Page 274 of Evil Hearts

“I’m telling you that is factually absurd, Ismael.” I shake my head and blink my eyes in genuine astonishment because I didn’t doanyof those things.

Did I?

I spin in my pantry as best as I can with the horde of food that’s stacked over my head and in teetering piles I most definitely donotremember makingorbuying.

“I don’t know where any of this came from.” I mumble dumbfounded.

Ismael gently pulls me out of the chaos when my elbow bumps something and I almost take a massive can of chili to the head.

“You’re sure?” He asks but I can tell he’s just humoring me.

“I’m positive!” I glare at him. “I make enough to splurge on Audioboooks, I don’t have money for all ofthis. And like you said, I could never eat it all on my own.” I turn back to the open, and overflowing, refrigerator. “The crisper and top shelf are all that I keep stocked. Stuff goes bad, otherwise, I can’t eat it fast enough.” I wave a hand at it and face him again with a questioning look, like maybe he’ll have an explanation.

“That is…odd.” He agrees with a nod, and perhaps…suspicion?

“Well, I couldn’t have you eating the woman out of house and home now could I?” A raspy feminine voice comes from behind us and I jump.

Ismael blades his body to keep me behind him as we turn to face her.

“Mother.” Ismael greets her with a shallow bow of his head and I lean to get a better look at her.

She’s eerily thin and tall with spindly limbs and dark hair nearly touching the floor in straight locks. Her arms are folded in front of her with her hands hidden in the sleeves of a brightly embellished white kimono. Her porcelain white face is devoid of any features save for a bright glowing gold light across the bridge of her nose where her eyes would be.

Her sleeves shift slightly as if her hands are constantly moving beneath them and her head tilts here and there as ifshe’s catching whispers as they pass. She reminds me of an Orchid Mantis perched on a beautiful flower that will still never compare. It makes perfect sense she would be his mother. It nearly hurts to look at her because she’s so prepossessing.

“Son.” She answers him with what sounds like a slight scolding tone. “Why are you trying to hide her from me?” There’s a soft giggle at the end and I feel my cheeks tingle with an answering smile.

She’s simply captivating.

He steps aside and encourages me forward with a soft push to the small of my back. I move to shake her hand, because what else do you do when meeting one’s mother? Even one who appears to be some giant angelic bug lady. I hear Ismael begin to speak but his mother cuts him off with a hiss and she meets my handshake.

“Izanami.” She introduces herself and lifts her hand, hands- many many hands, from her sleeve to shake mine.

I giggle again at the feel of a million butterfly kisses all along my hand and arm. It’s like peeking through a window into a happy childhood memory. I feel a lightness enter me and something in the back of my mind runs off so fast I don’t catch what it is before it’s gone.

“I’m-”

“I know.” She answers with a boop to my nose and brushes a lock of my hair behind my ear.

A happy tear slides down my face and a breath full of elation falls from my lungs. I’ve never felt anything like this. I don’t have words or comparisons. I look to Ismael for guidance and he looks utterly aghast at what’s happening.

My brow furrows and his mother tsks.

“Oh, stop sulking.” She scolds. “You all need this. And deserve it. It’s high time I reward you for your work.” She glides byus to glance into the pantry, resuming her regal stance with an expectant stare at him.

“I don’t understand.” He mumbles.

“Don’t mutter. I gave you speech, use it.” She cants her head at him and looks at me. “Such a hound.” Looking back to him she continues. “You and your brothers have been approaching your limits for a long while now. Your quality in work has declined and I know that it’s purely because you’re not motivated. I’m not showing you enough appreciation for what you do and I need to take accountability for that. You were brought into this world with mounting expectations and it’s not fair. I see that now. So I’m doing my part to make the appropriate changes. I’ve been listening to your hearts, asRoxettewould say, and I alsoheardthem. You’re lonely.” She points at me. “So is she.”

I bite the inside of my cheek and curb offense because she’s not wrong.

“Ebon wants appreciation.” IswearI see a blush cross her cheeks. “She..appreciates.” Iabsolutelyblush and look down at the floor ignoring Ismael’s gaze on the side of my face. “My sweet Resh wants to beseen. Not for the mutation he insists he is, but the inquisitive and caring soul he has always been. This woman would slice away her own eyelids to never look away.” She glides over to him and palms his massive head in her delicate hands. “You don’t need a human form foranyof it.Noneof you do.”

A canine whine resonates from his chest and his muzzle curls back with folded ears as if he’s feeling ashamed.

“I know it’s what you thought you wanted. I know you thought me cruel for denying it all this time, but it’s because I knew she was coming. She waswaitingfor you.” Still clasping his face she looks at me. “The others may need time. I’ll leave you two to discuss while I explain things to them. You’ll all reside here as you see fit. You’ll find the home has become accommodating for all of you, and before you chide me about privacy Ish, I alreadytold you I listened and heard all of you. She’s more than okay with all of it.” She pulls his head down so their foreheads meet. “Enjoy beingkept.” The last is whispered with a soft laugh and that’s it. She’s gone.

Tiny pink petals litter the floor where she stood but that’s all that remains of her presence.

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