Darker Days (The Darker Agency #1)(29)
Even with just the dim light shining in from the other room, I could see him flush. He pulled away in a flash, like he’d just gotten caught copping a feel or something. “I’m sorry.”
I grabbed his arm and placed his hand back on my bare forearm. It was pleasantly warm in contrast to the chilly air and, guiltily, I liked the way it felt there. “You gotta get over this stone-age mentality. It’s not like you’re grabbing my boobs or anything!”
“Am I interrupting something?” Mom came through the door, followed by Dad.
Lukas pulled away so fast he lost his balance and landed on the couch, eyes wide. “Klaire, I—”
She looked from him to me and sighed. “Do you mind if I talk to Jessie for a moment?”
“Of course.” He climbed to his feet and scampered out the door without another word. Dad turned on his heel and followed. I hoped he wasn’t going to go all demon-Dad on the poor guy. Arm contact must have been equal to ass grabbing back in his day. He was seriously freaked without an added lecture.
Mom waited till the door closed, then turned to me, expression grim. “Your father went to his boss Valefar to request an extended stay.”
I swallowed. They had to be worried if Dad was willing to request shore leave. The lower ranking demons needed special permission from their bosses—AKA masters—and it never came cheap. If they weren’t here on official business, they needed special permission to stay for any length of time. Dad used to visit me on my birthday every year. But on my seventh one, he brought uninvited company in the form of a party crashing fire demon. After that, Valefar revoked the birthday visit privileges. “And?”
“He has permission to stay until we get this all sorted.”
“Not that I’m not glad to have Dad around—and the extra help would be great—but is it really safe for him to be running around town with the Sins lose? I mean, they need him, right? For the spell? Without his blood, they can’t be freed…”
She shook her head. “I said that, too, but truthfully, I need his help. And you know your father. Stubborn as the ocean is deep. Don’t worry. He can take care of himself.”
I settled across from her, unsure what I should say next. The silence that hung between us was, for the first time I could remember, uncomfortable.
“What about Kendra?”
Mom sighed. “We found her a block from the store and brought her home. I explained to Cassidy what was going on.”
“You told her about the Sins?”
Mom’s lips twitched. “I didn’t have any choice. They’re one of the few families I know with permanent residence in Penance that could do serious damage if affected. They’re more dangerous if unaware. Plus, I need her help, too.”
“Her help?” Cassidy Belfair wasn’t the helpful sort unless she was getting something out of it.
“Lukas says the Wells family is local to these parts. The Belfairs are, as well. Witches keep detailed histories. If anyone can help me locate a Wells witch, it’s Cassidy. Considering my time limit, I didn’t see another option.”
I wanted to argue, but couldn’t. I wondered how the conversation had gone. Mom and Cassidy had never really clicked.
“What about Kendra? She’ll be okay?”
“Your father believes it will wear off in a day or so. She’ll be back to normal.”
“Oh, good… Lukas said pretty much the same thing.”
Mom shifted in her seat. “Yeah…” There was more coming. I could tell by the way she tapped her right foot and ground her teeth. All tells that there was something pressing on her mind.
I nodded and glanced away, bracing myself for the lecture. Actually, I kind of looked forward to it. This was painful—forcing small talk. While a part of me wanted to get away with running off half-cocked to Flankman’s, a bigger part wanted something other than what happened between us earlier to focus on.
“We think you’re right about Lust. Bindle Barnes must have been affected. I know he’s always—had a thing for me—but he’s never spoken out of line like that, much less gotten grabby.”
“The whole thing was way disturbing…” The truth was, I’d probably never be able to scrub the scene from my memory. I was scarred for life.
“It would explain his behavior.” She laughed. “I believe that was the only thing keeping your father from shredding him limb from limb.”
A few moments of silence ticked by. When I didn’t say anything, she continued.
“About Lukas… I know you’re—disappointed,” she said. “But I did—”
I held up my hand. “I love you, Mom. But you’re right. I am disappointed. I put you on this kind of pedestal and seeing you fall off…”
“That’s not fair. I’m only human, and I make the choices I feel are right. They’re not always easy, and sometimes it sucks, but that’s what being an adult is.”
“I just—could we not do this now? Shop talk only. Agreed?”
I knew she was hurt, and I felt bad about it, but I needed a little time. She was my idol. My superhero role model. I knew I was too old to think that way, but there it was. I’d just been told Santa Claus didn’t exist. That took a bite out of your butt in the worst possible way.