Page 21 of Firefly

When her body had come alive under his touch and he’d had to cover her mouth to keep anyone from hearing them, he knew he would burn the memories of their lovemaking into his brain. When she was gone, he would carry these moments with him and cherish the time they had, no matter how fleeting.

Her eyes drifted closed and he lay beside her, watching the rise and fall of her chest as something in him began to mend. It would break him to let her go, but it was the only way she would be safe.

He glanced over at the jar of fireflies buzzing against the glass. Rebecca was just like those fireflies: a bright light trapped within invisible walls. But he would find a way to free her.

Chapter 15

Simon

1943

Sarah turned three, Rebecca turned twenty-three, and the world was at war. Men from every state had been called to join the effort, leaving America with a dwindling population and far less crime.

For Simon, that meant demons were harder and harder to find. Pulled by death and despair to the most horrific places, many had left the United States. Alexander’s youthful glow faded and his violent outbursts were becoming the norm.

For a short time, there had been an understanding between Simon and Alexander. And although his soul grew sootier with each human death, Rebecca had never seemed healthier.

Simon leaned back on his elbows, watching Rebecca as she made puffy rain clouds and dazzled Sarah with glittering rainbows. Her gifts were truly magical, and it was extraordinary to watch, but a sense of unease that he couldn’t shake had settled over him. It told him their fragile peace was about to be shattered.

“Do fireflies, Mama.” Sarah scooped a forkful of cake into her mouth and stared up at the night sky as Rebecca set hundreds of flashing lights loose into the night. She leaned down, whispering in Sarah’s ear.

He could hear, but he let them have their secrets even as something warmed in his chest. No matter what, Sarah would have these small nightlights as a reminder long after her mother was gone.

Rebecca leaned back against Simon’s shoulder. “I’ve been practicing. Want to see something neat?”

He grinned. “Always.”

She scrunched up her nose, and a tiny glowing bug landed on Simon’s shoulder, followed by another, and another.

Sarah clapped her hands. “Do me!”

Rebecca’s brows furrowed in concentration. A tiny bug landed on Sarah’s nose, lighting up. She squealed in delight and tried to catch it, but the bug zipped away, and she ran after it.

“You’re getting better at controlling them.”

“I’m not sure what use this skill will ever be,” she laughed, “but Sarah enjoys my little tricks.”

“You’re an amazing mother. She’s lucky to have you.”

A tremor ran through Rebecca and she sat up, biting her lip. “Something’s coming. Something I might not survive. I’ve had these dreams. I don’t know what they mean, but I get a sense it’s some sort of premonition of my future. Or my lack of one.”

“Nonsense.” Simon reached for her hand. He lifted her fingers to his lips, kissing each one. “I’ll keep you both safe.”

Rebecca looked down, extracting her fingers from his hold. “You know you cannot stop my father.”

He flinched. She hadn’t meant it as chastisement, but the rebuff stung nonetheless. He’d been doing everything he could to keep her safe, but she was right. It wasn’t enough. Selfishly, he’d been enjoying their time together and had put little effort toward a plan for her escape.

“I’ve set aside a bit of money, and I’m working to get more. When I have enough, you and Sarah can leave this place.”

Rebecca looked up, meeting his eyes. “You’ll come with us?”

He swallowed a lump rising in his throat. “Rebecca,” he said, “you know I can’t.”

“I won’t leave you to my father. To be tortured by him.”

“He won’t. As long as I do what he asks.”

“And what if he asks you to find me? To bring me back. You won’t be able to ignore his request.”

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