Thirty-Seven
It was almost sunset when I saw Damien again.
He was in the study I'd caught Asmodeus in before. I had one last chance to try and stop him before we would go to my parents' house. If I wanted to stop him, now was the chance.
He smiled when he saw me approach him. "You glamoured your hair."
I picked up the long brown braid over my shoulder. "I didn't want to startle them. Short silver hair would raise questions."
His smile wasn't Damien's at all. It was so Robyn it made goosebumps rise. "How practical." He looked me over. "You even dulled your fae features. You almost look human again."
I nodded, sheepishly. After watching myself in the mirror, I was able to glamour some parts of myself to look less like a fae and more of what I looked like before.
My skin was too perfect, radiated too much health from what I remembered.
I tried not to look too lean either, I'd always been too rail-thin for my own good and I tried to imitate it again.
In the end, I thought I could pass for what I looked like before I was Unbound.
Hopefully, my parents wouldn't look too carefully.
Robyn leaned back in his chair behind the desk as I approached him and smiled. He saw my playful mood. "Someone is happy."
I gave him my best smile as I got close enough to touch him.
I leaned against his desk next to him. "I wanted to apologize for this morning.
" I shrugged. "You're right. I haven't been exactly forthcoming with affection.
" He didn't move from his chair. "You've been perfect with me. I have been unreasonable."
His smile didn't waver. "I assume you're here to make it up to me?"
I nodded, biting my bottom lip. As soon as I leaned close, he stood, placing his hands on my shoulders. "You're trying to get out of this, aren't you?"
Crap. I let out a long sigh. "Is it that obvious?"
He laughed. He placed his hand behind my neck and planted a kiss on my forehead.
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply.
"You're ready, Em. I'll be there with you the entire time." He paused. "Do you trust me?"
The question hurt more than I thought it would. I didn't trust Robyn. But Damien?
I looked up at him and met his violet eyes, resolutely. I wrapped my hand around his wrist and with everything I had in me, I reached out to Damien. It was a long shot, I knew, but I reached out to him, imagined him being the one to stand in front of me and not his treacherous uncle.
And for a moment, I believed it.
I believed that it was my childhood friend in front of me. That we finally had our moment, that it was our time - that the unspoken words and feelings between us finally came to light and that being with each other was easy.
And there was nothing stopping us from being genuinely happy.
Together and happy.
I stepped on my toes and closed the distance between our lips.
At first, he was startled but then he responded with his own intensity. He placed his hands on my upper arms and pulled me closer. His fingers were sure to leave bruises.
Eventually, I pulled away and looked at his half-closed eyes. It was like seeing him again. The boy I had grown up with was with me at that moment. "Damien," I said with sincerity. "I trust you with my life."
He gave a half-laugh under his breath. His eyes met mine and the moment was gone. Icy steeliness came back over his features.
The moment was gone quickly. It wasn't my friend in front of me anymore. It was Robyn wearing his face. And he let me know it. I could see it in his smug smile -the one that didn't quite reach Damien's eyes.
Damien's long finger touched my cheek. "Good."
A moment later a doorbell rang followed by barking making me look around in panic.
He'd spectered us to my parent's front porch without me noticing.
I stepped back from him, looking at my surroundings.
It had recently rained. I could smell it in the air.
There were raindrops on the flowers my mother had over the porch railings and steps.
I looked down the quiet street drenched in the light of the setting sun.
I didn't realize how much I missed suburbia - the normalcy of my childhood. I missed the familiarity of the paint on the door, the 'welcome' signage, the windchimes that hung from the porch ceiling.
The door opened and immediately I heard my mother's squeal of excitement.
Before I could form another thought, she captured me in one of her massive hugs.
Immediately, I hugged her back, breathing in her familiar scent.
Her favorite perfume welcomed me in its own embrace and I was lost in the nostalgia of my human life.
"Emmy!" I could hear her surprise and excitement in her voice. "We didn't know you were coming!"
