Tobie runs right over to me.
“Kyla!” she gives a cheery shout. “It’s Christmases!” She pluralizes it and both Logan and I laugh as we wish them all a merry Christmas. “I needs to find myboyfriends.” She stalks off in her red velvet gown and her hair up in pigtails with matching red velvet bows dotting each one.
Laken laughs as she bounces Charlie my way. She’s breathtakingly beautiful with her blonde curls and big doe eyes, and every one of her features is near identical to that of her father’s. She is Cooper Flanders’ daughter through and through.
Laken dots her cheek with a kiss before setting her down. “I thought I’d dress all the girls the same.”
“You all look fabulous,” I say as I give little Wesley’s foot a quick tug, and just the sight of him melts my heart. He truly is a doppelgänger to my twins at that age.
“Come here.” I pluck the little nugget out of Coop’s arms. He’s only a few months older than Jaxson, and I know they are going to be the best of friends. “You are far too precious for words.” Tears sting my eyes without warning.
“Hey.” Coop nods to Logan and me. “Wes and I were talking. This virus that’s going around is hitting hard. We’re thinking this could be the next plague.”
A heavy groan comes from me. “Boy, you two are fun at parties.”
Laken chuckles. “Sorry, I’m the one who told them to bring it up asap. I overheard Wes and Coop whispering about creating a vaccine, and I thought it should be brought to your attention.”
Wes nods. “I’ve already talked to Ezrina. We’re going to roll up our sleeves and get to work in the morning, side by side.”
Coop wraps an arm around Laken. “We need to help humanity in any way we can. And I think Wes and Ezrina are the sharpest tools in our arsenal.”
“Absolutely,” I say. “I agree. I haven’t checked the news today, but last I heard it was hitting the Far East pretty hard.”
“Oh, Skyla.” Laken shakes her head. “It’s already devastated so many countries.”
Logan sighs. “The death toll has exceeded two hundred thousand worldwide. It’s just a matter of time before it sweeps across the country. I think we need to act fast.”
Ezrina and Nev walk through the door with baby Alice and our depressing conversation takes a happy turn as we greet them. Alice is dressed in an emerald green gown, and with her red hair she looks like the belle of the Christmas ball. She spots Misty and Ember and takes off in their direction.
Wesley and Coop quickly corner Ezrina and Nev, and Laken comes in close.
“I’ve got an idea, and it might just be good news.” Laken gives a wily grin.
“Speak,” I say. “We can use a good idea or ten. Even though Celestra is technically on top, it still feels as if I’m spinning my wheels. I can’t figure out how to unseat the Fems, I can’t convince Gage he’s living in a delusion, and I can’t even convince my own family, my own people, I’m reallyme. Not to mention my mother in the sky outright refuses to see me. Nor can I take Chloe to the Justice Alliance because of thatall is fair in love and warhorseshit. I can use some good news.”
“Well, it is good news.” Laken gives a little curtsy. “I think you should imprison the imposter—as in Chloe.” She nods my way. “Wes said he could lock her in the basement of his place, but you’d need to have a supervising spirit in play to make sure she doesn’t get away. I’d suggest Tenebrous, but I think we should keep a much closer eye on her.”
Logan shakes his head. “I don’t know.” He gives me the side-eye. “Chloe is a time bomb no matter where she’s located. And if she disappears, people might speculate that the lies she’s spouting off are true. Your people love you, Skyla. They’d storm the castle walls to make sure you were brought home safely.”
“When she let me borrow her body, she made me promise I wouldn’t banish her.”
Laken rolls her eyes. “Skyla, promises are made to be broken. How many promises has that witch desecrated? She needs to be stopped. I say let Wes put her in a cage where she belongs.”
I glance to my right, only to find the witch herself looking right back at me. She looks every bit perplexed as she talks to Bree, Em, Michelle, and Lexy. Animated in just the way that I’m prone to be. And deep in the nexus of my existence, I feel sorry for her. Chloe is forever crying out for attention, and this new iteration is simply that. She’s craving, longing to be accepted.
“I don’t think Chloe needs isolation,” I say. “If anything, she needs more people in her life. I saywestorm the castle walls, Laken. You and I need to go all in, trying to form a genuine friendship with her.”
“Bad news, Logan.” Laken leans forward and checks my head for a fever. “I think the delusion is spreading.”
No sooner does she say it than the grand delusionary king himself walks in.
“Merry Christmas,” Gage grunts without so much as looking our way as he sails to the family room, and I hear Nathan and Barron screaming with delight.
Laken presses her hand to her chest. “I’m sorry,” she mouths. “I think the buffet is open.” She offers an apologetic smile. “Anyone care to join me?”
“You go ahead,” I say and watch as she takes off.
Revelyn Booth walks in and Mia tackles him with an aggressive thrust of a kiss.
