Chapter 58 #2
“There’s a servant’s quarters in the basement,” Willow said. “Four floors, twelve bedrooms and sixteen bathrooms. Ballroom on the main floor along with my father’s office at the back,” she pointed toward the ‘back’ of the property, where a massive garden loomed.
“Don’t tell me that’s a hedge maze,” Zephyr said.
Willow rolled her eyes at him, but I caught her small grin.
“My mom’s been staying on the second floor,” Willow said, pointing toward a row of windows.
“Why’s she on the second floor if she can’t move on her own? Is there a kitchenette in her room or something?” I asked.
“My father moved her up there so his business associates wouldn’t run into her while moving through the house,” Willow said darkly. “His office is at the back of the house so he can walk people through all his fancy furniture.”
“Your father-in-law’s a dick, Skye.” Zephyr said.
“He’s your father-in-law, too, you ass.” I muttered.
“Oh…that sounds gross. Don’t say that again.” Zephyr said, sounding horrified.
After watching the manor for another hour, and a short argument between Zephyr and Isaiah over who should check out the house, Zephyr slipped inside.
He trusted my affinity’s intuition, but he was clearly still trying to impress Willow, so I allowed it.
This all happened while Isaiah pouted behind us.
Once Zephyr was back, he explained that there were only a few…servants?…downstairs in the kitchen, and a maid on the top floor.
I teleported us inside so we stood at the doorway to Lauren’s bedroom.
The scene that greeted us was grim, to say the least.
The room was perfectly put together, nothing out of place. Vintage-style wooden furniture dominated the space, from the bed-frame, to the chests of drawers, to a large vanity with matching mirror.
In the center of the main wall was a large bed, with one tiny occupant. She looked just like Willow, only a little older, though her blonde hair and blue eyes were dull.
And she was incredibly frail.
Zephyr couldn’t help it, his affinity made him lurch forward. He was across the room so fast it looked like he’d teleported. He took Lauren’s tiny hand in his own, his much stronger grip softening considerably. Lauren’s hands trembled, but she looked Zephyr over without an ounce of fear.
“Wh-who are y-you?” Even her voice shook.
“Mom,” Willow breathed.
“W-willow,” Lauren croaked, then tried to grin, which really looked like a grimace. “You’re b-back. Don’t you have sc…sc…sch-ool?”
“Mom,” Willow said, kneeling down next to the bed. “This is Zephyr. He’s…” Willow side-eyed my brother, and he blinked at her. They seemed to have an entire conversation with only a look, and Zephyr shook his head.
“I’m a Healer,” he said finally.
“Like W…Wy…Wyatt?” Lauren asked weakly.
“Yes,” Zephyr said, not letting Willow speak. “Maybe I can help you?”
Lauren settled back against her pillow. “Of c-course.”
Willow stood, moving back so Zephyr could work. I took her hand, squeezing gently as I noticed tears in her eyes.
Wyatt’s never been able to help her? I asked, a little confused.
He’s never gotten this close, Willow explained, looking toward the door. My father keeps them separated. You’re sure there’s no one else here?
Positive, I replied.
Wyatt had told me his father abused him. Willow had just told me her father was becoming a creep. She was trembling beside me, listening for every little sound in the hall.
She was very afraid of her father.
Links could be protective over their Keys, sure. But this seemed different. Lauren was Willow’s mother. She had every right to see her. And what kind of a Link would isolate their sick Key like this?
You’re safe with me, Willow. I said.
I want to believe that, she replied, looking toward the door again. My father can drive people insane, Skye. You don’t understand.
I did understand, though. I’d felt Wyatt’s spike of fear every time his father was mentioned. I could hear his voice tremble just slightly at the mention of dangerous Telepaths. Rafe had been burned while trying to protect Wyatt’s mind during their incident in the military.
Willow, Zephyr said gently into our minds after several minutes of silence.
What is it?
There’s…nothing for me to heal.
Willow’s jaw dropped. We stared, dumbfounded in silence for several seconds.
You’re positive? I asked.
Yes, Zephyr growled. I know how it feels, now, since…
He gulped, and I looked up into the ceiling.
Since Levi.
Zephyr knew nothing was wrong with Lauren because he knew how Levi felt.
But…
Something is wrong, though, Willow snarled. Look at her!
I know, precious. I see what you see, I’m just telling you there’s nothing about her health causing this.
I whirled around, barely holding in a gasp.
“What?” Willow whispered harshly.
I stormed over to the nightstand, ripping open the drawer and rifling through the contents.
Zephyr patted Lauren’s shoulder –though Lauren had fallen asleep– and then went to the matching nightstand on the other side of the bed.
What am I looking for? Willow demanded as she ripped open drawers on her mother’s ornate dresser.
If it’s not her body making her sick, then something is making her sick, I explained, shutting my drawer. There was nothing questionable inside, only normal nightstand things. Where are all her ‘medications’?
That’s the bathroom, Willow said, jerking her head toward a closed door.
Zephyr joined me in the bathroom. We ripped open drawers, and I was halfway inside a cabinet while Zephyr checked the counter.
I bumped my head on the underside of the sink and hissed in pain as I backed out of the cabinet. I rubbed the back of my head, then paused as I noticed Willow in the doorway.
She’s trying to talk, she said.
I teleported back to Lauren’s bedside while Zephyr stalked out of the bathroom with Willow on his heels. Isaiah was still standing at the door, anxiously watching the hall. Willow knelt down at the bedside, taking her mom’s hand.
“Momma,” Willow said, her voice shaky. “What is it?”
“P-p…pills,” Lauren rasped. Her eyes lazily rolled to the bedroom door. “R…R…Rich…”
“Richard’s office?” I whispered.
Lauren’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly. “S…s-safe. Off…ice.”
“The safe in his office,” Willow said, standing.
I turned toward the door.
“You can’t crack a safe, Skye.” Zephyr murmured.
“No…” I said slowly. “But I know someone who might.”
“Call them,” Willow whispered. “Bring all of them. We’ll need it.”
Zephyr sighed like he was actually in pain at the idea of one of my Links coming here, like he hadn’t just been rubbing all over my best friend right behind me.
Rafe, I called out.
I felt his surprise, then he answered. Yes, my love?
I need you.