Never Again (27 page)
He stared down at Cathleen’s porcine body, and felt his gorge rise. He turned away, leaning against the stove, and sucked in a breath. It wasn’t like he hated the Calhouns. He’d grown up with Grit as the Guardian and he’d done a better job than his grandson ever could. Gray didn’t deserve his position—it wasn’t fair he had a birthright, one he could claim proudly, without fear of reprisals.
I was a secret.
Fury burned through him. It was fitting that Gray would pay the blood price so he could have his, out in the open, right and proper.
I was a secret.
Fury burned through him. It was fitting that Gray would pay the blood price so he could have his, out in the open, right and proper.
“She wanted them to suffer, the way Daddy suffered. I promised her. Right before she died, that I’d see our justice done.” She’d gotten so agitated that he’d poured her some more whiskey. She downed three shots in quick succession.
Cathleen giggled. “You think the Dark One’s satisfied with ruling over death? He’s been trying since the beginning of time to get hisself a piece of this world.”
A being as powerful as the Dark One wasn’t remotely interested in a place like Nevermore. That was when he realized Cathleen had gone all the way crazy. Her mother had spent a lifetime filling her head with lies, and she couldn’t figure out the truth from her ass. All those years of living in a place that had destroyed her family, being the kind of person no one liked, giving in to greed and desperation every single day—it had all finally unraveled her.
He wanted magic and Nevermore, but maybe his dreams were too small. Living in this place had made him feel that way his whole life. Five years ago, when he learned the truth about his heritage, he’d felt minuscule. Like nothing.
He sure as hell didn’t want to end up like Cathleen Munch.
“They ain’t getting a happy ending. No, no, no! You kill him, y’hear? We’re owed! My family is owed!” She’d thrown the whiskey bottle. It crashed against the wall and broke, the amber liquid dripping down the wall and puddling on the floor.
“It’s not time to kill Gray,” he’d said.
That was when she lost it completely, screeching while she tried to gouge out his eyes. She kicked at him and spit on him, all the while ranting incoherently. Damn it! He’d just wanted her to shut up. She’d rattled him with that nonsense about the Dark One. Everyone knew that the Creator Mother and the Destroyer Father could only influence their children. Not rule them. Basic magical law:
Every living thing is created out of the same fabric woven by dark and by light, and are one with the All in All.
The Dark One invading the mortal realm would be like a human trying to switch around his arms and legs—pointless.
Every living thing is created out of the same fabric woven by dark and by light, and are one with the All in All.
The Dark One invading the mortal realm would be like a human trying to switch around his arms and legs—pointless.
“Stupid bitch.” He returned to the body, anger coiling in his guts. Cathleen was just as ugly in death as she had been in life. Her chubby body stuffed into those pink sweats—ugh. She looked liked a badly made sausage.
Nausea rose again, and he turned, walking out of the kitchen. He leaned against the Formica counter, his head in his hands.
Eleven days until the new moon.
Gray planned to start the protections tomorrow. With the borders reinforced, it would be a lot harder, if not impossible, to open the portal for Kahl.
He just had to figure out a way to delay the Guardian.
The acrid smell of the whiskey made his barely contained nausea swish around his stomach. Then an idea began to form. He straightened and turned toward the mess of glass and liquid.
Perfect.
Chapter 11
It was just past midnight when the ladies gathered their supplies and readied to leave.
Lucy stood next to Gray in the foyer wishing everyone farewell. She was exhausted and happy, and so grateful to all the kindhearted women who’d come to help her.
Maureen explained that it was the way of Nevermore to reach out to someone in need—didn’t matter how small or large the cause. Lucy was humbled by their willingness to offer assistance, especially when they received nothing in return. Her name had been added to the calling tree. The next time the women of Nevermore needed one another, she would be there, too, giving what she could.
She hugged Maureen, and doing so started a whole hugging fest. Ember was next, then Josie Gomez, Arlene, and Ronna Thomson, who was the wife of the town mechanic, Joseph Thomson, and her daughter, Alice, and then there the Wilson twins, whose organizational skills were almost supernatural. They’d berated Gray about the state of his books, especially those in the library, and he’d taken the scolding good-naturedly.
