loungers and shaded cabanas, I grab one of the fluffy towels from the shelf, and when I’m dry enough, I towel off my hair. Grabbing a fluffy robe, I wrap it around my body securely before I make my way to the kitchen.

Finding Beau busy in the kitchen, it's hard to keep the smile off my face. I have very few people in my life that care about me as much as he does, so when he gets bossy like this, I appreciate it rather than getting irritated. Pulling a tray out of the oven, he turns and sees me looking at him in the doorway and says, “What are you waiting for? Come, take a seat before you pass out from hunger,” patting the island in front of him like I don’t know where he meant.

The kitchen has always been where I’ve felt the most comfortable in our estate. It’s the one place that feels like home. It's been decorated in honor of our single family holiday to the Amalfi Coast, and while it doesn’t exactly match the rest of our estate, I love it. The bright yellows and blues with hand-painted tiles fill me with joy each time I look at them. I know Beau had something to do with this, and I’ve always been curious as to how he convinced my parents to go through with it.

Taking a seat, Beau pops the muffins out of the tray onto a cooling rack while he slices up some fruit and gets some cooked bacon pieces. He passes me a plate of assorted snacks. Using his stern voice, he asks, “Now, do you want to tell me what's bothering you?”

Using the food to buy myself time as I try to figure out how to answer, I munch on a slice of bacon and move onto a piece of melon, knowing that Beau will wait as long as he needs to while I figure out my answer. Leaving my complicated feelings for Sebastian out of it for now, I share my frustration about the murders.

“It’s just…How am I the only one taking these murders seriously? Especially now that we all know they’re Supernatural related.” Running my hand through my hair, I continue venting. “I tried tracking the culprit in both my animal and human form, and that didn’t work. Every few days, anew body turns up, and I’m two steps behind whoever is doing this. Dom is looking into a tracking spell for us, but they’ve come up with nothing yet. Even the police have nothing. It seems to be a dead end.” I drop my head into my hands and sigh.

Turning, Beau fiddles with the coffee machine, and it loudly does its thing before he turns and places a cappuccino in front of me. “I know things are complicated between you and Sebastian, but have you considered asking for his help? His family specializes in this type of thing, after all.” His tone is gentle.

He’s right. Sebastian also has a contact in the police force that’s loyal to him and not his mother. I’ve been trying to avoid it because working together would just complicate things even more, and I don’t know if I can deal with that, too. But before I can even answer him, Mom storms into the kitchen. Bracing myself, because I know it’s coming, I expect a tantrum. Even if it’s far too early for her to start with her nonsense.

“Judith, there you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Her shrill yell makes me wince.

Fighting a roll of my eyes, I ignore her and look for something else to eat. I haven’t seen much of my mom since Lexie’s funeral. Not once did she think to check on her other children and how they were coping. Apparently, she needed some time in a treatment facility to help her cope with her grief.

Translation: She just wanted more attention.

Undeterred, Mom continues laying out whatever hair-brained scheme she’s cooked up today as I move onto eating bacon pieces straight out of the pan. I’ve mostly zoned her out when she beams. “I’ve got great news! We’ve finally selected a suitable husband for you. One of the Jekyll’s!” Chokingon my food, I say, “I’m sorry, I must have water clogged in my ear because I swear I just heard you sayhusband.”

She just does that irritating laugh of hers. “Oh, you heard me just fine. We both know that nothing is wrong with your hearing, Judith.” My eyebrows raise. If she wants to start a game of who’s more bitchy this morning, I’m going to win every time. “If that’s the case, your memory must be failing because I’ve told you a million fucking times, I’m not marrying anyone. And it’s Jude. When are you going to get it through your thick skull?!”

Pushing myself from the island, I leave Beau standing there. He’s used to our bickering after all. I storm out to go find my father. He must know about this. Starting at his study, I furiously fling open the door, bouncing it off the wall, not caring who he is busy with. My mom catches up with me, and screeches, “Eric, I tried to reason with her–” Dad holds up his hand as he assesses the situation unfolding in front of him.

