Page 35 of Blue Embers
“Persephone,” I stepped toward her. “I’ll take care of all of that. You can’t think about it.”
“What am I supposed to do? Those things came here for her.” She gestured at the two corpses still lying in the parking lot. “She’s dead. What...I mean what thefuckis going on, Killian? Is this about the necklace? I...I didn’t know it--”
“Listen to me,” I said, grasping her arms before she could back away from me. “I will take care of everything. What you have to do is get your bearings. What do you need?”
“I need to take care of my sister.”
“She’ll be looked after. What doyouneed?”
“I…” she paused, flustered. “I need a change of clothes. I, um...I just need to…”
She stopped, tears interrupting her words.
“Alright,” I nodded, leading her to my car. “I’ll take you home. I’ll make some calls while you get yourself cleaned up.”
Persephone turned to me before getting in the car, her mouth twitching as if she was trying to come up with an excuse, but I wouldn’t let her even if she could. Reaching around her, I opened the door and urged her inside, taking one last glance at the catastrophe that we’d caused in the parking lot before I walked around to the driver’s side.
15
Persephone
. . .
“Here,” I pointed at a grey house three lots down from the street corner.
Killian turned into the driveway, killing the engine beside my sister’s blue Honda. We sat for a while in silence. I’d finally gotten a hold of myself and was able to breathe again after everything that happened at the hospital, but deep inside I was still at a complete loss. Part of me still imagined I could go visit Artemis when I’d calmed down enough and then I remembered she was gone. Actually gone.
Snapping out of my trance, I opened the car door and stepped out. Killian followed, trailing behind me up the stone path that led to the front porch. Pulling my keys out of my pants pocket, I unlocked the door and walked inside, catching an immediate whiff of Artemis lingering in the home. She smelled like roses and wine and seeing as I didn’t use scented lotions or perfumes, it was like the house had only been lived in by her rather than both of us.
In the entrance, three pairs of shoes were strewn about in sloppy disarray along with a sweater I couldn’t even remember tossing on the floor. With my head not exactly screwed on straight at the moment, I began worrying about the mess and bent to pick up a few things as Killian entered behind me and shut the door.
“It’s been a little busy the past few days,” I said, throwing my belongings in the closet by the entrance and closing them away. “I haven’t had time to clean up.”
“Persephone,” Killian said softly.
I continued into the house, headed for the kitchen where half a dozen glasses were spread across the bar counter. I collected them all, setting them by the sink and clearing some space. I wasn’t sure why I cared, but I couldn’t stop myself. Artemis was always cleaning and without her I’d let the place become a mess.
“Persephone,” Killian said a bit louder.
I walked toward the small, wooden dining table, grabbing a few more articles of clothing from the backs of the chairs when Killian stepped in and took my hand.
“It’s not usually like this,” I said as he turned me to face him.
“Stop,” he said.
I looked up at him, immediately finding a deep comfort in his silvery-blue eyes. I recalled the hospital parking lot when he downed a man bigger than he was with one hand. When he broke the man’s neck. His arm. Looking at him now, he barely had a speck of dirt or blood on him. Barely a hair was out of place. I felt a pull with him that even now I couldn’t ignore. I could only run from it, so I stepped away from him, pressing my lips together.
I had so many other things occupying my mind and I couldn’t focus on a single one of them completely. My home was small. It was bland. There was a mess of things I hadn’t organized, but overall it was plain and the only hints of character came from Artemis. She’d hung the photos on the walls. She’d painted the living room dusty pink. She was the one who picked out the different colored coffee mugs and the white rugs and the sofa pillows with inspirational sayings on them. I’d only ever contributed necessities.
“What are you thinking about?” Killian asked.
“Nothing,” I said. “Just that I need a bath.”
Killian kept a hold of my hand and started walking toward the hallway across the living room.
“I assume the restroom is this way,” he said, leading me along.
“On the left,” I said just as we came to the bathroom door.
