Page 76 of Strange Lights

I peer cautiously through the Winnebago window shades, determined to remain hidden but desperate to catch a glimpse. Luca. His hair is shorter, his skin tanner, but those amber eyes are the same. Luca looks around, eyes sliding right over the Winnebago as if he doesn’t even see it, to squint suspiciously at the repair van parked a few houses down. He frowns but turns his attention to the playground, scans the crowds of children, and his eyes land on the boy.

Luca walks forward a few steps, crouches down to toddler level, and holds out a hand to the boy. The boy carefully approaches Luca. They talk quietly for a few minutes before they walk back to Luca’s car, hand in hand. Luca opens the door for the boy, who climbs right in, before surreptitiously looking around one last time. His eyes pass right over mine with no indication he sees me. Then he gets into the car and drives off. I am alone.

32

Family Secrets

Present Day

“You’re one of the Kingsley sisters.” Calvin sounds stunned.

I can’t open my throat to answer.

“Yes, she is,” Adele confirms as she glances at Calvin dismissively. She prowls forward, stops at the little table. It’s set up to be deliberately on display. I realize this was her plan all along. She runs her hand delicately over the collar resting on a velvet pillow. She created her own weapon. Her hand is still covered in that silver-and-black abomination. My worst mistake.

“You thought you fooled the guards? They sent you this way, told me the moment you arrived. I’ve told you, we’re the same, you and I. I knew you’d come home to me. It will be like you never even left.”

Same, same. Self-loathing drowns out everything else.

“I believe you’re quite well acquainted with my eldest. Regina Kingsley. She has always had an unfortunate habit of running with strays.” Her lip curls in disgust as she regards Calvin.

“What have you done with Eldi?” I say, rising to her bait.

Zara snorts, and I whirl on her. “Don’t you dare laugh! You were the one who tipped her off. I thought you were better than that, but you betrayed me. She’s a child!”

Zara doesn’t even flinch, doesn’t move from her spot on the floor as she says, “You’d know all about betrayal, wouldn’t you?”

I scream in frustration.

“It wasn’t me, Reggie,” Zara says, as if it should be obvious.

“Who else would it have been?”

“Stop this childish fighting in front of our guest. This time, Zara’s telling the truth, Regina,” Adele says. She paces closer to Calvin’s cage. “Isn’t she? Do you want to tell Regina who tipped me off about that creature, or shall I?”

Calvin looks every inch the trapped animal as he looks up at her, wide eyes, rapid breath.

“What is she talking about, Calvin?” I say. The bottom has dropped out of my world. My voice is that horrible, emotionless monotone. I can’t even blame it all on the mask this time. A numb cold is creeping over me as I stare at Calvin, who is looking at Adele with more guilt than anger now.

“Yes, Calvin St. James, what is she talking about?” Adele says, in a mocking tone.

“Reggie, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know. When she contacted me, she said she was your mother. I thought⁠—” Calvin’s stuttering excuses.

“Keep it together.” I hear Zara’s cool voice close to my ear again. I try to focus, try to breathe. Try to understand. Zara is helping me. Calvin has betrayed me.

“You told her about Eldi?”

“I didn’t know she was Adele Kingsley, and I didn’t know you were Regina Kingsley.” Calvin is still talking. “I thought you were on the run from an abusive boyfriend and your mom was just worried about you.”

“And you just believed her?”

“No, of course I didn’t just take her word for it, but she knew so much about you that I was convinced she was your mother. And it was a while ago, before I knew Eldi was anything but an ordinary toddler. She said she wanted to know you were safe, that’s all.”

“As if that makes it okay! Even if her story was true, you never should have told her anything.”

“Reggie, I’m sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing. She seemed so worried.”

“She lied. She always lies, convincingly, and you would have known that if you’d checked with me first!”