The Returned (29 page)

“Hey, ya,” Con said from the doorway, Geek standing behind him. “You all right?”

“I told you,” Sprout said, “you can't play with these anymore until you promise to stop trying to hide Lego Jar-Jar.”

“For the sake of humanity,” Geek said, “I can't make that promise.”

“You start without me,” Wraith said. “I'm going to get rid of the boys.”

Sprout smiled at Wraith, then scowled at Geek and Con. “That's right, no boys allowed!”

Wraith stepped around the corner, and Geek and Con followed her.

“I know that look,” Geek said.

“And it's usually followed by you knocking down a bloody building,” Con said.

“
One
time,” Wraith said.

“Three,” Con and Geek said together.

Wraith blinked. “Really?”

Con held up three fingers and opened his mouth.

“Okay, fine,” she said. “But no buildings are coming down this time.” She considered for a moment. “Not yet, anyway.”

“Ah, that's a relief,” Con said. “I was beginning to worry.”

Wraith ignored him and filled them both in on everything, including Four and the Legion. Neither of them could remember him as Ovation—he'd left some kind of mental time bomb in Geek, Con, and even Sprout so they'd forget him—but they did all know there was a huge gap in their memories, which Wraith had filled in as best she could. She didn't enjoy it this time either, but she knew in their position, she'd want to know.

“Wish I could remember what the bastard looked like,” Con said. “Then I'd know to set his arse on fire next time I see him.”

“I'll point him out to you,” Wraith said.

“Ta,” Con said and nodded. “I hope you busted his bollocks with that kick.”

“You can't tell Sprout about this,” Wraith said. “I don't like keeping things from her, but she was really fond of him when he was messing with your heads. I don't want to confuse her.”

The boys nodded.

“We're pretty well buggered,” Con said. “But she might have a shot at growing up to be normal.”

“More normal anyway,” Geek agreed.

“We also need to be careful,” Wraith said. “They're out there, watching. Spread the word and get it out on the street. Maybe we can turn the tables and start tracking them.”

“You should've tagged them,” Geek said.

“I did,” Wraith said. “But they found it and killed it.”

“Figures,” Con said.

“It's time we got serious about training too,” Wraith said. “Dante said once we get the Forgotten Circle into something serious, he and the First House are willing to petition for our joining the Cruinnigh.”

“Brilliant!” Con said.

“Cool!” Geek said.

“The good pieces are going fast,” Sprout shouted from her room.

“I'm coming,” Wraith said back, then lowered her voice again. “I've got some ideas I want to bounce off you later.”

“To be continued, then,” Con said.

The boys turned and left as Wraith went to play with some Legos.

“S
o there you have it,” Edward said at the end of his story. He glanced around the corner to the table where Caitlin and Hannah were waiting for them.

“Is the girl going to be okay?” Henry asked.

Edward nodded. “I reached out to Joe through Wraith,” he said. “He said the burn was just superficial. Even the scar should fade in time.”

“That's a blessing at least.”

Edward nodded. “I think the emotional scars will last a lot longer though.”

“Does she remember anything?” Henry asked.

“Just pieces for now,” Edward said. “But it's only been three days. It might come back later. She seems to be in good hands. I hope so. Wraith has promised to check in on her and help if she can.”

Henry looked at him curiously.

“She went through some pretty dark and terrible stuff too,” Edward said. “I hope she follows through. I think it would be good for both of them.”

“How's Caitlin doing?” Henry asked.

Edward shrugged. “Anxious to get home. She's not thrilled that she hurt a kid, but she knows what the alternative was. For my part, I've just been trying to give her the honeymoon I promised.”

Henry shook his head. “Damn, I'm sorry I pulled you into this mess.”

Edward opened his mouth to protest.

“But I'm glad you were here,” Henry added. “I don't want to think about what would've come of that girl if you and Caitlin hadn't been here.”

“Let's not waste any time thinking about that,” Edward said. “When are you going to tell Hannah everything?”

“After you're home,” Henry said. “I'm still coming to terms with it all.”

Edward glanced over and saw Caitlin eyeing him rather impatiently. “I think it's time we headed back.”

The two returned to their table and took their seats.

“And here I thought it was just women who went to the bathroom in pairs,” Hannah said.

“I waited outside and went in when he was done,” Edward said. “So we didn't violate any man-codes.”

Hannah furrowed her brow.

“He's joking, dear,” Henry said.

“I'm getting him a better sense of humor for Christmas,” Caitlin said.

“There's nothing wrong with my sense of humor!”

“All evidence to the contrary,” Henry said.

The waiter came over with the bottle of wine they'd ordered and filled their glasses.

Henry lifted his glass. “A toast, to life and love,” he said.

“And to good friends,” Caitlin added.

“Here, here,” Hannah said.

They clinked glasses and drank, then Edward picked up the menu. He noticed no one else had. “You already know what you're getting?”

“You were gone a long time,” Caitlin said and bumped his arm with hers. “I ordered a salad for you.”

“And we've got the menu memorized,” Hannah said, then turned to Henry. “I ordered you your favorite and some grilled oysters to start.”

