“He came to the house today, Alexander. He came to the house and I could barely keep it together. I can’t help anyone here, I just can’t.”
“Celine, calm down, here, sit down.” He led her to a sitting room off of the foyer. “You know the effect he has on you, that doesn’t mean you are powerless.”
“Even if I’m not just Josie, I can’t help them,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “I’m not strong enough no matter who I am. Alexander, please tell me you’ve found something that will help.”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve found nothing. You have my help, whatever you need, but I cannot do anything alone.”
Josie’s shoulders sunk, her head sunk into her hands and she sobbed. Alexander held her close; she relaxed into him, letting her tears fall. “Celine, are you struggling with this because you’re resolute in your decision to remain Josie?”
She wiped at her tears. “I’m not resolute, I’m starting to realize remaining Josie may be impossible. But becoming Celine solves nothing, I was unable to defeat him for centuries.”
“I think you’re overwhelmed, Celine. I think you might need some rest. Perhaps you should lie down here.”
She pushed against him, sitting all the way up. Sniffling, she wiped the tears from her face. “No, no, I need to see Celeste. Thanks, Alex.”
“Celine, are you sure?”
“I’ve already seen her, it’s fine. I need to ascertain if she can help. Is Teddy here?”
“Yes, I believe he is. Let me get them for you, Celine, please rest here.”
“I’m fine, I’ll go.” She stood and began walking out of the room, letting herself out the door.
Josie made her way across the property. Alexander was one person who she had confirmed could do nothing to help the situation. If she remembered correctly, Celeste and her husband, Theodore, would be at a house at the edge of the property. The house stood on a cliff near the seaside. Josie spotted it on the horizon as she made her way toward it. Her mind whirled as she pressed on, nearing the house. She forced herself to walk down the path to the house and up the steps onto the porch. Her heart raced as she pounded on the door.
Theodore opened the door, visibly shocked when he was greeted by Josie. “Celine,” he said, shock in his voice, “hello, ah, it’s good to see you. Come in!”
“Thanks,” Josie said, walking through the door.
“I assume you’re here to see Celeste?”
“Both of you.”
“Of course. Make yourself comfortable.” He motioned toward the living room off the front hallway. “I’ll get Celeste. Celeste! CELESTE!”
Josie heard her voice from upstairs, “Yes? What is it?”
“Celine is here.”
Within seconds, Josie heard footsteps coming down the stairs. “What?” Celeste’s face was a mask of shock as she entered the living room. “Celine! Oh, it’s good to see you. I didn’t expect you to come.”
“I saw him, Celeste,” she said, wringing her hands.
“Oh, darling.” Celeste sat next to her on the sofa, putting her arms around her. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Josie took a deep breath and continued, “I need you to do something about him. Stop him somehow.”
“Celine, we can’t,” Celeste said. “I mean not really. We can help but we can’t stop him.” Celine didn’t answer. “Celine, oh, my dear baby sister, I’m so sorry, but we can’t do anything to stop him and he seems to be determined this time.”
“Look, Celine, I realize this isn’t what you want to hear, but your sister is just being honest with you, don’t blame her for this,” Theodore said.
“I don’t blame her for this, Teddy. He seems insatiable this time, you’re right. Can you help the children at least? Anything?”
“I’m sorry, Celine, we’ve tried. That’s when Gray begged me to find you. We were out of options.”
“I’m not an option at this point either, though.”
“I realize that I cost you so much, Celine. I didn’t understand what I was doing then, but I do now. But did you ever consider that Josie’s life isn’t the life for you? That you’re meant to be here?” Celeste asked.
Josie didn’t answer again. “I need to go,” she said, frustrated.
“No, Celine, don’t. Please stay, you’re exhausted. Let me take care of you.” Celeste said.
Josie shook her head, “I need to get back, check on the children.” She stood and walked to the entrance hall. Turning back before disappearing through the door she said, “It’s okay, Celeste. I’m not angry. I love you, you’ll always be my sister. I understand what you did was not out of malice.”
Celeste rose and rushed to her, tears filling her eyes. “Oh, Celine. How happy that makes me. I love you so much. I’ve missed you. You will always be my sister. You need to take care. We will help any way we can. Just tell us what you need.”
Josie walked back to the main house. She was unsure she could avoid the inevitable, but she was determined to continue to try. Physical and emotional exhaustion prevented her from making any decisions. On her way to the bedroom, she checked in with both Max and Maddy. Both were resting. She dragged herself up the steps and to her bedroom. She collapsed into the bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Moments after she laid down, Josie bolted up from her sleep. Something was wrong; she could feel it. It was already dark outside; she wondered how long she had slept. The house was quiet, almost too quiet. She looked around, trying to orient herself in her groggy state. She turned the light on, but it wasn’t working. She wondered if the power was out. She got out of bed to check. When she went into the hallway, a voice called her name. She followed the sound of the voice. Turning the corner leading to another hallway, she found the voice’s source. It was Max, she rushed to him, fearing that he was worse and wondering what he was doing out of bed.
As she
