“We help Acheron escape. Maybe fight a demon or two and don’t die.” Nick grinned.
“That the plan?” Bubba asked.
Aeron cleared his throat. “Aye. Especially thedon’t diepart. I’m rather all about it.”
Xev nodded. “I also vote that we add a no-torture clause. Been there, done that, and I really don’t recommend a repeat … It’s not shampoo.”
Snorting, Nick turned the subject back to the important part. “Anyway, I’m thinking this is a chess game, and we need to rescue our king.”
“Wait … I’m not sure about that analogy. If Acheron is king, wouldn’t that make my father queen?”
Nick grinned at Kody. “Co-kings?”
“On my father’s behalf, thank you.”
“You’re most welcome.”
They turned to face Bubba. His expression grim, he let out a long, tired breath. “I’m having PTSD. I’ll take you, but if Cyprian catches us …”
“He won’t,” Nick said with a confidence he didn’t really feel.
“What makes you so sure?”
“He thinks we’re in the past. I’m hoping by the time he realizes we’ve gone forward, we’ll have Acheron back.”
“And if he figures it out sooner?”
“That’s why I’m Catholic, Bubba.” Nick crossed himself. “I have faith and prayer.”
Sadness darkened Bubba’s eyes. “You sound so much like your mama.”
Nick sobered as he realized what he’d inadvertently done. Bubba had dated his mom for years. The two of them had loved each other. But Bubba’s fear of making his mom a target had kept him from marrying her.
Likewise, his mother’s fear of happiness had kept her from wanting to marry. Every time anything good happened in her life, she’d had an equal or worse dose of bad.
I always pay for my happiness, Nicky. Sometimes, the price is just too high, and I’ve had enough of it. I just can’t risk it.
Funny how people manifested their fears. His mom and Bubba had been so afraid of losing each other that they had stayed apart.
Had Bubba been there that night …
His mom would still be alive.
Even so, Nick didn’t blame Bubba. Her death was on his head, alone. Even though he had blamed Acheron for it for years, he knew the truth. He’d been the one who’d left her on a night when he should have stayed by her side. He’d known the dangers. Known what wanted to kill him.
And he’d left her to fend for herself against a demon.
After all she’d sacrificed to keep and raise him, he’d failed her.
Don’t think about it.
But it was hard. Past mistakes were haunting, no matter how many years passed. No matter how much he wanted to forget. He kept playing out scenarios.
Would have. Should have. Could have.
They were the real enemies of life. The true demons that haunted everyone. If only there was some exorcism for them.
Not even time really helped.