I didn't want to let her go even as she began to pull away. Reluctantly, I did and I watched her green eyes look at me then Damien.
I always knew my mother was somewhat unsettled with Damien's perfect features. Though she didn't dare say it out loud, I knew she though he was too perfect.
I cleared my throat. "Damien was nice enough to pick me up from the airport for the surprise."
She looked at the floor. "Where are your bags?"
I shook my head. "It's only a quick trip. I have to catch the red-eye back." How easy it was to slip back into lying to her.
I could see the disappointment on her face but as soon as it appeared it was gone. "That's all right, I'll take you for as long as I can. Come in, come in! You, too, Damien!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.
Woof stood a distance away from us, barking at us as if we were intruders. "Woof!" I called the small Pomeranian. "Come here, it's me!"
He stood his ground and continued to bark even louder. Woof only ever liked Damien and would go running to him when he saw him. It wasn't lost on me how different he acted around him or me.
My mother sighed and picked Woof up. "What's gotten into you?
" She asked him as she gently hushed him.
"I'll put him in the laundry room in a second.
" I didn't fight her as she led me through the hall then to the kitchen and, finally, to the living room.
"Jack! Jack, stop watching television for a moment. Look who's here!"
My father was in the leather recliner he would usually sit in after work. He was watching what seemed to be an action movie.
It was nice to know some things never changed.
My father's relief and happiness were immediate and in no time he captured me in a large hug as well. "It is so good to see you, Emmy." He looked over to Damien and extended his hand. As soon as they shook hands in greeting, he turned back to me. "How is the internship going?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Good. Very good." I lied through my teeth. "They might even offer me a position once I graduate."
My mother returned empty-handed. Woof's barks were muffled several doors away in the laundry room.
She started clapping her hands. "I'm so happy everyone is here!
I'm going to open a bottle of wine! Oh, and there's some steaks I was leaving out for tomorrow evening, we'll just cook those now!
Emmy, I'll make you the farro salad you like so much. "
My father moved to the fridge. "That's a great idea, Fran. Damien, would you like to help me make the steaks on the grill outside?"
I watched Damien. He only smiled as if nothing was amiss, ever the gentleman, he answered, "Yes, of course."
My dad began to rifle through the refrigerator and eventually pulled out a plate with raw steaks with saran wrap over the top.
Before anyone else could protest, I seized my chance. I practically skipped into the dining room. "I'll get everyone a drink!"
The formal dining room was only ever used for special occasions -mainly when dinner was with someone other than the three of us. It also had the bar in the corner with the wine glasses and bottles for entertaining.
It was the perfect cover to sneak in the pomegranate juice into their wine without anyone noticing.
I worked quickly. I grabbed the wine bottle opener from the cabinet and a red wine bottle I knew everyone liked.
Uncorking the bottle, I immediately poured two glasses.
I looked over my shoulder and noticing no one was there, I reached into my pocket and took out the vial.
I hurriedly poured the juice into the two glasses and tucked the vial back into my pocket.
"Mom, Dad, wine!"
With glasses in my hand, I turned and almost ran into Damien.
My breath hitched. How much had he seen? Did he see me with the juice?
I watched his expression. It didn't show any suspicion, in fact, he had a smug smile on his face.
I tried to play dumb. "What?"
"Are you happy?"
I smiled back. The smile I knew Robyn liked the most. "Yes, of course."
He leaned forward towards me and placed a sweet kiss on my cheek. He lingered near my cheek. "I can tell. You're absolutely glowing, Em."
I smiled faintly. If only Damien was the one telling me that.
Someone behind him cleared their throat. When I leaned to my side to look around Damien, I saw my parents with smiles of their own.
My mom was absolutely beaming. "I knew it!"
I pulled away from Damien and handed them each their glasses. "Here. No." I pointed looked at my mom as she took her glass. "I will answer your questions later."
