Chapter 23 Checkmate
Checkmate
Killian dropped Ember off at home, heading straight to the Kitts’.
As badly as she wanted to go with him, she desperately needed to check on Theo.
If they had gotten to Maeve, who’s to say they hadn’t gotten ahold of Theo too?
Ember quietly walked in through the back door and made a mad dash for his room upstairs.
She felt like she might spontaneously combust as she ran, choking back the tears that she refused to let spill over.
She skidded to a halt in front of his room, suddenly unable to turn the knob. Out in the hall he was okay, no matter what lay beyond the door. She took a shaky breath and swung the door open before she could think about it any further, her bottom lip trembling as she stared at his bed.
He was sound asleep, an open book laying on his chest with his mouth hanging open.
She laughed, tears streaming down her face as she crept into his room, lying the book on his nightstand and pulling the blanket up to cover him.
Relief washed over her, though it was short lived.
Her heart sank when she thought about Fen and Eira and Otto and the aching they must be feeling.
She tried not to think about Maeve and how terrified she must be in that moment. Alone without her family.
She squeezed her eyes shut, rubbing them with the heels of her hands as hard as she could. She kicked off her shoes, climbing into bed with Theo and pulling a blanket over her. She closed her eyes, pulling him as close as possible, almost as if she thought he would slip away if she let go.
She laid there for a few minutes until her heart rate slowed and she felt confident that Theo was safe. She slipped out of Theo’s room and into her bathroom, taking a fast shower and changing into clean clothes before making her way downstairs with her bag.
“A bit early, isn’t it?” Aoife smiled playfully from her seat in the sitting room, a cup of tea balanced on her knee. Her smile faded as her eyes met Ember’s, and she furrowed her brow. “What’s wrong?”
Ember’s bottom lip trembled; her chest suddenly tight. She took a shaky breath and shook her head. “Maeve is missing,” she whispered, tears streaming down her wind-chapped cheeks.
“Oh, my love,” Aoife replied, “do they know anything yet?”
Ember shook her head as she wiped her cheek with the back of her hand. “I don’t know,” she replied. “I haven’t talked to Fen.”
“Well, do you need me there?” Aoife asked, as she adjusted the sleeve of her blouse. “I can cancel my plans for the day if you need me.”
Ember smiled as she sniffed. Something about her mum’s readiness to drop everything to help her made her feel safe, even in the wake of this disaster.
“No, I’ll be fine,” she said, as she shook her head.
Aoife cocked a brow as she looked just over Ember’s shoulder. “It seems we’re all up a little late—or early—today.”
Ember turned around to see Theo behind her, shoes on and still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
“I’m going,” he signed solemnly.
Ember shook her head.
“No,” Aoife said, as she shook her head, “no, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Not a good idea.” Ember signed.
Theo stomped his foot and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. “Going,” was all he could manage to sign in reply.
Aoife sighed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose.
“I’ll watch him,” Ember promised. “I’ll keep him safe.” But that was the problem, wasn’t it? Suddenly, nowhere felt safe anymore.
Aoife gave a nod. “You will not let him out of your sight,” she said sternly, walking across the room to kiss each of them on the head. “You will go straight there and come straight home, and you will stay together. Promise me you will stay together.”
“Of course, Mum.” Ember nodded. She would feel better if Theo was with her anyway. She couldn’t control much, but she could do her best to protect him, even if she couldn’t protect Maeve.
They took the Echopoint straight to the Kitts’ house, and by the time they arrived, the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon.
It took everything in Ember not to run all the way up the long driveway.
When she reached the steps, she paused. Did they really need her there?
Or would she just be a bother? They needed to be together as a family right now, and Ember couldn’t help but feel like she was intruding.
She flexed her hands by her side, unable to bring them up to knock on the door.
Theo squeezed her other hand, and for a moment she contemplated just turning around and leaving—until the door swung open.
Ember sucked in a breath as Fen appeared on the other side, eyes rimmed red and face blotchy.
His bottom lip quivered, like one more thing might send him toppling over the edge of the cliff he was desperately clinging to.
“You came,” he whispered, taking a shaky breath.
“Wild draics couldn’t keep me away,” she said, forcing out the words around the lump forming in her throat.