He glances back and forth between us, looking much like he’d rather be anywhere else right now. Probably some torture dungeon or whatever other shady place he would prefer. His jaw clenches, and he runs a hand over his scruffy chin, looking the least like the stoic, flashy boss I’ve known my dad as my entire life.

Mom tries again, this time, “Eric! Please speak to your daughter. I don’t know what you want me to do with her. She’s always so hostile and unreasonable. It’s like she blames me for Lexie’s death, and now she’s threatening violence.” Incredulous, I break Dad’s stare and turn my anger on Mom, “Hisdaughter? Last time I checked, I’m yours too, unfortunately.”

Facing dad, barely allowing myself a chance to hope that this was only Mom’s plan, I ask him, “Please tell me you didn’t know about this, andthat it was only one of Mom’s schemes?” I can see by the look on his face he’s been caught out. It looks like he had a hand in this too, and my heart sinks.

Addressing me, Dad says, “Between the murders and your altercation with Alyssa, it’s time for us to make some changes. We need to show we’re still in control, and need the other families to know it too. A marriage alliance with the Jekyll's will do this and cement our power in the Supernatural community–” I cut him off; this time my voice becomes shrill. “Please tell me you’re joking and not shipping me off like some broodmare?!”

Used to Mom’s shrillness and tantrums, Dad carries on like I haven’t spoken. “A wedding is a joyous occasion, and a few sons will help spread that message. Autumn is already expecting and doing her part for this family, as should you.” He claps his scarred hands together as he finishes, giving me a stern look as he does. Like he thinks he’s in the right, and I’m a spoiled child that needs chastising, and his job will be well done. I nearly growl, clenched fists trembling at my sides. There is so much to unpack in this statement, I don’t even know where to start. But Dad takes advantage of my silence and continues.

“Lexie was getting ready to do this, and then, well, we lost her. So now it’s up to you. I can always use Brooklyn if you prefer? As it is, we have the ball to attend at the Hart’s tomorrow night, and it would be a great place to announce this. With all the murders happening, we need something good to focus on in this community.”

That’s when I lose it completely and grab one of his chairs and throw it across the room. I’m practically vibrating with the contained rage. “Are you fucking kidding me? Do you actually care about any of your children?I’m not marrying anyone, least of all a Jekyll, and neither is Brooklyn. I swear to the Druids, if you try to force Brooklyn and I, I will run with her. I’ve had it with your emotional blackmail.”

My mom still blocks the doorway behind me and tries to assert her dominance one more time, and briefly, her eyes flash gold in warning of an impending shift. “Well, it's not exactly like you have a future with Sebastian. It’s your job to provide for this family now. You’ve got the day to adjust to this news because we will announce this tomorrow.”

Out of everything I just said, this is what my mom took from it. I may as well be yelling at the wall for all the good talking to my parents does. My temper finally snaps. In a move I doubt my lazy mother can track, I grab her flowery blouse and shove her against the wall. Seeing her pathetic form crushed against it is a satisfying sight. I’ve got no love for my mother, and if anything, today proves why.

I barely recognize my voice. “You add zero fucking value to my life. You’re selfish, and you make this about youall the time. Say one more stupid thing, or call me Judith one more time, and I will challenge you to a fight in front of the Druids, and we both know I will win.” Mom stutters and looks to my dad to intervene, her flushed face a comical mix between outrage and disbelief, but he says nothing as he sizes me up with his steely gaze.

“And me, Jude? Would you challenge me?” Turning my back on her, a direct insult, I face him like the man he wishes I was as I answer his question.

“No, I wouldn’t because while I’m stronger than you, you’re a better strategist, and because of that, I would lose. But for you, the idea of losing both your remaining heirs is effective, which is why I will take Brooklynand run. You’re both too old to have another kid, so effectively ending your line is the worst thing I could do to you.”

My dad respects my courage, I can see that, and he shushes my mom and her protests with one finger. “How would you proceed then, if you were in my place?” He asks, curious and silences Mom with a look as she exclaims at my challenge.