“NO.”My mind screamed. I stood up.
She shot me a look but said nothing.
“Of course.” He nodded. “We just want to meet you, get to know you, and perhaps help nurture the potential hidden inside you.”
“It’s just another fucking cult.”
“Yeah, but it’s my cult.”
“Your cult?”
“My family’s cult. Who cares? It’s just a visit.”The two of us went back and forth in our minds, arguing.
“When are you going back?” Scout asked aloud to her brother.
Jaime grinned. “As soon as you agree to come with me. I have a plane ready to go.”
Scout blinked. Ludovica stood then. “Now, hold on, this is all a little fast.”
Jaime opened his mouth to protest but was interrupted by another knock on the door. We all turned, and after a second knock, Scout went to the door.
“Can we not just have one normal day?” She pulled the door open, and we all leaned forward to see Amy on the other side, holding the birdcage.
“Oh good! You’re home. This is yours.” She thrust the cage into Scout’s hand. “He was good, but I think he misses you guys. He talked a lot.” She scrunched up her nose. “Anyway, I’ve got to head out. See you guys later.” She waved uncomfortably and then left quickly.
Scout shut the door and blinked rapidly as she turned. “You got a bird?” She looked at me.
“Well— kind of,” I admitted, looking down.
“It was a gift from the High Priestess herself.” Jaime declared.
Scout brought the cage over and stared at the cover for a long moment before taking it in her hands and pulling it off. She let out a sharp squeal as the red and black parrot was revealed.
“Oh my God, he looks just like Alfie!” Her head shot up to me, and then Tippi, and then back at me. “Does he have a name?”
“Tippi,” I explained. Her eyes took on a far-off look before it clicked, and she brightened.
“As in Tippi Hedren fromThe Birds?” she asked. I nodded, and she laughed. “I love it!”
She looked at me again, and her eyes had a thin red line at the bottom. Her chin trembled with emotion. “How did you know I used to have one?”
“I went to visit Nalida,” I revealed.
“Nalida?” She furrowed her brows. “My foster sister?” It took her a minute, but then her ruby eyes went wide with realization. “She showed you my stuff!”
I nodded. “She did. Although she wasn’t happy about it. She told me all about you guys. When the opportunity came to get one of these, I had to.” I shrugged and stuffed my hands in my pockets.
“Oh, Desi,” she sighed and bent down to look at the bird some more. “I love it.”
“They fly freely in our city. Magdalena loves them. Come with me and see them in flocks,” Jaime urged.
I sighed and pulled my hand out of my pocket to run my hands through my hair. He had her with the fucking birds.
She stood then, and I could see on her face that I was right.“Okay. But only for a few weeks, at most. I can’t stay.”
“That’s fine. Come on.” Jaime moved fast, heading to the door.
Scout laughed. “Uh— we have to pack.”