She knew what I meant - not answering questions until we were alone. But my mother couldn't wait. She didn't stop smiling. "Jack, go, take Damien before the steaks burn."
My father frowned. "What? They're not even on the grill."
She quickly turned to him and immediately, he began to walk away. "Uh, come on, Damien," he nodded to the back of the house. "Let me show you the new chairs we have on the deck."
I turned back to the bar and poured a glass of wine for Damien, handing it to him right after.
Damien laughed and I heard my father mumble as he walked away, "After thirty years of marriage she still seems to be able to scare the crap out of me."
My mother wouldn't let me out of her cross-hairs. I felt her gaze on me as I poured myself a glass and took a long drink.
"Well?"
I still couldn't look at her.
I knew what it looked like when she walked in. Damien and I never showed an inkling of romantic affection towards each other in all the years we'd known each other. Despite my mother's daydreams of seeing her daughter be with someone as kind and funny as Damien, we all knew it wouldn't happen.
I couldn't imagine what she was thinking as she walked in on us sharing a not so normal moment.
"What happened to Leah?"
I rolled my eyes.
What happened to Leah?
She was exiled from the Underworld, the dark fae kingdom because she tried to kill me.
Instead of killing me, she unbound my fae power.
I'm the last of my kind after the genocide carried out by the man who is currently possessing my best friend's body.
Who, coincidentally, was probably the love of my life, but there's another man who I suspect could be more than just a friend ...
I only shrugged. "It didn't work out between them."
She could see that I didn't want to talk about it and thankfully, she didn't press.
"Whatever this change is, it's good for you, Emmy.
You're not hiding behind your glasses anymore and you've gained weight.
That's happy weight - wait," her eyes widened.
"You're not pregnant, are you?" She began to panic.
"Oh, my God, at least tell me you're using protection-"
I covered my ears with my hands despite one having a glass of wine in it. "Oh, gods, please stop."
"Emylin Grace Sanders," her stern motherly voice came out. "You are too smart for this -"
I stomped my foot and finally met her gaze. "We haven't done anything, Mother! Please stop."
She looked at me, puzzled. "Nothing?"
I let out a sigh and ran a hand over my face. "It's complicated. I don't really want to talk about it tonight. Please."
"All right. Fine. But we will talk about it at some point. When you're comfortable."
I wouldn't. "Fine," I said out loud. I took a small sip of my wine. "Mom, can I ask you a weird question?"
I saw the concern on her face. She crossed the room and took my hand. "Of course, darling. You can ask me anything."
She knew the question I was about to ask was big.
She could sense my nervousness as I gathered the courage to ask.
I needed to know. After everything that happened - I still didn't know who I was.
I didn't know how I came to be human, how my parents were chosen to be my parents. If they were chosen.
All I knew was that they were human.
And I was not.
I could sense it as soon as I saw them.
Everyone in the Underworld had an aura about them. It was magic. I could sense the magic within them.
And my parents had none.
I sighed heavily. "Am I adopted?"
Confusion wrinkled her brows. "Emmy, what kind of question is that?"
I shook my head. "Am I?"
She took my free hand in both of hers, setting her glass down on the empty bar next to us.
Her green eyes were just as I remembered them and my heart ached.
No matter what she said, she would always be my mother.
She was the one that treated scraped knees, tucked me into bed at night, read me my favorite stories.
She would always be the woman I looked up to, the one I looked to for strength.
The one I would try and model myself after.
My father would always be my father. The one that shared his love for books, science, science fiction and computers with me.
The one that always made sure I was taken care of, that I knew how to change a tire on my own so I didn't need to rely on anyone.
He was the one that taught me self defense as a child so that I wouldn't be be preyed on after what he had seen on the news.
He always wanted to make sure I could fend for myself.
My parents were my parents. It was their love that shaped me. That made me the person I was. Nothing would change that.
She smiled and pulled me down to kiss my forehead.
"You are not adopted," she said her lips brushing against my forehead.
