“Ree, I’m coming in with you and Paden. The others are surrounding the house and looking for Teagan.” Sophie closed her cell phone and stuck it in her back pocket.

“Well, then. Let’s go in there and find out what they want.” Taking a deep breath, Ree squared her shoulders and pulled as much power as she could hold.

Chapter 31

They were sitting in the living room. One of the darklings, a tall man in his forties, sat next to her mother. A coffee cup was sitting on a saucer with several untouched cookies. Another man stood near the old fireplace, his arms crossed in front of his chest while he glowered at Ree’s mother. Her father was sitting on the arm of the sofa next to his wife. He, too, had his arms crossed. Paden’s father and mother were standing near the front windows, their expressions wavering from angry to disgusted.

“Mom, Dad.” Ree scanned her parents to make sure they were both unhurt before letting her eyes travel over the closest threat.

“Susan, I’ll handle this.” After patting her mom’s hand, Ree’s father stood up. “Where the hell have you been?” His eyes catalogued her clothes before looking at Paden and then Sophie. “I’m not sure what you have to do with this, but since Ree has started working for you she’s been getting into trouble. I’d tell you to get out of my house, but I think you should stay. Whatever these detectives are here to talk to us about probably concerns you as well.”

Sophie nodded her head, but offered no excuse. She moved so she wasn’t blocked by either Paden or Ree, and Ree had the uncomfortable realization that it was so she could have a clear shot at the darklings.

“Paden, we told you that you were not to spend any more time with Ree.” Paden’s father was a portly man in his late forties. He didn’t raise his voice, but the disappointment was obvious. It was very clear this was exactly the type of thing that had them worried.

Ree felt a twinge of hurt. She had known Paden’s father for longer than she could remember. To think that he thought so little of her was painful, but she didn’t have time to really focus on it.

“What do you want?” Turning her attention on the darklings, Ree ignored everyone else in the room.

“We’re here to ask the questions.” The man sitting next to her mother leaned forward. “What were you doing last night, around ten o’clock?”

“Move away from my mother.” The words were simple; her tone was not. Ree did her best to keep the power in check. If she wasn’t careful she was going to start floating in front of her family.

“Ree.” Her mother’s face was shocked. “You had better answer the detective’s questions.”

“Mom, these are not detectives.”

“Ree, you’ve met these detectives before. They’re the ones that came the night Tristan died.” Her father frowned as if something was tugging at his memory. “Now answer their questions.”

Stomach clenching, Ree felt as if she had been punched in the gut as she remembered that awful night. He mother’s instant grief was almost overpowering. Paden stepped closer as if to offer his support, but she was starting to get used to that mental sting. The hurt didn’t seem to hurt as long.

“Dad, you don’t understand. These guys are not good guys. They’re the reason that Tristan was killed.”

“What do you mean by that?” Her father looked from her to the two men staring at his daughter hungrily. “That’s a very serious accusation.”

“We did not kill Tristan.” The man by the fireplace smiled at Ree.

“It was his decision to become a Dark One. Della learned from her previous mistakes. She knew he had to be willing.” The man on the couch looked at Ree with eyes that were too dark.

“What is going on here?” Paden’s father stepped in front of his wife, letting his gaze move from one darkling to the other. “I thought you told me that this had something to do with the shooting at that bar.”

“Oh, it does. We wanted to let you know your children were involved in the fiasco at Club Barlow. They stuck their noses into something that didn’t concern them.”

“Now, I think that might be an exaggeration. After all, you’re doing the exact same thing.” Sophie narrowed her gaze on the darkling standing by the fireplace.

“Guardian, this is between the children and their parents.” The darkling next to Ree’s mother hissed at Sophie, his eyes growing dark in frustration.

“Guardian?” Ree’s father moved to pull his wife to her feet, but the darkling grabbed her arm with viselike fingers.

“Let go of me!” Susan pulled against his grip, but gained no leeway.

Ree reacted immediately. The power flared out from her raised hand and flung the darkling holding her mother against the wall above the sofa. He kept hold of her mother, pulling her out of her seat until his head cracked against the wall. His fingers went limp and Ree’s mother scrambled toward her husband. Paden’s father was cursing as he pulled his wife behind him and away from the commotion.

