Page 92 of Oleander
“Close your eyes, Skyler. Block it all out and focus. Remember! Imagine exactly where you wish to go. And only that!”
I’m going first since I know where to take us, rooting the portal to my mom’s new home in St. Louis. I walk up to the portal entrance and close my eyes, taking a deep breath and picturing the house I visited briefly before Onyx and Birch tore me away in shackles.
I step into the portal, stumbling out on the other side and falling into the soft grass of my mom’s backyard.
I did it.
Our entrance is concealed by royal magic. The rune on Oleander’s neck not only creates a temporary and controlled rift between the worlds, it also conceals that rift with cloaking magic. Everyone stumbles out of the portal one by one and falls over each other like a pile of dominos. We took glamour and compulsion tonics an hour before we left, ensuring they would be activated by the time we arrived.
Everyone straightens their clothes, checking for grass stains before we walk up to the front door.
“Let me! Let me!” Gaia shouts in excitement, running up the steps to ring the doorbell first. After a few seconds, my mom swings the door open with a giant smile on her beautiful face. “Trick or treat!” Gaia shouts with an excited giggle, and my mom laughs right along with her.
“Aren’t you just adorable! Look at you. All of you.Wow.Come in, come in,” my mom says kindly.
I know what she means. The Fae have a certain irresistible allure to humans. Their beauty is otherworldly, regardless of the tonic that hides pointed ears and glowing eyes.
We’re an attractive group, that’s for sure.
The house smells like warm sugar cookies, cinnamon, and pine. And my mom didn’t hold back with the decorations.
Garland and lights are wrapped around the banisters, and a large tree is tucked into the corner, decorated expertly. The fireis warm and inviting, and plates of treats are set up on the living room coffee table.
“Hi, Mom,” I say a little awkwardly before she pulls me into a tight embrace.
“Oh, honey. I’m so glad you’re here.” She kisses me on the cheek. “Make yourselves at home. All of you. Please. There’s a coat closet behind you, and snacks are in the living room. I’m sure you’re all exhausted after your long flight.”
I murmur our agreement for everyone since they can’t exactly lie. Even though all we had to do was step through a portal, the magic won’t allow her to ask any specific questions aboutFranceor our supposed university there, just like she couldn’t seem to find the contact information. It’s a little risky having this many Fae teenagers here, but we have contingency plans for our contingency plans. We’ll be okay. I’m like ninety-five percent certain.
We take our bulky winter coats off, and I introduce her to each of my friends, starting with Oleander. “Mom, this is my boyfriend, Ander.”
“Hi, Ms. Fairfield. So good to finally meet you in person.” He holds a slender hand out, ready to politely shake hers, but she wraps him in a mom hug instead, squeezing tightly.
“Yes, it is. Andplease, call me Amanda. All of you.”
We make our way into the cozy living room, and I look around, admiring her new home. “It’s beautiful here, Mom. I’m so glad you’re happy.”
“Thank you, honey. I really am happy here with Scott and the girls. He’ll be home later, and I can’t wait for you to meet him. The girls are young, so we decided to have them stay with their mother while you’re here. Maybe next time.” I appreciate that, not exactly wanting to end up as a babysitting big brother.
My eye catches on a tray of my favorite childhood cookie, and I’m completely distracted. “Snickerdoodles!Yes!You rock,Mom.” I grab the whole platter before taking a bite and humming at the warm deliciousness. I wrap an arm around her shoulders, tucking her into my armpit and speaking with my mouth full. “These are so fucking good.The best.”
“I know. Now share.” She lightly swats at my arm and offers the tray to Nerine, who takes one and passes it down. All of my friends grab one, trying the beloved cinnamon and sugar cookie from my childhood.
They instantly compliment Mom’s baking, and she beams with pride. I know it’s always been a relaxing hobby of hers, so when she gets praise for her treats, she takes it to heart.
“What other Christmas traditions can we try?” Gaia says with excitement. “Eggnog? Do you have any eggnog, Amanda?” Her bright eyes glitter in anticipation, and my mom stumbles over her own words, likely confused by my friend’s strange behavior and odd excitement.
“Oh, um, yes. Sure. I’ll be right back, hun.” I know my mom wants to ask Gaia if she celebrates Christmas or a different holiday, but she won’t. She’s too polite.
Once she disappears into the kitchen, I turn to my friends. “Hey, you guys. Don’t be so obvious, would ya? She’s going to think you’re aliens or something.”
Hawk bursts out laughing at that. “Oh my goddess. We sort of are.” He looks to Zephyr. “Are we?”
“No, dumbass. Now be polite, and don’t even think about hitting on Skyler’s mother before I slap you upside the head,” Zephyr answers.
“What?!” I gasp. “Dude, don’t.”
Hawk holds his hands up in surrender. “All I did was tell her she looked lovely when I handed her the orchid. That’s no different than Leo handing her his fucking box of chocolates.”