"I wouldn't have been in labor for fourteen hours and been the first to hold you if you were.
" We both laughed as she grabbed the glass again.
"You're my daughter. I gave birth to you, I have video evidence somewhere in the attic.
Even though I fought your father on that the entire time. "
I laughed as she led me to the kitchen and began prepping salads and sides for dinner.
The kitchen was next to the patio. We left the slider open to be able to move within the two rooms easily and converse.
Time flew as we fell into our dinner routine. My mother cooked on the stove while I would chop and toss and prep the food. Not far away, Damien and my father spoke to each other over the grill. It wasn't anything new. Damien had over the years come to know my parents and have dinner with us.
Damien kept mostly quiet and I thanked the gods for it.
Despite knowing that Robyn was close to my parents, I let myself relax. He hadn't tried anything so far and he wouldn't, not if he wanted to keep me.
"Steaks are done!" My father's voice was triumphant like he had himself slain a beast and was reaping the rewards. He carried the plate over to the dining room table I was setting.
I watched Damien trail in behind him. His glass of wine was empty in his hand. "You want some more?"
He nodded. "Thank you."
I grabbed the bottle in the middle of the table and began to refill his glass as my mother began to point to our seats. "Jack, you're over here across from me. Damien and Emmy, you two will seat at each head of the table since you're the guests of honor."
I laughed. "I know, you want to sit next to me while we eat."
She smiled back. "Pour me some more!"
Damien sat at the end of the table while my parents flanked him on either side, my father on his left while my mother on his right.
"All right," my father announced. "Smells delicious. Everyone dig in."
"Wait," my mother spoke up. "First, a toast!" She held her glass high in front of her parallel to the table. She looked at Damien. "Thank you, Damien, for bringing our little girl to us despite the visit being so short -"
"Mom," I whined.
Damien only laughed.
"To you, Emmy," she said with a smile. "We are so proud of you! I hope this internship brings you everything you dreamed of and worked so hard towards."
Her words felt like a stab in the heart.
"Hear, hear," my father agreed. "Cheers."
Everyone drank from their glasses and for a moment, -just a moment- everything was perfect. It was easy to forget the events of the Underworld.
I started to eat my salad as my father served a steak on my mother's plate. He offered one to Damien but he refused.
Thinking nothing of it, he set the plate down and began to eat his own dinner.
Damien watched us from across the table, swirling the red wine in his glass absentmindedly.
Finally, he spoke. "Jack, how long have you known your daughter was a fae?"
I nearly dropped the fork in my hand.
My father frowned, looking between the three of us. "Pardon?"
"A fae," Damien repeated. "A faerie - a Light faerie, specifically. How long have you known?"
My hands began to shake. What kind of game was Robyn playing? I shook my head. "They don't know anything, Damien."
A sudden force pushed my hands down on the table with such strength it knocked the fork out of my hand and onto the floor. Something invisible held them in place despite me trying to move them.
Fear gripped the middle of my chest.
My mother looked at my hands then at me. "Emmy, what's going on?"
The same invisible power that held me in my chair took over her.
I watched helplessly as she was turned back to her plate, her back pin-straight.
The same force that was used on my hands applied to her as well.
She cried out as her wrists slammed on the table, palms down fingers splayed out in front of her.
My father began to move towards us but was stopped as well.
He was thrust into the chair and moved in the same way as my mother.
The steak knife he held was ripped from his hand.
It hurled through the air past my mother's face and landed perfectly straight on the wall behind her.
It swayed back and forth from the force used.
I stared at Damien in complete horror. "Damien, stop this. What are you doing?"
Damien lounged in the chair looking much more comfortable than he had moments prior. Like a tiger watching the mice he played with right before he ate them.
"You can stop calling me by my dead nephew's name now," I saw the look of satisfaction on his face as he took a drink from his glass. "You didn't actually think I wouldn't notice you left me this entire time, did you, dear?"