She hoped Gray, who seemed so apart from the rest of the town, didn’t resent the intrusion into his home.
After the last person said good-bye, Gray shut the door. Lucy slid into his arms and rested her head against his chest. “They are so nice. I wish—”
Gray’s hands stroked her back. She wondered if he was aware of how often he did those kinds of comforting gestures. She bet it was an automatic response—trying to soothe perceived distress. Or maybe he liked affection as much as she did.
“What do you wish, baby?”
She very much wanted to host a party—like the ones Dove and Grit used to have. It would be a thank-you to the women and to the community—maybe it would repair relations between the Guardian and the townspeople. Gray had been alone, his choice, yes, but there seemed to be so many who wanted to reach out to him. They could be a genuine part of the town, and not just the wizard and witch who lived above it.
“Lucy?”
“A party,” she blurted. She pulled back a little so she could look into his eyes. “We could have food—and maybe some dancing. Oh, and the kids could come. And we could do games! Maybe give out silly prizes, or . . . ” She licked her lips. “It’s too much, isn’t it? I should’ve called and asked if they could come over. Are you upset?”
He frowned, and her heart skipped a beat. He
was
angry. “Why would I be upset? You don’t have to second-guess yourself, Lucy.”
was
angry. “Why would I be upset? You don’t have to second-guess yourself, Lucy.”
Guilt wiggled through her.
He’s not Bernard,
she scolded herself,
so quit acting as if he is.
He’s not Bernard,
she scolded herself,
so quit acting as if he is.
“I’m sorry.” She sighed. “I still feel like I’m walking on shaky ground.”
“Is that how he made you feel? Like the earth might give way any second?”
“Yes. That’s exactly it.”
“You’re safe,” said Gray, hugging her tightly. “I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Lucinda wasn’t sure he could keep that promise, but she knew he would try, and for now, that was enough. “And the party?”
“It’s a great idea.”
She looked up at him and grinned; he swooped down for another kiss. Instantly tenderness turned into seduction. She melted against him, her body electric with anticipation.
Someone pounded on the door.
They broke apart. Gray grimaced. “Damn it.” Then he turned and opened the door.
Maureen stood on the other side, her face pale, her eyes wide. “There’s a fire in town!”
The blaze was easily seen from their vantage point. And so were the people scrambling toward the burning building.
“It’s the café,” said Lucinda, horrified. “The gremlins?”
“We got them all, but fire isn’t their style. They like picking things apart piece by piece.” Gray turned to her and in his eyes she saw both guilt and determination. How could he blame himself for the blaze?
“Arlene already called Taylor,” said Maureen, her voice shaking.
“Good,” said Gray. He turned to Lucy. “Stay here, baby. I’ll—”
“You’ll what? Find someone else with aquamancy?”
He blinked down at her, as if he’d forgotten she could magic water. “We have Bran.”
“Except he’s not answering his phone,” said Maureen. “Arlene’s already on her way to Dragon’s Keep to track him down.”
“All right. Get your shoes,” said Gray.
Lucinda took precious seconds to pull on her worn sneakers; then they bolted out the door and followed Maureen to her still-running car. Gray and Lucinda slid in the backseat, and Maureen threw the car into drive and slammed on the gas. She made downtown in two minutes flat, and parked by Ember’s. They piled out, racing across the street.
The intense heat rolled over them. Smoke clogged Lucinda’s lungs, and she coughed, backing away.
“Can’t get the water main open,” huffed Ren. He held a huge pipe wrench. His face and clothes were stained with soot. He’d obviously been roused from bed, given the state of his hair and the fact he was in a white T-shirt, pajama bottoms, and no shoes. He noticed her perusal of his clothing. “I was crashing at Trent’s. He’s the one who noticed the fire first.”
“You get hold of Taylor?” asked Gray.
“He’s on the way.”
“I can open it,” said Lucinda.
Ren’s eyebrows winged upward. “No offense, Lucinda, but . . . you’re a girl.”