The other darkling launched himself at Ree while she was distracted. Sophie met him with a growl, lifting him from the ground and throwing him out of the front window. Ree grabbed her mother’s hand and tried to pull her toward the kitchen, but she wouldn’t budge. Following her line of sight, Ree realized the darkling she had attacked was staring blankly at the ceiling. His head cocked at a funny angle. Bile rose in Ree’s throat, but she quickly swallowed it. Now’s not the time, Ree, she thought to herself.

“C’mon, Mom! We’ve got to go.”

Paden was herding his parents out of the room, but his eyes were on Ree. Fear was etched on his face, and he jerked his head toward the broken window. Shock caused her to skid to halt as she looked outside. It was unnaturally dark. So dark that someone driving down the street had turned on their headlights. A sleek head lifted from the shadows the shrubs offered and winked at Ree.

The redheaded Guardian launched herself into the room and shook her head. “Well, Alastriana, you sure know how to throw a party.” Teagan looked at the dead darklings and frowned.

“Good God. What happened to you?” Ree couldn’t help but stare at the small woman. Teagan was covered in blood and dirt from head to toe.

“Someone thought it would be a good idea to try and kidnap me. Apparently, they thought I was their ticket into Della’s good graces.” Frowning, Teagan pulled a leaf out of her hair and dropped it on the rug. “But we have more important things to talk about. Like the fact that this dark is wrong. I have a feeling we’re going to have company soon.”

“Who the hell are you, and what the hell is going on?” Ree’s mother looked from Teagan to the dead detectives and back to the small redhead.

“A pleasure to meet you, ma’am. A shame it’s under these circumstances.” Teagan walked past Ree’s mother and handed something to Sophie, who—for the first time Ree could remember—cursed out loud. Ree only had a quick glance of an S-shaped pendant hanging from a broken chain.

“That pretty much sums it up.” Teagan walked past everyone, grabbed a towel off of the sink ledge, and dabbed at a nasty cut on her head. It was healing, but still dripped blood in her eyes.

“Paden, tell us what is happening right this moment.” Paden’s father pulled him around, his eyes wide and angry.

“The short version is that there are evil gods wanting to take over the world, and Ree is the only one that can stop them.” Paden moved so he could see out the front window, his eyes searching the darkness.

“Paden O’Reilly, you tell us the truth right now. And what the hell does any of this have to do with you?” Paden’s mother spoke up, her hands clenched on the counter of the kitchen island. “There are two dead detectives, for God’s sake!”

“Everything.” Turning around, Paden flashed his fangs. “And it has everything to do with you and Dad.” His mother made a choked sound of fear, her face ashen.

“Ree?” Susan turned Ree around to look at her face. Ree didn’t hide the glow of her eyes, letting everyone in the room see. Her mother raised a hand and cupped Ree’s cheek. “What… What has happened to you? Are you okay?”

Touching her mother’s hand, Ree nodded. “I’m fine, Mom. But there’s a lot going on that you’re just going to have to trust me about.” She paused for a moment and felt her chest constrict. Her mother was not going to handle what she had to say well. “Mom, there’s something you have to know. And… and it’s going to upset you.” Taking a deep breath, Ree launched into what she knew would destroy her mother. “Tristan is alive. No, not alive. He died the night of his accident, but he came back as something terrible. He killed Claire and a bunch of other people. He wants to kill me and won’t stop until he does.”

Silence blanketed the room, as Susan looked at Ree with large eyes. Ree’s father moved behind his wife and set his hands on her shoulders. Deep lines etched his forehead and around his mouth, and his eyes were unfathomable as he looked at Ree. Susan had gone completely still; her eyes, however, were feverishly bright. Ree could feel her mother’s emotions tumbling through her mind. Fear, anger, pain, and hurt were exactly what Ree had expected. What she hadn’t been prepared for was the determination that accompanied the need to protect Ree.

“Mom?” Ree squeezed her mother’s hand.

“I will not lose you, too.” Susan’s eyes grew hard, while Ree’s father’s lightened in relief.

“You won’t.” Paden moved so he was standing behind Ree.

“Paden.” His mother shook her head in denial. “This is crazy. Really crazy.”

