“Hindsight wreaks havoc on us all,” Zoe agreed. “He’ll be okay once things settle again. If you need help keeping Aisling out of things, I can give you that. I’ll find a reason for her to stay behind. You need to be strong when Sami starts whining, though.”
“I’ll be strong,” he promised.
I could hear footsteps on the marble floor and knew they were separating. Then Zoe spoke again. “What about Izzy?”
“She’s not my child but I couldn’t love her more,” Cormack replied. “I don’t want her in danger either. Unfortunately, we’re going to need her. She’s our most powerful fighter and I’m terrified for her, but I don’t know what else to do.”
“She’ll be fine,” Zoe reassured him. “She’s just as strong as the children you raised. However, you can’t keep her out of this. I’ll be with her. We’ll figure out a way to end this.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I’m always right.”
Cormack snickered. “I’m willing to bet Sami doesn’t agree with that sentiment.”
“Sami likes to be contrary just to irritate me.”
“That’s what daughters are for.”
“She’s good at it.”
“They all are.”
I SLEPT HARD BUT WELL AND I felt rejuvenated and rested when I woke the next morning. Cernunnos had left shortly after dinner the previous day, explaining he had contacts to talk with, and to my knowledge he hadn’t returned. That allowed Braden and me to have a lazy morning and we were both in good spirits when we landed at the breakfast table.
“Do you guys eat like this all the time?” Sami asked, eyeing the waffle bar with the sort of enthusiasm only youth can allow. “Because, if so, I’m totally moving in with you. I know you were joking before, but this is awesome.”
Cormack chuckled as he patted her shoulder. “I think your parents would miss you.”
“No, they wouldn’t. They like Lily better. They want to trade me.”
Cormack cocked his head and I could read the indecision in his expression. “You know they’re just joking, right? They wouldn’t trade you for anything.”
“I know they’re joking.” Sami paused with her hand halfway to the gummy bear ladle. “Wait ... do you think I could make them feel guilty about that baby and get them to drop my grounding early?”
Cormack sighed. “Ah, yes, now I remember one of the drawbacks to this age.” He ruffled Sami’s hair, earning a glare. “Give your parents a break. It’s hard for them. You’re no longer a baby and yet they feel the need to protect you. They’re adjusting to something new, just like you.”
“I’m an adult, though,” Sami argued. “I fight monsters. I heal people. Heck, I brought my mom back from the dead.”
Braden and I pulled up short at the statement and Sami’s face went red when she realized what she’d said.
“I mean ... .” She trailed off and I saw the worry there.
“What’s going on?” Zoe asked as she and Aric wandered into the room. They looked happy and content, although the expression instantly dissipated when they gauged the shocked faces surrounding them.
“Oh, what did you do?” Aric asked, making a face as he pinned his daughter with a dark look.
“I didn’t mean to.” Sami’s voice was small.
“What didn’t you mean to do?” Zoe asked calmly.
“Nothing,” Cormack replied quickly. “She didn’t say anything. We were just screwing around.”
My heart rolled at his pained expression, and while I understood his desire to protect Sami, I didn’t think it was a good idea given the circumstances.
“Oh, you’re a horrible liar,” Zoe countered, fixing her eyes on Sami. “What did you do?”
“I told them what I did,” Sami admitted. “It just slipped out.”
“We’re still confused as to what story you let slip,” Aric prodded in a reasonable tone. “We can’t decide how angry we are until we know.”
“I told them about bringing Mom back.” Sami lowered her eyes.
“Oh.” Aric wrinkled his nose and glanced at Zoe, something unsaid passing between them. “It’s fine,” he said after a beat. “You saved your mother that day. They know you can heal people. There’s no reason to get worked up.”
“See.” Cormack smiled at her, although it was wan.
“I told them all of it,” Sami admitted, morose. Even though Cormack was giving her a way out, she refused to use it. She was ready to take her lumps. It was impressive.
“Oh.” Aric screwed up his face. “Well, I’m going to let your mother handle this one.” He started for the waffles.
“Hey!” Zoe slapped at his rear end but he easily sidestepped her.
“What?” Aric’s expression was blank. “She saved you. I figure that’s on you.”
“Of course you do.” Zoe exhaled heavily and rolled her neck, her eyes ultimately landing on me. “We don’t technically know I was dead. It’s possible I was, but if I did slip over, it was just for a split second and then she saved me. It’s not a big deal.”
Maybe not to her, but for people who worked in the death business, it was a huge revelation.
“Was your name on a list?” I blurted out.
“What list?” Zoe leaned over and perused the waffle offerings. “I’m sure I have enemies in every corner of the state who have me on some sort of list.”
“Not that.” I shook my head. “The death list.”
She stilled. “I don’t know what that means.”
“It’s how we work,” Cormack explained, clearly choosing his words carefully. “Um, it’s like this.” He laid things out for her on a basic level, and Zoe was rapt as he explained. “So, my children collect the souls,” he wrapped up, “and then Izzy watches as they’re transferred from this world to the next.”
“It’s not a different world, though, right?” Zoe questioned. “We’re talking about different planes.”
Cormack lifted his hands. “Our worldview has been shifting of late and we’re still absorbing. ‘Planes’ is good for now.”
She grinned, amused, and shifted her eyes to Griffin and Aisling, who were joining
