Itwas quite the moment, and even though I was smiling, the tears were flowingdown my face. The wetness on the back of my shirt told me I wasn't the onlyone.
Finally,Chief lifted his head and stared at me with red-rimmed eyes and offered me anapologetic smile. I returned it, letting the back of my fingers brush thestubble on his cheek as he choked out one last sob.
"Nothinglike a bit of group therapy to get you through the shit storms. Thanks, guys."
Chapter 9
The best part about getting up earlyis going back to bed. Emotional outbreaks were draining. I felt fine untilChief let everything out, thanked everybody profusely, and used work as anexcuse to hightail it the hell out of there. I debated making him stay, but Iknow if it had happened to me, I'd want some time alone, too. So, with a smileand a kiss, I let him escape with a promise to have lunch with me at the diner.Then, I got a couple hours more sleepafter Jimmy, Dar, and Shea left.
ButI didn't sleep alone. In an unusual moment, Yuki came into my room, lifted myarm, and crawled into the bed in front of me. With a small chuckle, I wrappedmy arm around her and gave her the snuggles that I needed.
"Snugglewhore," she whispered, and I felt the life drain from her as she fellasleep, too.
Shewas better than a teddy bear but wasn't one of those long term snugglers. Shewas gone by the time I woke up again. In fact, the entire house was empty whenI went to go make another cup of coffee. Even Ellis was nowhere to be found.
"Well,okay then," I said crankily and hit the brew button.
Themachine sputtered, and I grabbed the mug to go sit at the table and check mymessages, but suddenly, there was somebody already sitting in my seat. SomebodyI didn't recognize. Somebody I'd known my entire life. He smiled as I took astep closer, my hand shaking badly enough that coffee sloshed on my hand. Itburned, but the pain wasn't any worse than the tear running the length of myheart. "Father?"
Hesmiled and faded but came back with a nod. "I can't stay long."
"Howare you here?" I dropped the mug on the floor, splashing coffee across thetile and up the cupboard.
"You'regetting stronger." He smiled as if that was the answer.
"So,what? I can just bring you back?"
Heshook his head slowly. "You are projecting me, nothing more. Much like yourlover's wife. You need to get a grip on the power flowing through you."
"Iwould if you would tell me how? I'm just fucking winging it here, Dad."
"Language,Daughter."
"Sorry."I bowed my head in shame and sat next to him, trying vainly to touch him, butmy hand passed through his leg.
"Iam nothing more than a waking dream. Here in spirit, but my body is far, sofar, away."
"Justhang in there. I'm coming to get you!"
"No.You're not."
"Bet?"
"Iwas in your grandmother's workspace. Their plan is foolish. There is more tocrossing Ethereum than just having a guide. Do you truly think Belenus willhelp you? It is because of her that I am where I am. She would just as soon as addyou to her prison than release me. Do not be foolish. You are too smart forthat."
"No.Not really. If I have to whip her ass to get her to free you, then I'm going tostart taking kung fu lessons."
"Shehas been a god since the dawn of time. While your power grows, she would…wipethe floor with your face, as they say. Do not do this, Daughter. I beg of you. Iled a full life and have no regrets."
"Butyour people need you."
"Theyhave you."
"Ineed you."
"Youhave me. I am always with you, Dorothea. Do not forget that. Time, space, andthe planes separate us, but I am always right here."
Thetears were already dripping hotly down my cheeks. When he reached out and Ifelt his fingers touch my face, the waterfalls started. "I don't want yourpower. I was happy being me. Just plain old Dot."
"Youwere never plain, and just like your mother, you will never be old. Use thepower I have given you to change the world. Too long has the mortal realm beenseparated from the fae and magic. Technology is making them cold, selfish, andignorant. Find ones you trust, share your power, and make the world as it should be."
"Magic?"
"Better."
Hefaded away and I knew I would never see him again.
∞∞ ∞
Chiefwas already sitting in my booth talking to Marge when I opened the diner doorat one minute after noon. It took one look for him to know I wasn't having thebest of mornings, either.
"Youokay, Darlin'?" Marge did that mom thing where she grabbed my head andchecked my temperature with her lips. "Not runnin' a fever at least. Can'tbe too careful with all those nasty bugs goin' around."
"Thanks,Marge. Just been a long morning." I sat and she took off running.
"You'reeither going to end up with chicken soup or a Marge Totty."
"DoI want to know?"
"Hereyou go, Darlin'." She set a coffee in front of me. I could smell thewhiskey in the vapors. The slice of lemon I could have done without.
"Thankyou." I managed a smile.
Shewas watching me, eyes flickering to the coffee cup in front of me.
Itook a sip, made some appropriate MmmmMmmm noises andset the mug back down.
"Youdrink that all up, Sweetie. I'll be back to take your order in a minute!"She wandered off to pick up an order in the window.
"Whatthe fuck did I just drink?"
"Coffee,lemon, cinnamon, turmeric, and something else that she won't divulge. However,I have never failed a drug test at the department, so I don't think it'sillegal."
"Prettysure its fucking illegal to serve tar to customers."
"Shouldhave just told her you weren't sick." He chuckled and clinked his mugagainst mine before leaning back in his seat and putting his arm up on the backof the booth.
"Youlook more relaxed."
Henodded and smiled. "I feel better, too."