Fen wrapped her in a hug, squeezing tight for a few moments longer than he normally would’ve, and Ember made sure she wasn’t the first to let go.
They made their way inside, and Ember prepared herself to be tackled by Maeve.
It felt like a punch to the gut when the realization that that would not be happening washed over her.
The house was quiet, save for the crackling of the fire in the den and what she assumed was Eira at the stove. Ember walked into the kitchen, not entirely sure what she was going to say or how she was going to be any comfort, but she went anyway.
“I’ll meet you in the den,” Fen said, and Ember gave him a quiet nod before he left, taking Theo with him.
She wandered through the foyer and into the kitchen, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything as she watched Eira quietly at the stove.
The air was different—thicker. Like all the magic had been sucked out of the home, replaced with a cold fog that seemed to seep into her bones.
“Mu—erm… Eira?” Ember whispered, as she stepped into the kitchen. “Can I help with anything?”
Eira spun around, eyes rimmed red the same way Fen’s were, and her bottom lip quivered as she crossed the kitchen toward Ember. “My love,” she whispered, “I’m so glad you’re here.” She kissed Ember on the head, smoothing her hair. “Go sit with the boys, and I’ll bring you some tea in a moment.”
Ember nodded, leaving the kitchen, and making her way into the den.
She took a seat in the chair that had always been considered hers without a second thought, curling up in it and wrapping her arms around her knees.
Theo was on the floor playing with Della, who was content to lounge with him in front of the fire, and Fen and Killian were both on the couch.
She could see the gashes along the Cat Sidhe’s beautiful fur coat, and suddenly, she felt like she was going to be sick.
“Is she okay?” she asked, as she stared at the creature.
“We found her in Maeve’s room knocked unconscious,” Fen replied softly. “There was blood everywhere, but it looks like it was mostly from Della—though she and Maevie put up a hell of a fight.”
“The kidnapper left blood?”
Kidnapper.
The word tasted like bile in her mouth.
Fen nodded, but the grim look on his face told her it must not have amounted to much.
“It wasn’t a match for anyone in the system, or any systems that were cross referenced from the mainland. They’re a ghost.”
A chill went down her spine as she glanced over to Theo, suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to run home and lock him away for the rest of his life.
“Do they have any leads at all?” she asked after a few moments.
She knew the answer before she said it, but it was the only thing that she could think to ask.
Fen shook his head, running a hand through his hair and adjusting his glasses. “Dad’s been out since last night hell bent on searching every corner of the island,” he half laughed, as he rolled his eyes. “I think he might’ve forgotten how big it is.”
Ember jumped as she heard the front door slam shut, heavy boot steps sounding through the foyer.
Otto made his way into the den, his eyes softening as they met Ember’s. “Mo Chroí,” he whispered, wrapping her in a hug, “you’re safe?”
Ember nodded, returning the hug, feeling her anxiety ease as she let out a breath.
“Any news, Da’?” Fen asked, as he stood, eyes wide as he bit his lip.
Otto shook his head. “We’re not giving up, though. I’m heading out on the boat to check some of the surrounding islands.” He looked between the trio, his jaw set. “We will find her. I won’t stop until we do.”
Otto left the room, and they fell into silence once more.
Ember searched for something to say—anything that might comfort him—but everything seemed to fall short.
Killian was abnormally quiet as he stared in front of him, the reflection of the flames dancing across the smoke in his eyes.
She was about to suggest they play a game of cards to distract them when a knock sounded at the door.
Fen furrowed his brow as he looked between Killian and Ember.
“You expecting someone, mate?” Killian asked, the sound of his voice making Ember jump.
“No,” Fen almost whispered. “Maybe it's the Guard. Maybe they found something.”
Something like hope mixed with fear flashed across his face, and Ember swallowed dryly as her stomach did a flip.
She held her breath as she watched Eira walk through the foyer, wiping her hands on her apron, and almost jumped out of her skin as she took a few steps back, her hand flying to her mouth.
Ember held her breath as Fen flew around the couch and to the door, Killian and Ember following slowly behind him.
Killian was the first to speak, his eyes narrowed as he took a step in front of Ember. “What the bloody hell are you doing here?” he asked.
It was the man from the dock in Iceland.