The waiter returned with the oysters, took their orders, then vanished. They all sank into easy conversation and finished the first bottle of wine rather quickly. The second was even better.

“So,” Hannah said through a wicked smile. “Have you two had a chance to see any of the city yet? Or have you just been enjoying your hotel room?”

Henry nearly did a spit take.

Edward and Caitlin turned a matching shade of pink.

“Hannah!” Henry said.

Hannah just laughed and winked. “Well, you really need to get out and see the city before you leave. It's a magical place.”

“We've heard that,” Edward said as Caitlin slipped her hand into his under the table.

“W
elcome back,” Mallory said and stepped back so Caitlin and Edward could come in. “Did you have a good trip?”

“It was a nice little getaway,” Caitlin said, smiling inwardly when Edward squeezed her hand.

“Why'd you come back two days early, then?” Mallory asked.

“Mother,” Edward said.

“We just missed Fiona,” Caitlin said. “I had a harder time being away from her than I thought. Thank you again for watching her.”

“It was our pleasure,” Mallory said. “She's upstairs with Daniel getting her things together.” She stepped closer and paused as if considering her words. “Thank you. She's a delightful child and brought a new life into this old house.”

Caitlin fought back a huge smile when she glanced at Edward, keeping it at just a slight grin.

“Thank you, Mother,” Edward said.

Mallory rolled her eyes. “Darling, it's different when it's a grandchild. And a girl.” She winked at Caitlin. “I always wanted a daughter.”

“I'm standing right here,” Edward said.

“Of course you are, dear,” Mallory said.

“Mommy! Daddy!” Fiona yelled as she barreled down the stairs.

Daniel came more slowly behind, carrying her suitcase.

Caitlin was going to tell her not to run, but before she could, she'd knelt down and wrapped her little girl in her arms. Fiona hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.

“I missed you,” Fiona said.

“Oh, we missed you too,” Caitlin said.

Edward hugged them both.

“What did you bring me?” Fiona asked.

Everyone laughed.

“I see where we stand in the grand scheme of things,” Caitlin said.

“Well, you did promise,” Fiona said.

“Yes, we did,” Caitlin agreed.

“It's waiting in the car, honey. Come on,” Edward said and led Fiona by the hand toward the door.

“Thank you, Nana and Taid,” Fiona said. “It was really fun!”

“You're welcome back anytime, dear,” Mallory said. When Fiona and Edward were gone, she stepped closer to Caitlin. “I'm sorry for judging you so unfairly.”

Caitlin opened her mouth but couldn't find the words.

“You proved yourself the better person,” Mallory continued. “I'm proud to call you my daughter and Fiona my granddaughter. Thank you for bringing her into our lives.”

“Yes, thank you,” Daniel said and put his arm around Mallory.

“Of course,” Caitlin said and hugged Mallory.

The small woman hugged back and even kissed Caitlin's cheek. Then Caitlin turned and headed for the door.

“You okay?” Edward asked when Caitlin reached the car.

“Your mother hugged me and apologized for judging me harshly,” Caitlin said and walked around the car.

Edward shook his head. “That wasn't my mother. Clearly she's been killed and a bad imposter put in her place.”

“You're just jealous,” Caitlin said as she got in.

“That's true,” Edward said and got behind the wheel. “But also irrelevant.”

“Can I open it now?” Fiona said from the backseat. “You said I could open it when Mommy came out.”

“Go ahead, honey,” Caitlin said and turned to watch.

Fiona tore the wrapping paper off faster than Caitlin could see and pulled out a large bag of multicolored beads.

“These are pretty!” Fiona said.

“There's more,” Caitlin said.

Fiona pulled out some shirts, one of pirates, the other with a fleur-de-lis, and lastly a plush alligator. She dropped the shirts and hugged the alligator tight.

“What's his name?” Fiona asked.

“I don't know,” Caitlin said. “Why don't you ask him?”

Fiona did, then put the gator's jaws to her ear and listened intently before nodding and looking up. “He says it's Otto.”

“Otto the alligator?” Caitlin asked. “Not Al?”

Fiona rolled her eyes. “No, it's Otto. He knows his own name.”

“Of course. I'm sorry, Otto,” she said, then turned back around. She took Edward's hand and squeezed it tight, then closed her eyes and smiled. “It's so good to be home.”

“H
ey there, darling!” Joker said and almost tackled Wraith in a hug. “Here I thought maybe you done forgot about us!”

“Not a chance,” Wraith said and hugged back. “Just had some things to settle.”

Joker looked at the pack on Wraith's back. “You heading in or out?”

“Out,” Wraith said. “I have a friend I need to see, but I'll be back.”

“You better be,” Benji said and smiled as he stepped up.

“I didn't want to leave without saying good-bye,” Wraith said. “And thanks, for everything.”

“Weren't no thing, chere,” Benji said.

Wraith gave Benji a tight hug and kissed his cheek. “Thanks anyway.”

“And here all I got was a hug,” Joker said through a faux pout.

“Only because if I did more I wouldn't be able to stop myself,” Wraith said and winked.

