“She’s not going to answer us. I’d take us to her if I could, but any extra powers these babies have gifted me are quickly fading.” I’ve had the ability to head to Ahava on my own, but with the boys and Chloe, I don’t think I can make thetrip.
“She’ll respond, Skyla. You’re forgetting, I’m a lot like Demetri. When I want something or someone, I most certainly move heaven and hell, life and death, to get my way.” Her words sizzle around the room like eggs on a hot skillet. “Candace fucking Messenger, get down here right this minute! I’m in bed with your precious child, and I’m thinking about humping her for the hell of it. I’m within biting distance of those babes you hold dear but never near. And I’m about to touch one and lay claim to his soul,” Chloe moans as if she’s conducting a séance, and both boys fuss andkick.
“You’re such a circus, Chloe. Would you knock it off? In fact, I think you shouldgo.”
But Chloe doesn’t leave. Instead, she gets on all fours, and her face contorts into a holy menace as she bears her teeth towardBarron.
“I am going toeatyou!” she chides as I roll my eyes and kick her in the shin. “Then I’m going toeatyour little brother,too!”
“Would you stop? There’s no way my mother is falling for that. She’s waytoo—”
An explosion of blinding light goes off in the closet, forcing us to close our eyes. A rumble of thunder growls around the room before the door slowly opens, revealing not only my mother in all her incandescent glory but a button-nosed little girl with her daddy’s dark hair, deep-welled dimples, and a smile that makes my heartmelt.
“Sage!” I can’t contain my excitement. My heart bursts open with joy like a piñata as I extend my arms toward her. Sage didn’t make the duration of my pregnancy. I lost her early on, but my mother has taken her under her feathery wing. And since my mother wants nothing whatsoever to do with infants, she’s aged Sage to about the ripe old age of five. “Come to Mommy.” I don’t hesitate with the moniker. It feelsnatural.
“Mommy?” She tries it out on her perfect bow tie lips as she hops on over. She was so painfully shy the last time I saw her—still wrapping herself around my mother’s legs like a tree post. She looks up at Candace, the smile quelling on her face. “May I, Your GraceCandace?”
“Yes, you may.” My mother chortles. It seems Sage has even managed to bring my mother’s sour countenance a sprinkle of joy. And if anything, my mother does appreciate a good game of Mother May I. It seems to be our go-to shenanigan each time we’re together. Only in my case my mother repeatedly disallows my nextmove.
I wrap my arm around Sage and bury my face in her dark, glossy hair. She holds the scent of lemons and peppermint. Just holding her like this is heaven. I can’t bear to let go. Gage should be here. He needs to see what he’s lost, too. She’s so much like him in every way it breaks my heart allover.
“This is your brother, Barron.” I hold him out for her to see, and he dislodges from mynipple.
“And this is Nathan.” My mother scoops the baby out of the swing. “Skyla, why do you insist on keeping them in that dizzyingcontraption?”
“Because they insist on not sleeping. Can’t you cast a spell or something and make this happen? I’m knee-deep indelirium.”
“Skyla!” my mother barks. “I do notcast spells.” She coos into Nathan’s face as she holds him over her head, “No, Your Grace does not partake in suchabominations.”
Sage touches the tip of Barron’s big toe, and he gives a husky giggle ofdelight.
“He’s laughing.” I marvel as his tiny dimples go off. It’s a bona fide Gage Oliver dimple explosion in the room, and the only living person I’m able to share this special moment with is Chloe. A thick sadness spreads over me at the thought. In the least I should have Logan here, but I’m currently still pissed at him aswell.
Sage settles her eyes on the dark-haired demon to my left. “And who is this,Mommy?”
My heart warms when she says my name once again. “This is Chloe Bishop. She’s sort of a friend.” Dear God, did I just spout off a blatant lie to my own child? In all honesty, though, at the moment, Chloe and I have called an official truce. That whole friendship thing is true ineffect.
“Chloe?” Her tiny dark brows furrow with worry before her entire face lights up. “Oh, yes! Uncle Logan has told me all about you!” Her mouth grows wide with surprise, but my heart tugs at the factUncleLoganhas spent precious time with my little angel. I know which Logan she’s referring to, the one already on the other side of the great cosmic divide. The one that just so happened to land there right after Chloe chopped his head off. “You’rewicked!”
Chloe grunts and growls before a slim smile tugs at her lips. “Why, yes. Yes, I amwicked. Your Uncle Logan is correct.” She matches her fingertips together while perfectly impersonating a villain. “You may look like your daddy, but you are your mother’s child through and through—speaking before thinking. Actions, then consideration or lack thereof.” She smacks her lips with disdain at my precious little girl. “I wouldn’t get too close. I happen to think little children taste like candy, and my appetite is churning for atreat.”
“Chloe,” I bite her name out like areprimand.
“Oh, Mommy, you’re so brave!” Sage leans in toward the wicked wart taking up precious real estate on my mattress. “She’s so close to you, and to the babies! I bet she really is going to eat them. Aren’t you?” Sage’s fascination with the nefarious witch only seems togrow.
“Yes, I am, little Sage Oliver.” Chloe’s dark, hollow eyes fixate on my precious baby girl. “I’m going to eat your mommy and yourdaddy, too!” Chloe wiggles her fingers at my beautiful princess, and I lift my foot to her until sherelents.
“Behave.”
My mother belts out a bubbling laugh. “Oh, Skyla. Chloe doesn’t know the meaning of the word. But I’ll take care of the nuisance for you.” She heads over to the casement window and scrolls it open. “Where is that dingbat and his betrothed that I giftedyou?”
“Holden,” I whisper like a secret to Sage, and she wrinkles her tiny little nose as if she’s already been apprised of who he is as well. I bet my father and Logan are having a ball with her in paradise. I would. And just like that, I’m terminally jealous of the fact my father and Logan are dead. Gofigure.
“No! Not Holden,please.” Chloe gags and writhes, which can only mean my raven and his lady bird friend are quickly drawing near. Holden is essentially Chloe repellent, which is why I appreciate him so damn much. “I have to go.” Chloe claws against the walls as if she were about to fashion a brand newexit.
“What?” my mother balks. “And miss the party?” She gives another bubbling laugh. “But you’re my daughter’s closest confidant.” Her words are cutting, dripping with sarcasm. “You’re working together now, aren’t you? We were just about to strategize her next move. Aren’t you in the least bit curious what that might be? Please, dostay.”
A guttural groan evicts from Chloe’s throat. “Can’t breathe—so sick.” She holds a hand out to Sage who wisely backs away. Her tiny face fills with horror. Both Nathan and Barron pick up on the agitation in the room and begin to grunt andkick.
