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“They can’t stay here,” he whispers harshly to me. “I’m sorry, Graveyard, but I’ve got a plainclothes officer sniffing around. You’ll get us both arrested.”
This news takes me by surprise. When have we allowed an undercover cop anywhere near the clubhouse? Seer has clearly lost his mind. Then again, I have a ten-year-old fugitive who can sense death in the back of a van. We don’t have room to claim sanity, I suppose.
“What am I supposed to do?” I ask him warily. “They’re going to drag this girl to a psych ward and fry her brain until she’s a vegetable just because he has gifts. I can’t leave her there.”
“I respect that,” he says with a reluctant sigh. “But we can’t hide her here. Listen, I called Pocus, and he said you can keep them there for a while.”
As tense as I feel, I realize this may be to everyone’s advantage. Pocus and Abigail know how to care for children. Daisy will be good company for Charlie. I thank Seer for his thoughtfulness, even though I’m pissed about it. The club has taken in many a fugitive over the years.
When I get back into the van, Meredith shakes like a leaf.
“We can’t stay, right?” she asks, her voice heavy with grief.
“Slight change of plans,” I assure her with a smile and grab her hand to calm her. She immediately pulls away out of instinct, as if she’s been burned. “We’re going across the street.”
She grumbles as she pulls out of the driveway and drives to the other side of the wide road, then turns into Pocus’s driveway. All in all, it takes three minutes to make the drive, but she doesn’t look happy. I’m not sure if her change in demeanor is because of the altered plans or because I tried to hold her hand.
Abigail and Daisy stand on the porch when we arrive. Daisy jumps up and down in anticipation. I don’t know how much Seer told them, but they look happy to have us. Meredith seems to ease as she takes in the pair.
When we get Charlie out of the van and walk her up to the house, she seems more at ease than I’ve seen her so far. When she sees Daisy, she smiles. Daisy takes her hand and the two of them disappear into the house. Maybe this will work after all.
No wonder Graveyard didn’t think I was crazy when I told him about Charlie. He’s surrounded by gifted people. It was unnerving when we pulled up to the big house and the tall, dark haired man came out. His gift seemed to be weakened, but it ran deep inside of him. I felt the burden of it and his frustration that it wasn’t functioning the way he needed it to.
When we pull up to the second house, I feel nothing but rage. It isn’t my rage, but it belongs to someone inside of the house. I hope it isn’t our host, because I can’t put Charlie at risk. The person with this gift could explode at any time. I sense the anger buried deep inside but ready to burst out at the slightest provocation.
Then there’s the little girl. She has a kind face like her mother’s, but her gift is all over the place, like Charlie’s. It’s strong and powerful, but undefined. At this age, she’s nothing but potential. I can tell that once she fully comes into her gift, she’ll be strong. I already see the quiet strength she possesses and the joy she emanates. It’s the complete opposite of the rage I sense.
The woman comes over to me and pulls me into a strong embrace. I’m so taken aback, I barely move. I’m not used to such kindness from strangers. She has no gift, but she radiates kindness and warmth. That must be where the daughter gets it from.
“I’m Abigail,” she tells me. “And the little one that disappeared with your girl is Daisy. Welcome to our home.”
“Thank you,” I say shyly, surprised at how well Charlie has already adapted. She ran into the house before I’d cleared the porch. She likes it here.
Abigail leads me inside. I take in the immaculate decoration and the homey feel. Compared to the other house that seemed foreboding and spooky, this house is welcoming and bright. I Imagine Abigail has a lot to do with that.
She gives me a quick tour of the place, including where Charlie and I will stay. Given the quick change of plans, she has a lovely room set up for us, with towels on the bed and everything. I haven’t known this kind of luxury in ages. For the last several years, I’ve kept a low profile, not staying anywhere too long. I’ve become well-acquainted with seedy motels and lumpy couches.
I turn to her with tears brimming in my eyes and thank her profusely for everything. She tells me she’s making dinner. It will be ready in an hour. I collapse on the bed, overwhelmed by the day. I can’t guarantee this change will be the best place for Charlie, but she’ll have a comfortable bed and no one threatening to take her away. That’s the best I can manage for now.
When I come down for dinner a while later, I see that Charlie is wearing new clothes—no doubt picked out by Abigail. The speed at which this woman moves astounds me. Additionally, she’s set a lovely table for us. Charlie and Daisy are already sitting down, chatting excitedly with each other. I have no idea what Charlie could be saying to a five-year-old and I only hope she’s not corrupting the little girl.
I go to wash my hands in the small bathroom near the kitchen. When I look outside, I see that the van I drove here is gone. In its place is my car. Graveyard must have done that while I was upstairs collecting myself. For the first time in a long time, I wonder if things might be turning around. If I can find a permanent home for Charlie that will keep her safe, I might be able to breathe a little.
CHAPTERNINE
I’m stressed out. I can feel it in my chest as I shift my weight from one foot to the other. Nicholas and Pocus had a fight this afternoon. I see how heavily it weighs on my husband’s shoulders. He takes his duties as Prez so seriously. He didn’t make this decision lightly. We talked about it at length after it happened. He’s just trying to protect the community.
Pocus doesn’t see it that way, though, and it’s difficult for Nicholas. The two have been close for years. This one issue can’t ruin their friendship. It isn’t my place to get in the way of their feud. All I can do is provide my husband support and take care of our son.
Speaking of the devil, he excitedly runs into my room. His long legs carry him quickly. He’s going to be tall like his dad.
“Daisy, Daisy, Daisy!” he screams excitedly, clearly wanting to see his partner in crime.
Since Pocus and Abigail moved out, we make it a point to get the kids together as often as possible. They were going to the same daycare before Daisy moved up to kindergarten. Daisy is Nicky’s favorite person in the entire world, myself included.
I sigh heavily and pick up my son, covering his little face in kisses. He screams in delight and wriggles away, laughing his beautiful, bright laugh that could bring sunshine into the darkest room. I won’t allow this argument between Pocus and Seer to ruin our kids happiness. They won’t suffer because their fathers don’t know how to communicate.
I help Nicky get his shoes on and grab his hand as we walk over to Pocus’s house. It’s not a long way, but Nicky complains the moment we leave the driveway and reach the road. He begs me to carry him, but it’s far too hot and humid for me to give in to his request.
