CHAPTER 17

Claire was less than thrilled about David’s and my decision to hire an events planner. It was Nyx and Galilea who convinced her it was a good idea since David and I set the wedding date for a month later—September 17th— and it would be utter chaos putting it together so quickly.

“I want to pay for the wedding-planner fees. My gift to the bride and groom,” Galilea said, sitting on the oversized sofa in her living room. “I can do that, can’t I?” She looked at Eileen.

“Of course,” Eileen said. “If the bride and groom say it’s okay.”

“Ugh! I can’t win with you.” Galilea threw her hands up. She looked at David and me. “So can I—pay for the planner?”

“Yes,” I said. “It’s really nice of you to offer. Thank you.”

“No problem,” Galilea said.

“I hate to eat and run, but it’s getting late, and I have an early start tomorrow,” Claire said, fishing her car keys out of her purse. “Galilea, your house is gorgeous. Alezzander, the burgers were delicious. And thanks to everyone for a great evening.” She turned to David and me. “We’re doing the same sleeping arrangement as last night, I’m guessing?”

“If it’s not too much trouble,” David said. “Our furniture is being moved back into the house from storage. But it could take two or three days, so I may have to inconvenience you a few more nights.”

“It’s no inconvenience,” Claire said, and then gave me a one-armed hug. “You’ll give me more days to accept it’s time for my baby bird to fly away from the nest.”

“There’s a whole month left until that happens,” I said. “I’m not going anywhere. Not now, anyway.”

“Oh?” Claire said, raising her brows. “I assumed you’d want to move in together.”

“You did?” I asked, puzzled.

“Actually, I contemplated the idea, but I didn’t think you’d agree, Mrs. Martin,” David said. “We aren’t married, so…”

“I’ll admit I’m not ready to let Isis go, but I don’t have a problem with her moving in with you. Unless your parents,” Claire looked at Alezzander and Nyx, “object.”

Who is this woman and what has she done with my mother?

“No objections here,” Alezzander said. “Dear?”

“It’s fine,” Nyx agreed.

“Mom,” I said. “There’s no rush. I don’t have to move out yet.”

“Yes, you do,” Galilea said. “I mean…uh…if I were you, I would. You know, because you’re pregnant, and Claire can’t look after you if she’s at work all day. Plus, it puts less pressure on me…um…I mean, on her.”

“I am worried about you.” Claire nodded. “Isis, you ate maybe three bites of your burger. Don’t think I didn’t notice. But it doesn’t mean you have to leave, honey. I’m not kicking you out,” Claire said. “Talk it over with David. You need to get used to making decisions together.” She stood. “Anyway, I’ll be going now. I’m dying for a bubble bath.”

“We’ll be home later,” I said. “You don’t have to wait up.”

“Oh, I didn’t plan to,” she said. Eileen and Nyx saw her out the door. “Say goodbye to your husband for me,” she told Eileen as she stepped out of the door. “It was nice to meet you both.”

“Likewise. Drive safe,” Eileen said.

“Night, everyone,” Claire said as she stepped out the door.

Eileen had just shut the door and headed out to the lab to join her husband when the doorbell rang.

“It’s probably my mom,” I said. “She must’ve forgotten something.”

Galilea stood and opened the front door. She stared at whoever was standing on the other side. She put a hand on her hip and slammed the door shut.

“Who was it?” I asked.

“No one,” she said, walking toward the kitchen. “I’m going to clean up.”

Hard knocks shook the door. David was the one who answered this time. He stepped aside, and Galen and Eryx walked in.

“Evening,” Eryx said to no one in particular. He gave me a curt nod. “Isis.”

“Hi, Eryx,” I said.

“I’m glad you’re here. Late, but here,” Alezzander said. “Gunn needs that scalpel.”

“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” David said to the twins.

“Have you been to the estate yet?” Nyx asked. “If you’re planning to stay, it’ll have to be at a hotel. There’s no furniture, and the electricity was suspended this morning. David’s put in a request to have it reconnected.”

“Father mentioned it when he called,” Galen said. He stuck his hand in his pants pocket and produced a small cylinder. He handed it to David. “But he forgot to mention Isis is pregnant. I’m not sure if I should congratulate you or buy you a funeral casket, David.”

I gritted my teeth at Galen’s comment.

“Galen,” Nyx said. “That’s a horrible thing to say to your brother.”

“Congratulations,” Eryx said to me. He kissed my cheeks. “Welcome to our family.”

Does this mean he doesn’t hate me? I could barely dare to hope it was true.

“Thank you,” I said.