“Look at the facts, Mom. Look at Ree’s eyes. I have fangs, for God’s sake. Fangs! Ree is the Alastriana, destined to fight for the survival of mankind. And I’m immortal. I’m her Guardian because of the blood that runs through my veins. It runs through both of yours.”

Ree felt her eyes widen as she turned to look at Sophie in shock. “Did I change them? Will they be immortal now?”

“I’m not sure, Ree. Usually the change will not take effect once a person hits their forties, but I have met some Guardians that turned just before they were fifty.” Sophie looked at Paden’s parents in curiosity. “Honestly, with the way—”

The sound of the front door bashing open caused everyone to jerk in response. Sophie and Paden moved so they were standing in front of the kitchen entrance. Drake walked in, carrying Melanie in his arms. Roland had a grim expression as he moved to clear the island. He quickly knocked the vase of flowers and plates onto the floor so Drake could lay Melanie down.

“Melanie!” Ree threw herself at the counter and looked at the blood running from a deep would in her side.

“She’ll be fine, Ree.” Roland’s face was blank as he pulled Mel’s blood-soaked shirt back from the wound. Melanie whimpered and squeezed Drake’s hand. “Paden, if you will help her out, it will speed the process.”

“Paden?” His mother moved next to her son and examined the wound. Ree had the jarring realization that Paden’s mother was an E.R. doctor. Apparently, healing didn’t only come from the gifts of Brigid. “She needs to go to the hospital.”

“Dr. O’Reilly? Melanie would heal on her own, but Paden can help her do it much faster.” Ree touched the small dark-haired woman’s arm and felt relief when she didn’t jerk away in disgust. “Just watch.”

Paden held his hands over Melanie’s wound. She had her eyes closed and her mouth moved in a silent prayer. After a moment, a glow grew in the space between Paden’s hands and Melanie’s waist. It only took a few seconds before Melanie completely healed. Drake helped her sit up and sling her legs over the side of the counter. Paden sat down on one of the stools and closed his eyes. Ree touched his shoulder and he dipped his head so it was resting on her hand.

“Wow. That sucked.” Melanie was looking at her abdomen, her eyebrows drawn together. “Thanks, Paden. I didn’t expect them to have guns. I don’t know why, but it just wasn’t in my mind at all.”

“They shot you?” Ree winced in sympathy. “Who was it?”

“There are darklings all over the place. I think they’re getting ready for something big.” Melanie hopped off the counter and stretched. “It’s going to be a long night.”

“How did you do that, Paden?” His mother was looking at him with wide eyes. “You healed her.”

“Brigid, the goddess of the Celts, is a healer.” Paden picked up his head and looked at his mother. “But from you, I have the blood of Poseidon.”

“Poseidon.” Taking a deep breath, his mother clenched her hands at her side.

“Roland, where are the others?” Sophie grabbed the dish cloth Teagan had used earlier and wiped some of the blood off of the island.

“They’re doing the rounds. Juliette was trying to figure out what was going on with the weather, but I don’t think it’s going to matter.” Roland leaned against the counter.

“Loki has upped the ante.” Sophie tossed him the pendant Teagan had given her and watched his expression.

“So, there are at least two set against us.” Roland’s eyes darkened and his fingers closed around the pendant. “Has no one come forward? No one to openly help us?”

“Not that I am aware of, no.” Sophie set the bloody rag in the sink.

“That’s not exactly true.” Ree looked at them and frowned. “I had a dream the other night and Hecate warned me that ‘he’ was more dangerous than the others thought.”

“When did you see Hecate?” Sophie moved close to Ree.

“Last night in a dream. She said I had crossed some sort of boundary.” Ree bit her bottom lip and tried to not think about the horror Sophie was feeling.

“You crossed the boundary? Where did you go?”

“A throne room.”

Sophie let loose a string of words in what Ree could only assume was ancient Greek. Roland’s eyes looked fearful, and Ree could tell it stemmed from an old fear. Something had happened to him long ago, and she wondered if it had to do with Ares.

“Why? Why would they set themselves against us?” Melanie looked at Sophie in fear. “This isn’t just manipulating the situation. They have chosen the other side.”

“I would like a better explanation of what is going on.” Ree’s father still had his hands on his wife’s shoulders. “Who has chosen sides and against whom? You? I mean, us?”