“I don’t need muscles.” She hurried to the plug. Fire hoses lay like dead snakes around it. The bolts were rusted shut, but the deep scratches on the faded paint showed Ren’s valiant effort.
Lucinda touched the plug and opened herself to the magic that pulsed all around. She used it to reach for the water . . . through the pipes . . . into the ground . . .
there
! She grabbed the water and pulled it up with a quick, hard jerk.
there
! She grabbed the water and pulled it up with a quick, hard jerk.
The top exploded upward, spinning into the air before slamming into the sidewalk. Water blasted—a fierce, huge geyser. Lucinda aimed her hands at it, called upon the sacred energies, and commanded, “Douse.”
The water rose up, higher and higher. It fanned out, so powerful, so majestic, the blood of the earth, and then
boom
! It slammed down onto the café like an angry god’s fist.
boom
! It slammed down onto the café like an angry god’s fist.
The fire vanished.
The spray got everyone, and the street flooded, but folks didn’t care. Cheers went up, and Lucinda found herself surrounded—and nearly hugged to death.
It was wonderful.
Just past midnight, Happy trudged down the muddied shoulder of Cedar Road. Lucy wasn’t gonna be . . . well, happy to see her. She was breaking her promise, but it soooo wasn’t her fault. Okay, running away from the nuns was her fault, but not the reason.
The vision had compelled her to leave safety and seek out Lucy. If she didn’t reach her friend in time, both she and that hot guy with the scar would die. The weird thing? Happy wasn’t a magical. But she knew the vision was real ’cause the Goddess told her so. She hadn’t been much of a believer before. Still. When the Goddess appeared with a vision of the future and asked for a message to be delivered, you did it.
Happy felt guilty about ditching Sister Mary Frances. She was sure they were all frantic, but since they didn’t know where Lucy was, something she’d insisted on so Bernard couldn’t torture them into giving information, they wouldn’t be able to get a message to Lucy.
Happy wanted so much to be with Lucy. She was the only person Happy trusted. The nuns were all right, even if they were weird, and wow, did they like rules. If Lucy wanted to send her back, she’d go, but not until she was sure Lucy was a hundred percent safe. She was on a mission sanctioned by the Goddess. Surely Lucy wouldn’t be too mad about her showing up.
But then . . . she might.
She gnawed on her lower lip and thought about how Lucy might react. She hoped hugs were involved—at least before the shouting. She knew sometimes people who were afraid acted angry. Her mother had told her that, and so she’d said that Bernard must’ve been scared all the time.
Mama had laughed, and told her she was smart.
Happy passed a sign that said, NEVERMORE, 10 MILES, and sighed. Lucy was gonna kill her for hitching, and she’d done okay until that last trucker.
Nobody rides for free,
he’d said, grinning at her. He was fat and smelly and had hairy hands. Plus, hel-
lo
, his teeth needed an introduction to a toothbrush. Ew.
Nobody rides for free,
he’d said, grinning at her. He was fat and smelly and had hairy hands. Plus, hel-
lo
, his teeth needed an introduction to a toothbrush. Ew.
He didn’t figure he’d find a switchblade against his nuts, though. Yeah, that surprised him all right. Luckily, he’d parked the eighteen-wheeler right near the Cedar Road exit when he’d decided to ask for his “payment.” Jerk.
Ten miles wasn’t so bad. She could make it.
She wasn’t scared of the dark, but she would’ve welcomed the occasional streetlight. Her vision had adjusted, and she was sorta getting used to all the sounds of wind-rustled grass, cricket songs, and the occasional mooing.
She’d never seen a real cow before.
Her backpack felt heavier and heavier with every step. Finally, she decided to take a break. She plunked down on the side of the road and opened the side pocket. She pulled out the crystal. It pulsed with magic, which was activated only by Happy’s touch. Anyone else who picked up the gem would have only something to pretty to look at, not a homing beacon. A green arrow pointed in the direction of Nevermore. Lucy had given her the gem so that Happy would know where she was. She’d promised that one day they could be together. Yeah. As soon as it was safe, which Happy figured would be about the same time Bernard died.
She returned the gem to its pocket and then she dug through her pack for a bottle of water and the last box of raisins.
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