“Galen, don’t you have anything to say to Isis?” Alezzander asked.

Galen studied me. “You’re too thin, and you wear too much mascara.”

“Try again,” Alezzander said.

“Again? Okay,” Galen said. “Let’s see… You looked better with long hair.” Galen cocked his head. “Although, I don’t hate the new look.”

“Galen,” Alezzander said, his nostrils flaring, his tone an octave lower. “Try. Again.”

“He doesn’t have to say anything,” I said. “He’s never liked me anyway. I don’t see why anything should be different now.”

“But it is different. You’re part of this family.” David said, eyeing Galen. “And Galen will respect you as my wife.”

A moment of silence followed as David and Galen stared each other down.

“Oh, all right. Fine.” Galen gave in first. “I’m very happy you’re part of our family, Isis. Congratulations on your wedding.” He kissed his fingers and touched my cheek with them. “And congratulations on the beautiful, rabid fetus growing inside you. Now, where is my Galilea?”

“Thanks, jerk.” I pointed with my thumb to the wall with the archway entrance. “She’s in the kitchen.”

Galen strutted out of the living room.

“What is wrong with your son?” Alezzander looked at Nyx. “He doesn’t get it from me.”

“Are you kidding? Have you met yourself?” Eryx said. “Anyhow…” Eryx dismissed Alezzander’s reprimanding stare. “On the phone you said you had to speak with us?”

“We’ll fill you in later,” Alezzander said. “It’s a long story.”

Galilea walked into the living room, a dish towel in her hand. She turned the corner and headed down the hallway to her room.

“Gally, would you stop?” Galen chased after her. “I’m not done talking to you.” I heard a door slam. Galen walked into the living room. “Galilea isn’t feeling well. She has a headache.”

“Are you sure it’s not a pain in the butt named Galen?” Eryx teased.

“Oh my…” Galen put his hand on his chest. “Hardy-har-har. I can’t contain my laughter. You’re so hilarious.”

“I don’t have the energy for this right now. I’m tired,” Nyx said. “Are you ready to leave, Alezzander?”

“Yes.” Alezzander stood up. “And let’s take the idiot boy with us.”

“I resent that,” Galen said. “But if you buy me dinner, I’ll forgive you.”

“I’ll drive,” Eryx said. “No offense, Father, but you drive slower than Galen thinks.”

Alezzander and Galen scoffed.

“You’ll call us once Tobias has the results of your blood cultures,” Nyx said to David. It was a request, not a question.

“I will.” David nodded.

Eileen and Dr. Gunn walked into the house from the side door.

“Ah, there you two are,” Alezzander handed Nyx her scarf. “I was about to go tell you we were leaving.” He turned to the twins. “Eryx, Galen, you remember Dr. and Mrs. Gunn.”

“Yes. Good evening, Doctors,” Eryx said.

“Hello, Gunn,” Galen said. “And Eileen…” He walked over to her. “You’re looking much too beautiful tonight.” He kissed her cheeks. “As always.”

“Why, thank you.” Eileen blushed.

“Do you have anything to eat?” Galen asked. “I’m famished.”

“I don’t think we have leftovers from the cookout, but I can make you someth—”

“Don’t listen to him,” Nyx said. “He’s joking.”

“No, I’m not.”

Nyx slapped Galen on the arm. He pouted like a reprimanded toddler.

“I have the Lutetium blade, Dr. Gunn,” David said. He showed the scientist the glass vile. “We’re set.”

“Wonderful news.” Gunn adjusted his glasses and took the clear tube from David’s hand. He studied the blade inside. “Should we get started or do you have to leave, as well?”

“We have time,” David said.

“It may be a while. Gathering the samples shouldn’t take longer than a minute. The first round of results is generated in about ten minutes. But the rest—the more in-depth analysis—those could take anywhere from two to five hours.”

“Do you mind waiting?” David asked me.

“Not at all.”

I saw Galen sneak away. He headed down the hallway.

“We’ll be waiting to hear the results.” Alezzander put a hand on his wife’s waist. “Shall we, dear?”

Nyx nodded. “Good night, Eileen and Tobias. Thank you for having us today.”

“Our pleasure,” Eileen said, walking them to the door.

“Wait. We’re a person with half a brain short,” Eryx said. “Where’s Galen?”

“I’ll get him,” I told him. “Pretty sure I know where he is.”

I walked down the hall to Galilea’s room. The door was cracked open.

“…and I have a boyfriend,” I heard Galilea say. “Did you think I would wait around for you forever?”

“Is that so?” Galen said. “What’s this boyfriend’s name?”

“Frederick.”

