"Whatthe hell is it?" I pushed him forward, keeping my hands on him to keep themagic flowing as some sort of map finally coalesced over every visible ounce offlesh above his waist.
"Itwould appear as if you have found your map," my mother answered in a voicethat wasn't her own.
Chapter 22
"Can you keep this between you andme?"
Candacelooked up at me, almost fearfully. Her bottom lip was trembling and she lookedlike she was on the verge of hyperventilating. "They'll be there, won'tthey?"
"Thoseangel thingies?"
Shenodded.
"Probably,but you don't have to be there, just get me there. As soon as we're inTartarus, I want you and Shea to get somewhere safe."
Candaceblinked. "You would go alone?"
"Ratherthan risk either of you? Absofuckinglutely."
"Howwill you get home?" She looked like she was about to completely lose it.It had been hard enough getting her alone to have the conversation I didn'twant to have with her to begin with. Actually saying the words was ten timesharder.
"Thisis my job. He's my father. I'm not going to risklosing anybody else," I said steadfastly.
"Everyonewill be mad at you. Again."
"Everybodycan suck it. They'll be alive to be mad. That's more than enough for me."I grinned at Candace to hopefully lighten the mood.
"Youstill didn't answer my question. How will you get home?"
"I'lltry to use the shadows. If I can't, I'll call Shea and you guys can swoop inand pick me up when I'm sure there's no danger."
Itwas the first time since I'd met Candace that she doubted what I was tellingher. I could see it on her face and in the shrug she gave me.
"Isthat a yes?"
Shedidn't say a word, just gave me a single curt nod and opened the door to Charlotte'sbistro. To coax Candace into going someplace we could be alone, I'd promisedher lunch at her favorite place. Desperate times called for desperate measures.Especially when I saw Charlie smile and wave at Candace, and borderline scowlat me.
"Welcomeback," Charlie managed to get out.
"Thanks.Good to see you again."
"I'msure."
Withoutordering, she brought our teas and set them on the table we had just settledourselves at by the window. "The usual?"
Sincethere was basically nothing else on the menu I'd eat other than her attempt ata hamburger, I nodded. I really didn't want a turkey burger, Iwanted a steak, but it was definitely the time of sacrifices, and a turkeyburger wouldn't kill me. Maybe.
"Youneed to tell Josie."
"No.If I tell Josie, the whole coven will know what I'm planning and either try tostop me or go with me."
"Thatis not what I am talking about."
"Oh."I opened my mouth to protest, to tell her I would keep my promise to tell Josieat the wedding, but Candace was right. This might be a one-way trip and if Ididn't make it… "I will."
"Today."
"Fine,Mrs. Pushypants. I will. Right after lunch." Before I could say anotherword, the door behind me opened up and two hands gripped my shouldersexcitedly. I could feel Sherry's excitement. "Hey, Miss Mayor," Isaid and turned my head to smile.
"How'dyou know it was me? Oh, never mind!"
"Pullup a chair. What's got you all excitable?"
Shegrabbed a wooden chair from the table beside us and sat down. "Heproposed!"
"Huh?"My heart stopped beating.
"Derek!He asked me to marry him!"
Bestday ever. "Oh,my goddess! That is amazing! Congratulations!" If I could pretend a turkeyburger was the real thing, I could pretend I was happy for my friend. On somelevel, I was. On the other eight levels of hell, I wanted to scream in rage,claw his face off, and possibly destroy the planet. I didn't love him. I didn'twant or need him, but something primal inside me was still screaming, 'Mine!' Ishut that bitch of an inner voice up and took a sip of my iced tea. "When'sthe big day?"
"Sincethe bar is opening in two weeks, we're going to Vegas!"
"Awww,I was hoping for a small-town wedding!"
"Iknow! I was, too. But this will be better. We're going to leave Friday, spendthe weekend, and then we'll have a party when we get back to celebrate. I'llfill you in on the details when we make them!" Sherry stood, and leanedover, awkwardly hugging my hand before turning to pet Candace on her head. "I'llcall you later!" Grabbing the basket off the counter, she headed back theway she came and left me sitting there with less of an appetite than I alreadydidn't have.
"Gosh.That was exciting."
Candacejust snickered.
∞∞ ∞
Istood in the shadows of the First Moon Café. Technically I was in the shadowrealm and not the shadows, but I wasn't going to correct myself. I didn't move,I didn't step out, I just stood there staring at my sister and watched herwork. In just a few short months she had grown from a flighty best friend intoa shrewd, hard-working business savvy woman in a serious relationship and Ididn't think I could have felt any more pride in who she had become. Evenworking, you could see the love flowing between her and Candace. Nothing overt,just subtle smiles, glances, and touches. They were going to be togetherforever, you could tell just by looking.
Businesswas at the point, just after the rush of everybody leaving work and just beforethe sun setting and drawing in the nocturnal coffee drinkers looking for a fixbefore perusing the bookstore. It wasn't slow, but it wasn't slammed either.The vamps would be there soon to relieve the day shift. It was time. Candacecould handle the store with the younger humans while I kidnapped my sister.
Somehow,Candace knew I was there and nodded in my direction. "Josie? Could yougrab me a couple sleeves of twenty-ounce cups? I'm getting low."
"Surething, Sunshine." She winked at her fiancé and headed for the door intothe kitchen, right toward me hiding in the corner where the recessed lighting affordeda nice corner shadow. As she passed, I reached out, grabbing her arm, andtugging her into the shadows with me.
Shescreamed. Thankfully, sounds
