“Kind of?”
“Look, it’s a long story.”
We escape into the living room, where the chaos is usually quieter. Sammy and Blue are curled up on the window seat, watching the winter landscape while drinking from matching mugs of tea. Sammy waves lazily as we pass.
I’m so glad everyone is listening to my request not to pounce on my family as soon as they arrive.
Jade is by the fireplace, rearranging the logs. When he straightens and sees Cara, he freezes, one hand still resting on the mantel.
“Hi,” he says quickly. “You must be Cara. I’m Jade.”
He shifts awkwardly, and I watch the nerves bloom across his face. He’s trying to make a good impression. He’s terrified he won’t.
Cara smiles. Broad, warm, effortless. “Hi, Jade. Flyn’s told me so much about you.”
She closes the distance and gives him a hug before he can protest. Jade stiffens for half a second, then slowly melts into it. When she lets go, he’s visibly blinking in surprise.
“Y… you’re okay with hugging me?”
She tilts her head. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I mean… I’m…”
He doesn’t finish. I know what he’s trying to say. I’ve seen that look before, the uncertainty, the years of being treated like something to be owned or used. The way he believes he is dirty and tarnished and that everyone can see it. The way he is worried that Cara is going to hate him for not being fully human.
Cara reaches out and gently touches his arm.
“Jade, I’m still figuring out all of this. A week ago, I thought vampires were a Halloween costume and that the weirdest thing about my brother was his terrible handwriting. Then the sky cracked open, and now I’ve got a daughter who talks about portals like they are nothing more than garden sheds and a brother who is part of a family of paranormal people.” She gives him a crookedsmile. “But you make my brother light up. And I trust my brother’s heart.”
Jade stares at her like she’s just spoken in poetry. “Thank you.”
“And anyway,” she adds, “I’ve always wanted a magical brother-in-law. And my kid is going to love this place.”
Jade glances at me, and his whole face softens. I see the fear loosen in his shoulders, the way he stands a little straighter now. Cara likes him. He likes Cara. We’re good. My heart swells. I’m full to bursting with love.
“You’re even sweeter than Flyn said,” Cara announces.
Jade flushes bright red. “He said I was sweet?”
Cara grins. “He wouldn’t shut up about you.”
I cough. Loudly. “Okay, all right, let’s…”
But Jade is smiling now, that rare, soft smile that he gets when he thinks no one’s looking. He glances at me like he’s surprised, and then back at Cara.
“Can I help you bring your things in?” he offers.
“I would love that.”
They walk off together, chatting already. And something in my chest settles. Deep and profound, just like I knew it would.
I knew they’d get along. Jade’s more like family than anyone I’ve ever met. Now, Cara can see that too.
I trail after them. There is no way I’m getting out of the impending, box and furniture, and lord knows what else is in that van, carrying duty.
The three of us step back outside into the crisp February air. I breathe it in deeply. It is so damn good to be out of that dungeon, and I wasn’t even in there all the time like Jade was.
Behind me, the front door opens again. Ned steps out, sipping tea, eyes on the sky, scanning for any break in the clouds that would mean he would have to scurry back inside. When he sees the kids tumbling across the lawn, Sorcha right in the middle of them, he smiles.
