Page 9 of The Banshee’s Unmistakable Love

My dad isn’t done, though, of course not. There’s always more to say. Ever since that damned convention in Bresburrow.

He’s never spoken to me the same. That weekend was the last time I heard any enjoyment in his tone…at least toward me.

When I look over my shoulder, he’s actually gotten out of his chair. “Zander, you would really damage your relationship with us over a monster?”

“If you would let your son finding happiness damage your relationship with him, then yes, I guess I would. But I’m not the one doing any damage here—you are. Both of you.” My jaw feels so tight from clenching that each word hurts on a different level as they come out. “And she’s a woman, not a monster.”

He continues to spout off whatever nonsense, but not a single word registers in my brain as my feet lead me out the door. Damage has definitely been done to my relationship with them—more so my father—but it wasn’t damage at my hands.

It was his.

Damage that I doubt he’ll ever take responsibility for.

They may be stuck in the past, but I’m not. I can see my future very brightly, and her name is Briar.

I just hope that eventually, even if it’s years down the line, that they come around. It would be a real shame if we were to have kids and they let their outdated opinions keep them from seeing their grandchildren.

It’s tragic that they won’t even be meeting Briar anytime soon. Oh well, there’s no sense in worrying about something I can’t change. They have to want to.

And all I want to do is tell Briar my feelings.

Now, how will I make this the shortest game of pretend ever?

Chapter 5

BRAVING THE FALL FAIR

BRIAR

My heart races as I head to the fairgrounds. Blair texted me this morning to tell me he asked if she—but really me—wanted to spend the afternoon there. Of course, the answer was yes.

Time with him? I’ll never turn it down.

I can’t lie that my anxiety isn’t through the roof. Banshees have been able to integrate into human society pretty seamlessly, but a lot of humans are uncomfortable with our presence.

It’s not because we don’t look human enough, we do. Our ears are just pointier and longer. We’re also very pale, in inhuman icy tones of purple, pink, or blue. But those are our only nonhuman physical characteristics.

What really makes people uncomfortable about us banshees isn’t how we look, but it’s our banshee ability—one I hate having. We have essentially a sixth sense, one that comes so naturally we don’t notice it.

The ability to sense impending death.

That wouldn’t be so bad if I could keep it to myself, but that’s the problem…I can’t. When we sense death approaching nearby, we lose control and let out a wail as a warning. Our eyes focus on the person we sense it from, and it takes a lot to physically remove us.

It’s like we get locked into the moment, our bodies tightening up and minds going into shutdown mode.

Having an ability that makes so many people uncomfortable, including myself, is why I tend to stay home. The park is one of the few exceptions. It’s not usually very busy, and if I’m lost in a book, my senses seem to go dormant.

The fall fair, however, will be very busy. I won’t have a book to distract myself with. For so many reasons, I hope that no one is about to die while I’m there.

Chatter and laughter floats through the air alongside various music and bells, all competing to be the sound that grabs your attention first. There are rides all over, various food stands between them. People wander in groups. Children point and jump around.

It’s all so cheerful, and could be ruined so easily by me.

“Hey,” Zander’s familiar voice calls out to me, and I spot him standing by a cotton candy stand.

Just the sight of him soothes some of my nerves while awakening other ones, my previous sense of overwhelming dread fading. He wears a tight t-shirt that hugs every muscle of his body. A silver chain lies across his neck. In typical Zander fashion, he has cargo pants on.

We meet halfway, meeting in the middle of the bustling crowd, and all I can muster is one word. “Hi.”