Loved (House of Night Other World #1)(58)

“That’s amazing, Grandma. Thank you so much!”

“Child, this isn’t a cure for Jack’s illness. I do not have that power—neither do these stones. Neither do you. Remember that. Be wise. Go to him now. Talk with him. Get to know this Other Jack who is just another version of your true love.”

“I will.” Damien’s sense of relief was overwhelming. He ran a trembling hand through his hair. “How much time will these beads give me with him?”

“You should be safe until he sleeps with the rising of the sun.” She closed and handed him the small picnic basket. “Take this with you. I packed it with a little something for you both.”

“It’s a lot smaller than your normal picnic basket, Grandma.”

“Oh, I have many such baskets—each the correct size for its purpose.”

Damien peered inside to find a thermos, which was warm to his touch, and two beautiful crystal wine glasses. Damien raised his eyebrow at Grandma. “Coffee?”

She smiled knowingly. “Blood. Warm and fresh. Shaunee got it for me.” Damien blinked in shock, which had Grandma giggling and looking like a precocious girl. “Do you think I do not know you drink blood, wahuhi?”

“I, well, yes. I suppose I did know you knew. But I didn’t expect you to be so comfortable with it.”

She lifted one shoulder. “It does not shock me. Do you know my people used to eat the fresh, still-bleeding livers from the animals killed to feed the tribe? It was done with respect and appreciation for the life given. This blood was donated, not forced, and it was accepted with respect and appreciation. I see no fundamental difference in the two.”

“Thank you.” Before he closed the lid of the basket, Damien slipped in the book he’d been planning to read—just in case Jack was sleepier than he anticipated. He could, at least for a little while, sit in his room and watch him while he slept.

“And, Damien, I want you to take someone with you to see Jack.” Grandma interrupted his thoughts.

“But I thought you gave me this so that I could be alone with him,” he said, gently touching the beads. They felt cool and soft beneath his fingers, and they seemed to vibrate slightly with every beat of his heart.

“This someone is special. She’s waiting outside your door. You’ll find a little something for her under the thermos and the wine glasses.” Grandma waved her hand dismissively at him. “Go, now. I will tidy this and show myself out. You don’t have long until sunrise.”

Damien smoothed his shirt, glancing around for a mirror.

“You look perfect. Just go. He is alone down there. He is frightened. And he is struggling against Darkness that has a deep, firm hold on his soul. Go to him. He needs you as much as you need him.”

“I will. Right now. Thank you, again.” Damien bent and kissed her gently on her soft cheek, and whispered, “I love you, Grandma.”

“I love you, too. Never forget how very much you are loved in this lifetime. Wahuhi, a family isn’t made from blood. It is made from spirit. The spirit of your House of Night family is very strong.”

Damien went to the door, but before he opened it he looked back at Grandma. “What does ‘wahuhi’ mean?”

“Owl. I decided if Stark is a rooster, then you must be an owl.”

“I like it,” Damien said. Then he opened the door slowly and peered out. “Hello?” he said to the empty hall.

Woof!

He looked down to see the blond lab sitting prettily, tail wagging as if she’d just been given her heart’s dream. “Duchess! OMG, it’s fabulous to see you! I’ve missed you so much!” Damien went on his knees and she practically crawled into his lap as he laughed and rained kisses on her sweet, familiar face. “Hey, want to go see Jack?”

Woof! Woof! The tail wagging increased to an almost maniacal level.

“Okay, let’s go then!” Damien had to force himself not to jog. Duchess stayed at his side, wagging happily and doggie-smiling up at him. He rested his hand near her head so that he could touch her reassuring warmth. “Jack’s going to be different,” he told her earnestly, and the lab fixed her intelligent gaze on him, listening carefully. “He’s going to smell different. A lot different. And he might not know you. But, please don’t let that scare you. Be nice to him. Please. For me.”

Woof! Woof! Woof!

Damien hoped three barks meant yes.





18


Damien


Damien paused outside the door to Jack’s room, nodding to the Son of Erebus Warrior who had been stationed there as a guard. Thankfully, the Warrior was there to keep Jack in—not to keep people out.

Damien was nervous. Very nervous. Duchess sat beside him, tongue lolling and tail wagging happily.

Perhaps I should be a dog, he thought. They seem to find happiness easily.

He raised his hand to knock, and then couldn’t do it.

Duchess looked up at him and whined.

“Okay. I know. Okay.” He drew a deep breath and knocked.

“Come on in,” Jack said.

Duchess’ ears pricked instantly at the sound of his voice.

“That’s right. It’s Jack,” Damien whispered to her as he keyed the numbers into the deadbolt lock on the door. “Ready?” When she wagged and danced around enthusiastically, Damien decided a little decorum might help. “Sit, Duchess,” he told her. “And wait.”