Page 35 of The Luminaries
Winnie makes a face. “Yeah, sure. Don’t worry about the nightmare that makes banshees and werewolves run in fear. That sounds like another dimension piped through a carburetor.”
“You’ll be safe on your next trials,” Mario insists. “Hunters will be nearby the entire time. So whatever this Whisperer is, it’ll die just like every other nightmare out there.”
But will it?Winnie thinks. She doesn’t say it aloud, though—there’s no point. She’s going into the forest tomorrow night for the second trial, whether or not the Whisperer is real. All she can do is pray she doesn’t run into it.
And pray someone else starts taking it seriously—before it’s too late.
CHAPTER20
Winnie has only just gotten home and is making tea when Mom pounces on her. Literally pounces, like a harpy with claws bared. “Jay Friday called.”
Winnie pauses her steeping of Earl Grey. This is unexpected. She’d thought Jay would just show up, haunting her doorway with his gray, tired eyes and forever mussed hair. That seems more on brand for Jay than calling ahead. “What did he say?” Winnie tries for nonchalance, succeeding about as well as Mario had.
“You haven’t heard from that boy in four years.” Mom leans onto the counter. She reeks of hash browns and bacon, and Winnie spots two ketchup stains on her T-shirt. “Now he wants to be friends again?”
“It’s not like that,” Winnie tries, but Mom is having none of it.
“Then what is it like?”
“He’s helping me.”
“Oh, yeah? And why now?” Mom pushes off the counter to start pacing. “For four years, everyone in this damned town has acted like we were poison because of Bryant.”
Winnie flinches at the sound of her dad’s name. It’s so unexpected—so unlike Mom to say it—that Winnie doesn’t even point out she owes adollar to the swear jar. She just watches with widening eyes as Mom walks faster.
“I thought Jay would be different though. He loved you, you know? Erica too, though she hadMarciato contend with. I know you think I’m an overbearing mom, but I’m nothing likeMarcia.” She keeps saying that name like it’s a cussword all on its own. “It was less of a surprise that Erica pulled away, but Jay? I really thought he’d be different. Now here we are, four years later, and he’s not. He’s just like everyone else. Lizzy too!” Mom rounds suddenly on Winnie. “You know, she came to me at the Daughter this morning, asking me all about you. She and every other Luminary are acting like they can get some of your banshee-killing shine if they just talk to me…”
Mom’s face is red. Her eyes are bulging like two manticore pustules about to explode. All Winnie can do is stand there, holding her Earl Grey while it oversteeps and Mom storms and stomps and racks up a colossal tab for the swear jar.
Her stomach knots as she watches. First just a little tangle, like a kink in a gold chain. Then a full-on snarl that’s so chunky, so clotted there can be no saving the chain. Because if Mom is this upset that people are suddenly paying attention to her, then why did Winnie bother doing this? Sure, she wants to be a hunter, but a huge calculation in her risk assessment had been how much it might help her family.
It’s too late now for her to admit she didn’t kill that banshee. Darian got promoted. Mom gets to go back to Wednesday dinners. And Winnie thought that was what theywanted.
“I thought you were happy I did this, Mom.” The words whisper out, hollow and meek.
Mom freezes in mid-stride, cheeks ablaze and arms high. And Winnie’s knotted horror must have reached her face, because suddenly Mom rushes to her. “Aw, hon.” She takes the mug from Winnie’s hands and sets it on the table. Then pulls Winnie to her for the third hug in just as many days. It has to be a record. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have unloaded like that. Iamhappy. I’m just… I’m ashamed you had to do this, you know?”
Her voice cracks, and a new sort of knotting coils into Winnie’s belly.
“I’m embarrassed it couldn’t be me to solve it all.” Mom squeezes,talking into Winnie’s hair now. They’re the same height, but Winnie feels so much smaller. In a good way. “I am so, so,soproud of you, Winnie. You did what I couldn’t do, and you earned respect that I lost for us.”
“You didn’t lose it. Dad did.”
Mom doesn’t say anything to that, but she nods. “It upsets me how quickly the clans can change their tune. After four years of shouting at me for more ketchup, now they want to be friends. But… let’s be real, Winnebago.” She withdraws, grinning slyly. “I don’t mind either. Even Marcia Thursday invited me for coffee next week—and yes,Idid accept.”
Winnie attempts a smile of her own, but it’s snagged because the gold chain is still snagged. And Mom can tell. “I’m sorry I got upset that Jay called. I just don’t want to see him hurt you again.”
Winnie drops her gaze to her toes. “It’s not like that.” Her glasses start sliding. “We aren’t friends. He doesn’t want to be friends. He’s just tutoring me.”
Not a lie.
“Because I’m so behind in my training.”
Also true.
Mom sighs, a defeated sound, but also an accepting one. “Okay. Then I’ll give you a ride. He said to be there at two, and…” She glances at the clock. “It’s a quarter till. You’ll never get there in time on the bike.”
“Get where in time?” Winnie hurries after Mom, who is now pouncing for the Volvo keys and then pouncing for her jacket.
