Chapter 26
Kira stoodon the porch of the brownstone, inhaling lungfuls of the icy air. The ever-sturdy creepers trailing the lattice around the doorway swayed merrily in the chilly breeze. If only she could reap a little of the carefreeness from the plant.
“Lila’s a strong, capable woman,” Týr said softly from her side. “She’s not going to run screaming for the hills at the truth.” He put a palm on her taut back, urging her to enter. “It’ll be okay.”
God, she hoped so. And Týr had a point. With Gran being steeped in the supernatural world, she wouldn’t freak out. She gave him a half-hearted smile. “Thanks for being here.”
“As if I’d leave you alone to face something this important. Now, let’s go in and get this done.”
Kira opened the door to sounds of pans clattering in the kitchen. “Gran? It’s me.”
Footsteps sounded, and her beloved grandmother appeared in the doorway, her smile widening with relief. She smoothed back the loose strands of her braided hair. “I waited for you after your warrior texted that you were both back.”
Her hair shimmered silver under the lights as she passed, her color a little ashen—probably worrying too much. Kira darted over and hugged her. “I’ve missed you. Are you all right?”
“I’m well. Thank the universe you are, too,” she murmured. Kira kissed her cheek, inhaling her familiar scent of minty herbs and incense. Gran eased back. “Come, I have tea and cake ready for you both.”
Kira followed her grandmother into the kitchen, stopping near the wooden table set with a plate of iced cupcakes. She sent Týr a nervous look. He gave a nod of encouragement and leaned against the kitchen cupboard near the doorway, folding his arms over his chest.
As Gran laid out cups and poured tea, Kira pulled off her jacket and draped it over the chair. Inhaling deeply, she sat down and gratefully wrapped her cold fingers around the warm porcelain.
“Did you find the shadow hunting you?” Gran asked, taking a seat and giving Kira the opening she needed.
“No, not yet.” Kira swallowed nervously. While her friends knew the truth of her disappearance, they hadn’t told Gran anything. Her heart clopping hard in her chest, she blurted, “I was with my father. Gran, he’s not dead like we thought.”
Her grandmother looked up from her tea and stilled. One could have heard a beetle scuttling across the floor in the dead silence. It took Kira a minute to realize she didn’t seem surprised.
“You knew?” she croaked. “He told me you didn’t…oh, Lord, of course!” She jumped up and gripped the back of her chair. “Father couldn’t erase your memories, could he? Not when you’re magic yourself, being an Oracle and all.”
“I just wanted you to have a normal life.”
Normal?Kira spun away to glare out the window, struggling to breathe through her hurt. They’d deprived her of at least knowing one parent. The betrayal cut deep. Still, she could understand why they’d done it, especially considering who her father was.
So, she pulled in her hurt and shut it off, rubbing her shaky palms down her jeans. Then something else struck her. She pivoted to her grandmother. “Do you know what he is?”
Gran watched her for a silent second before she nodded.
“Then why couldn’t you tell me? Gran, I’m twenty-five! Do you realize how terrified I was at being abducted and taken to the Dark Realm because I wouldn’t willingly go? Don’t you think, even five years ago, that I was old enough to understand why you hadn’t said anything when I was younger?”
“I couldn’t—”
“How can you say that? My father lives on another realm for godsakes. He’s a Sin! Of course, he’s never going to be like normal fathers. And my mother? There isn’t even a grave I can go to talk to her! Do you know what it felt like going to school plays and piano recitals with no parents? You should have told me, at least then, I wouldn’t have felt so alone.” The words poured out in a flood, unshed tears thickening her throat.
“You want to know why I never reveal my true hair color anymore, Gran?” she asked, yanking at the spirally strands. Warm, callused hands grasped hers, stopping her from tugging at her hair. “Because the kids called me snowflake. Said it looked like snow falling on sand. I laughed it off, but in here,”—she thumped her chest with her other hand—“it hurt so much. When I got home, I wanted to cut it all off. The next thing I knew, it had turned brown.”
Gran pushed to her feet. “I know, my dearest child. I know your heartache and pain. I did my best to ease them and make up for what you lacked, but it appears I have missed so much more.”
Her dark eyes flickered with torment, her expression one of sorrow, but Kira was too upset to comfort her. She pushed away from Týr and paced the length of the table, rubbing her hot face. Týr remained close, his stare not moving off her.
“Nothing is what it seems, not in our world,” Gran said quietly, causing her to halt. “I did everything in my power to keep you safe from detection, but there was always a time limit to it. I hope you understand and I beseech you…if not for your forgiveness, then for your understanding about what I too must reveal.”
Kira narrowed her eyes. She didn’t like the sound of this. Týr stilled, making her even warier. A light emitted from her grandmother, one so bright that Kira stumbled back in alarm, almost blinded by the brilliance. Týr yanked her to him, and she pressed her face against his chest.
“Shit,” he cursed. “You—youopened the portal for me.”
What?Kira looked up in confusion. At the absolute shock on Týr’s face, her heart locked in her throat. She glanced back.
A woman, probably a few years older than herself, with hair like shimmery white satin flowing down to her hips, and skin the color of pale mocha stood there. Familiar, inky-black eyes watched her warily, only now sparks of starlight glimmered in their depths.
