Page 151 of Demise

Jonathan…my dad, still weird to think about, raises his eyebrows in recognition as he moves through the guys. The next to offer up his hand is Wesley, then Ronan, lastly being Vincent and Asher, of course. Wait, Proctor? As in…

“There she is,” Rachel smiles as she makes her way out of the cottage, wrapping me up into a hug.

“Are you—”

“Your aunt?” She smiles. “Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask.

She gives me a dry look. “How should that conversation have gone? Welcome to my store. I recognized you instantly, you’re a spitting image of your mother with a touch of your father, who happens to be my brother? Oh, and by the way, your mother isn’t actually dead and has been heartbroken every day she hasn’t been in your life? But keep it to yourself?”

“She’s right,” Liam says. “That’s a mouthful.”

Ever the comedic relief, everyone chuckles at that as Jonathan makes a sweeping motion.

“Please, come inside.”

Rachel steps in first, followed by me, my mother, and all of the guys. I move to one of the several couches in the living room, taking a seat as Vincent and Asher quickly claim the seats to my left and right, ever my guard dogs. Liam, being the goof he is, doesn’t mind sitting on the floor in front of Vincent and Asher, as Ronan and Wesley stand on either side of the couch, flanking us all.

My dad takes a seat on the other couch, dragging my mom into his lap. He begins nuzzling her neck and she smiles, giggling and pushing him away as he only drags her closer. I can’t help but smile as I watch them. They look so at peace, so in love. I hate that I lost my mom for all of these years, but it helps a little to know that the years without each other have been filled with light and love.

“Ugh, get a room,” Rachel grumbles as she comes out from the kitchen, a lit smudge stick in her hand as she begins waving it around the room, and more specifically, my guys.

“You’re in my house.” My dad reminds her.

“Yes, and you have company. You can maul your wife later.”

He sighs dramatically in a way that reminds me of Liam before he lets my mom sit beside him instead of on him, though it’s clear she preferred it the other way. As Rachel comes up to us, she sprays something out of a bottle at Asher, Vincent, and Ronan as if they were misbehaving dogs.

“What the fuck? Again?” Asher snarls as Vincent stands to his feet.

I yank at his arm, forcing him to sit, which he does so begrudgingly.

“Smudge spray. Cinnamon, moon water, black pepper, vinegar and rosemary. Sorry. Someone had to do it, your auras are practically leaking into the house. None of us need that shit,” Rachel says.

“You’re not sorry,” Asher grumbles.

“You’re right, Putnam, I’m not.” She smirks.

“Okay, that’s enough,” my dad says before Rachel rolls her eyes and puts her things down, taking a seat beside her brother.

“So,” my mom starts.

“Sooo?” I question.

Awkward silence descends around the room for several seconds before Liam blurts.

“How are you alive? I mean, we all thought you died in a boating accident when Sky was three.”

My dad grips her hand, and she nods with a sad smile.

“I did, kind of, and yet, I lived.”

We all give her puzzled looks and she looks at her husband before continuing.

“I don’t need to explain to any of you how the Brethren works. Based on the amount of Elder rings in this room, it seems you know perhaps more than I.”

All but Vincent glance down at their ring and nod morosely.

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