When did she get a new boyfriend? Maybe Galilea was lying to make Galen jealous. But if this Frederick was real, why didn’t she tell me about him? If she had, I was such a bad friend I hadn’t been paying her any attention.

I saw Galilea walk past the door. I stepped to the side to avoid being seen. I felt guilty listening in, but Galilea listened in on my conversations all the time. Not that it was right that I did it to her in turn. But I was curious about what she was saying to Galen, and, after all, the door was open.

“He’s lovely,” Galilea said, “And I’m going on holiday with him to Cabo as soon as I get the chance.”

“Cabo? That’s our vacation spot.”

“Was,” Galilea said. “Sadly. For you, I mean. I’m not the one groveling.”

“Is this what you want from me—to get down on my knees and beg you to take me back?” Galen asked her. “Because I will.”

“I couldn’t care less what you do. But before you make a fool of yourself, you should know it would be in vain. I don’t want you anymore.”

“I don’t believe you.” Galen walked to her. “You love me, Galilea.”

“Do I? More importantly, have you ever loved me?”

“How can ask me that?” Galen asked, indignity in his voice. “You know I do.”

“Funny. I don’t remember hearing you say the words ‘I love you’. Like ever.”

“Galilea, don’t be melodramatic. I’ve always shown…”

Galen and Galilea continued to argue. Now, it really did feel wrong to be listening in on their personal matters. I decided not to knock. Maybe this time, they’d work things out. I was sure Galilea still loved Galen; though, why, I didn’t know. And Galen wouldn’t be there if she didn’t matter to him, would he?

I took two quiet steps back, away from the door, and made my way to the living room.

“Is he coming?” Nyx asked.

“No. He’s talking with Galilea,” I said. “I didn’t want to interrupt them. It sounded…serious.”

“Well, I’m not waiting for him.” Eryx opened the front door. “I’m exhausted and hungry. I’m sure he can find his way to the hotel.”

“I’ll drop him off once we’re done here,” David said.

After brief goodbyes, Eileen excused herself and went to bed, but not before preparing a cup of tea to take along. David and I walked with Dr. Gunn to the lab.

***

It’d been more than two hours and Dr. Gunn was still working in the lab in the garage. We decided to wait in Galilea’s living room, sans Galilea. My cheek was pressed against David’s chest as we sat on the sofa. My eyes were closed, but I wasn’t asleep. I heard footsteps, yet kept my eyes shut.

“What happened in there?” David asked.

“Usual. She’s playing hard to get,” Galen said.

“You’re an asshole to her, you know? You should treat her better.”

Dream boy curses when he thinks I’m asleep. Noted. I felt Galen take a seat on the couch.

“I’m beginning to think she hates me,” Galen said.

“You think? It’s been about a hundred years, and you’ve never introduced her as your girlfriend to anyone.”

“We date,” Galen said. “We don’t do the girlfriend-boyfriend bit.”

“You’re going to lose her, and you’ll regret it.”

“Eh… She’ll come around. Sooner or later.”

“You, my brother,” David said, “have far too much confidence in your words.”

“Ah, so now that you’re wed, you want to give me relationship advice?” Galen laughed. “Because you’re wise beyond your years having endured heartbreak and betrayal? And speaking of betrayal,” he paused, “I’m not convinced the child in her womb is yours. How do you know she didn’t fuck your best friend?”

I clenched my teeth, felt David’s chest rise high.

“You’re playing with fire, Galen. Don’t talk about her that way. And for Deus’s sake, don’t start this here. Not now.”

“Fine. But I can’t help but wonder. If Eros comes looking for his bastard, what are you going to do—let him fuck her again?”

“Shut your mouth,” David growled.

“David’s right. You are an asshole,” I said, sitting up. “And a huge dick.”

Galen laughed a cynical laugh that made the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. I heard footsteps in the hallway and turned to see who it was. Galilea appeared at the doorway to the living room.

“What the…” Galilea’s eyes widened. “Isis…Isis, get away from him.” She reached behind her back. “Galen!”

“Galilea, put down that dagger,” David said. “He’ll leave, if that’s what you want. There’s no need for violence.”

“Galen!” Galilea screamed louder.

“Galilea, you’re scaring me,” I said. “What’s wrong with you?”

Galen walked up behind Galilea. But he was also sitting on the couch. I glanced from the couch to the hallway.

But how?

The Galen sitting on the sofa grinned. I felt a cold chill run up my spine, and I stiffened. His eyes shifted in color from green to blood red, his irises long like a reptile’s. Immediately, the rest of him took on the shape of a demon.