Pushing my hair back with one hand, he stares into my eyes. “No. They called for my help with something else. They want me to come and help them with a vampire.”
There is a flood of relief, but knowing that Ion is going to the place where it is still puts a knot in my gut. “Will you see the boogeyman while you’re there?” So many emotions pour through me, manifesting as tears I can’t control. My hands are wet, and I press them to his chest, not pushing him away but putting a little space between us. I stare at the wet marks my hands make on his shirt.
“Look at me, Lori,” he whispers.
Afraid I’ll find that he cares what happens to that monster, it takes me a moment to comply.
The same steady gaze that I’ve grown to love looks back at me. “I will help them with the vampire. I will look in on the other creature just to assure myself that it is secure in its prison. Nothing more. I have long thought all creatures deserve second chances; however, this particular beast is the exception.”
At least that’s something. That monster should die. It’s the only creature I’ve ever wished ill for. It’s impossible for me to think of the man I love worrying over the monster that tried to destroy my family.
“Lori, tell me what you’re feeling,” he says.
“That I wish you were not going to be in the same building as that thing.” It sounds weak, and I don’t like it. Honesty is not always easy.
“Do you want me to call them back and tell them I cannot help?” His gaze remains calm and loving.
“No. I’m sure if they called, they must need you. Just stay away from that thing. Don’t let it near you.” More tears pour out of me. I really need to get my emotions under control.
“I am not innocent. The boogeyman does not want me. However, I promise to keep my distance.” He runs his fingers along my jaw.
“Mommy, are you and Mr. Ion fighting?” Livi asks from the hallway with her sister right beside her. Both of them are staring wide-eyed.
Rushing over, I kneel beside them and pull them into a hug. “No. Of course not.”
Dotty asks, “Did you make Mommy mad?”
Ready to defend Ion, I stand.
With a soft smile, he shakes his head. “Your mother is not angry. She is concerned. No one is fighting.”
Livi cocks her head, and her strawberry blonde bed-mussed hair floats across her face. She brushes it back. “What happened?”
Looking at me for guidance, Ion waits.
I nod.
“I have to go away to help a vampire.” He leaves out all the right parts without lying to them.
Dotty’s bottom lip quivers. “Will you come back?”
He pulls her into his arms. “Of course I will. I will always come back for as long as you need me.”
Livi pats my cheek. “Don’t worry, Mommy. Mr. Ion is not like Daddy. He never lies to us. He’ll come home.”
Tears are streaming down my face. My little girls are perfection. I can learn a lot from them. I turn to Ion. “Go see what can be done. We’ll be here when you get home.”
Emotions brimming in his eyes, he kisses each child on the top of the head. “I’ll be back soon.” He kisses my cheek, then presses his lips to my ear. “I love you.”
Chapter Eleven
LORI
Ion has been away for several days. He calls twice a day. Once in the morning, before I go to work, and then again in the evening when he talks to the girls and me about our day. I don’t mention the boogeyman, and we’re all happy to hear Ion’s voice.
It’s Friday, and the girls have a piano lesson. I take the opportunity to do some shopping at the farm market. Ogram, the troll who owns the place, is quiet but nice. His mate, Hope, is human and full of energy. I’m paying for some last-of-the-year squash when Tilda walks in.
She’s dressed in an all-white jumpsuit with a hood that protects her from the sun. “Hello, Lori.” Her voice is cool.