“Oh, that's smooth right there,” Joker said and smiled. “By the way, darling, I heard tell that a whole mess of licorice appeared in Ellie's room out of nowhere. Like, forty pounds of it. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?”

Wraith shook her head, trying to look innocent. “No idea. Must've been someone amazing though to get it in there without being seen.”

Joker hugged her and kissed her cheek. “No doubt there. Thank you. You can't imagine how happy you made her.”

“Least I could do,” Wraith said and hugged back.

“You got time or you leaving straight out?” Benji asked.

Wraith dropped her pack. “I got some time.”

She had one Southern Storm, then switched to water and enjoyed a couple of hours with her new friends, listening to music and even singing along when they got to a song she knew. After that, it was agreed after that she should never be allowed to sing again. Ever. Anywhere. She didn't think it was quite that bad. They were probably just jealous. When it was time, she picked up her bag, dropped some twenties into the case when no one was looking, and went to find a quiet spot away from the prying eyes.

In a small alcove near the river, she drew up the entropic equation and stepped through the universal junction point. When she stepped out, it was into a forest, dark and twisted, like something out of a nightmare. At least it had felt that way before. Now she actually looked forward to visiting this place, though it had nothing to do with the trees or the moon that was forever full and hanging unmoving in the sky. Nor was it the constant dim twilight. No, there was another reason entirely she enjoyed visiting this nightmarish place. Normally anyway. This time something hung like a weight in her chest.

Brendan was waiting for her this time, and that made her smile. She smiled more to see him in the black Guinness shirt she'd “acquired” for him. Not that there wasn't something to be said for him being shirtless, but it really just made things uncomfortable all the way around.

“Nice shirt,” she said.

He nodded. “Aye, it was a gift from—Jesus, love, what happened to you?” he asked when she got closer.

“Huh?”

“You look like you were in a hell of a brawl,” Brendan said.

She'd forgotten about the bruises on her face. Part of the deal when you rarely look in a mirror. Surely it was an ugly yellow now.

“It's fine,” she said. “Couple of guys didn't like me showing up when they were divvying up their stolen goods.” She smiled. “You should see them.”

Brendan smiled and nodded. “Aye, I bet you kicked their arses right proper, then.”

Wraith nodded and set her pack down. “Then I dropped them on an island in the middle of a swamp.”

“That's well done, then,” Brendan said.

“I got this for you,” Wraith said and pulled out the postcard from her bag. It had become a tradition over the last few months. She didn't know why he chose to stay here, but she could still bring little pieces of the world back to him.

“Thanks,” Brendan said, smiling as he read the card. When he was done, he looked away and almost looked like he was trying to keep from crying. “New Orleans this time, then, yeah?”

Wraith nodded, touched by the impact such small gestures had on him, but she'd never comment on it. “I got you this too,” she said and handed him a folded black shirt. “I figured you might need more than the one.”

Brendan opened it to reveal the words Big Easy on the front. He looked at it then at Wraith with narrowed eyes. “What're you saying, then?”

Wraith laughed and rolled her eyes. “You don't get out much, do you? That's what they call New Orleans. You know, like New York is the Big Apple, and Chicago is the Windy City.”

“Do they, now?”

Wraith shook her head as she reached back into the bag and pulled out a couple of po-boys and handed one to Brendan.

He looked at it then at her.

“You need to broaden your horizons,” she said and sat down.

He joined her, and they ate their sandwiches.

“That's not bad there,” he said and accepted the bottle of water Wraith offered. He took a couple of more bites and eyed Wraith. “There's more to your tale than you said, isn't there?”

She blinked. “What?”

“You don't have to be telling,” he said. “But I can see in your eyes that something happened.”

Wraith nodded. She wondered how much to tell him. She didn't know anything beyond the small pieces he'd shared, the tidbits she'd pieced together, and now what Caitlin had told her. But for whatever reason, he clearly didn't want anyone to know he was here or even alive. Perhaps he was trapped here, which she didn't think likely. She came and went easily enough, so it seemed safe to assume she could take him with her. That meant he was hiding, which she could respect. Sometimes you needed time to figure things out. She could give him that.

When she finished her sandwich, she looked up to find Brendan eyeing her.

“What?” she asked.

He stood and motioned with his head for her to follow before walking a dozen feet away. Wraith got to her feet and followed.

“How much do you know about fighting?” Brendan asked. “Without magic, I mean.”

“Uh,” Wraith said, “why does it matter? I do have magic.”

“Aye.” Brendan nodded at her. “But them bruises on your face should prove to you that you can't always rely on it.”

“You're going to teach me to fight?” Wraith asked.

“Aye,” he said. “We'll start with fists and, when you're ready, move to blades. Now take a shot at me. Use your magic if you like.”

Wraith shuffled from one foot to the other. “I don't know. It doesn't seem fair to—Bang!”

Before she'd even raised her hand to point her finger at him, he'd moved to the side and closed the distance between them. In less time than it took her to blink, he'd grabbed her wrist and twisted it around behind her back. It hurt just enough to demonstrate to her how easy it would be for him to make it hurt really bad.

“Okay,” Wraith said. “Maybe I could use a few lessons.”