Evelyn
Imogen has been pacing in the living room again. Something has made her nervous after her sister called. She won’t say anything, but something has changed. Her tears stop as she nervously paces in front of the door, jumping at every noise she hears.
Ryland’s wounds finally heal after he manages to wash the majority of the poison from them. Orion is staring off into space when I feel Thaddeus’ mood switch, making Ryland look over at me, obviously feeling it too. Relief and happiness radiates out of him and into us.
Theo and Tobias are sitting on the couch, watching the fire crackle, completely silent. My daughter lays on Tobias’ chest as he rubs her little back. Time seems to move so slowly, agonizingly slow, as we wait for Thaddeus to return to us.
Thaddeus’ sudden shift in mood is alarming; one minute, he is almost happy; the next, I feel the tendrils of darkness flood into him, so thick that it makes my heart race faster. We can hear the storm brewing outside, and I have no doubt it is from him. What is he doing that he is using his magic? Has he officially lost it? Did he break, as Ryland said?
I can’t understand the shift, but my anxiety is through the roof as I watch lightning light up the sky outside. Ryland gets up, pacing along with Imogen.
After a while, I no longer feel anything from Thaddeus, like he is suddenly blocking us out. That is almost worse. He cloaks himself and shuts off his emotions like a switch, leaving me with nothing to go on. Worry claws at my insides when my daughter suddenly starts crying, the lights flicker as she shrieks.
Tobias rocks her, trying to get her to calm down. Everyone freezes as we watch the power in the house surge until she suddenly quiets. A few minutes pass and the sound of the front door opening makes everyone look toward it.
Thaddeus walks in, and Imogen sobs in relief, throwing herself at him and embracing him in a hug.
“Thank goodness you’re okay,” she says, and I can feel his shock as he hugs her back. He is a wreck, his clothes all ruffled, yet he is unusually calm. Tobias and Theo get up and Thaddeus’ eyes snap to the little bundle in his father’s arms; his eyes tear up at the sight of her.
“Where is Amara? Where did you put her?” Theo asks, worried, and I realize she isn’t with him, she isn’t in his arms anymore; what did he do with her body?
“Didn’t think you could kill me off that easily, did you?” her voice says behind us, making us all jump.
Ryland’s head turns in her direction and a strangled noise leaves his lips as he charges at her. Scooping her up and squeezing her as he crushes her against his chest, relief courses through him at seeing her. His guilt moves to the back of his mind; it is still there, but now overshadowed by his immense relief.
“Amara?” Theo and Tobias say at the same time, as everyone runs toward her.
I stand shocked, looking at Thaddeus, who has a silly grin on his face; happiness radiates out of him as they all hug her.
“Now, where is this niece of mine? Hand her over,” I hear Amara demand as she takes her from Tobias. “Isn’t she the sweetest thing?” Amara coos. “Hi, baby girl,” she says, kissing the top of her little head.
I rest my head against Thaddeus’ chest, and he wraps his arm around my shoulders.
“You brought her back,” Ryland says, turning around and looking at Thaddeus. He nods but says nothing, too busy watching his parents fuss over Amara and the baby.
Ryland walks over to him, and Thaddeus pecks him on the lips and hugs him. “I never blamed you,” is all Thaddeus says, and Ryland nods, hugging him back, resting his head on Thaddeus’ shoulder while Thaddeus rubs his back.
Amara passes our daughter to Orion; we really need to come up with a name for her besides ‘the baby’. Tobias and Theo walk over, hugging Thaddeus with tears in their eyes.
“Thank you,” Tobias says, squeezing him.
I step out of their way, moving toward Amara. She brings me into a hug, squeezing the air from my lungs. “I will be the best aunty,” she tells me, and I nod.
“You’re the only aunty; hard to compare,” Thaddeus taunts her.
“Don’t forget our deal, brother,” she retorts, and he rolls his eyes.
“What deal?” I ask, confused.
“Doesn’t matter. Here, Ma,” Thaddeus says, holding out his hand to her.
Amara nudges me with her elbow, motioning toward Imogen, and I watch as his mother approaches him and Thaddeus hands her something. Imogen gasps, and I realize it’s a necklace. “You’re really giving it up?” she asks, and I try to figure out what she is talking about.
“Yes. Do what you want with it,” he says, and I look at Amara, who has a huge grin on her face.
“What is it?” I ask. Then recognition hits me, and I cover my mouth. No wonder he seems so calm; I can’t feel it, feel the darkness writhing through him. “Your magic?” I ask, and Thaddeus nods as I throw myself at him, wrapping my legs around his waist, hugging him tightly. Orion hands our daughter over to Theo as he and Ryland tackle us, making us all crash to the ground in a heap.
“No need to make a big deal out of it,” Thaddeus growls, and I can feel he is a little embarrassed.
“So, about this name. I am telling you Amara is perfect. Look at her, she is exactly like me, perfection in a small bundle,” Amara says, looking down at us.
“I said middle name only,” Thaddeus growls.
“She said, he said, she said; Amara is perfect,” Amara says, and I climb off Thaddeus, who is currently crushed beneath us.
“I’m not calling her Amara; we will come up with a name,” he says.
“Come on, brother, look at her; isn’t she the cutest, like me?” Amara says, holding our daughter closer.
“No. Middle name, and that’s it,” Thaddeus tells her, making me chuckle.
Amara pouts, giving him the evil eye and walking over to hand our daughter to Theo. We all sit up and find Imogen has placed the necklace around her neck for safekeeping.
“You are doing the right thing,” Imogen tells him as she hugs him. He pats his mother awkwardly on the back as I realize he is starting to choke up; she gently rubs his face. “I love you, son. Always have, always will,” she tells him, and he nods, falling silent.