Why do I feel refreshed when I wake and roll over in bed, but feel like I might drop dead the moment I get up? When my toes touched the floor, all the blood from my head seemed to drain down to my feet, leaving me lightheaded. As for my eyelids, they suddenly got a mind of their own, trying to close regardless of my thoughts on the matter.
Dafuq, man.
I eye the bed I've just left and squint.
The messy blankets and the pillows look kinda alluring right now….
Guess it's another mystery of life, huh?
With a sigh caught in my throat, I turn around and drag my feet to the desk beside the closet, where the kids have put the outfit they want me to wear today. My pace slows down, and I feel my mouth twitch. Denim, black pants and a pastel pink turtleneck.
My fear has finally become real; Ellena has decided to match my clothing to her favorite dress.
Hm, what's worst: dealing with her tantrum or walking around in pink?
Well, one can destroy my eardrums in a heartbeat, and the other... The other does nothing.
I snatch the turtleneck and dress up, my mind still groggy.
"You put it on the wrong side." A chuckle travels to my ears, prickling me. I glance askance at Jordan, who's leaning against the doorframe. He's already dressed up, ready for the day. I can't help but cock an eyebrow at his turtleneck; it mirrors mine, though it's a few sizes bigger to accommodate his broad shoulders and overall larger built. Strangely enough, pink suits his human form. As for his demon form… Not so much. "Need some help?"
"No." I scrunch up my nose before removing the turtleneck and flipping it over. I pretend I don't notice Jordan's eyes on me. It's not the first time I've undressed before him—he's been living in my bedroom instead of his own these past few months. What's the point of having two bedrooms if he stays in mine, even when the kids sleep in their room or Jonathan's?
To start with, I was kinda half-naked at our first meeting. It's just that his gaze has changed since the wedding; at some point, it has lost its polite restraint, and it lingers longer on the burn mark on my waist.
That is, until the turtleneck covers it.
"What's the plan for today?"
"The kids would like to ice-skate," Jordan announces with a faint small tugging at his lips. He then arches an eyebrow and adds, "Atop the Mount Kowell, of course."
My answer is a yawn and a nod.
Whatever the kids want, we must oblige in one way or the other.
For the past ten days, we've been going out on these family outings—with Eve, Lucy, and Todd occasionally joining us. Sometimes, we're out from morning to evening; other times, only for the evening. Considering that the hike to reach the peak of Mount Kowell takes at least an hour, and that's during summer, I think we'll be out all afternoon this time. Maybe longer.
But…
"Is that even a good place to bait the lycans?"
It's a mumble, but Jordan hears it anyway.
"Yes, there's a family event today, and people can rent skates for free for their kids." Jordan shrugs. "According to Lyon, he overheard some zealous fools talk about ambushing lone families on the trail. Instead of kidnapping children discreetly, they've decided to adopt a brasher, more flamboyant method. They'll most likely get rid of the unnecessary family members and drag the kids away while making it look like a bear attack of some sort. They have the claws for it and people in the police force to aid them cover-up the murders."
Jordan pauses, letting me digest the information. His lips don't remain unmoving for long, though. "Your brother suspects a few prominent law enforcers to be among the cultists, judging by how much they've been getting in the way of the investigation."
My teeth crack as I clench my jaw. Time is ticking on their side, and they're throwing caution to the wind. If they want to succeed this time, they need to collect enough offerings in the next few days. They've got to start sacrificing children a week prior the solstice; that's the only way for the ritual to accumulate enough souls to bring back the dead.
Or so, that's what the ritual says.
My stomach drops. I haven't heard of many kidnappings as of late. The news channel has been oddly quiet. Either my brother is doing a good job at spoiling their plans, or the abducted children haven't been reported.
I purse my lips.
Regardless of what hunters might say, lycans aren't brainless mutts. There are plenty of ways to get their hands on children without necessarily abducting them, but these children usually didn't have the best of lives, and don't make the "purest" sacrifices. They need untainted souls, whatever that means.
Still, these monsters wouldn't hesitate to use them as a last resort, just in case.
They probably did for the new year.
Although that ritual failed.
"What are you thinking of?" Jordan asks, his voice soft.
"Nothing important."
Spinning on my heel, I walk pass him to go downstairs.
Whether my stomach agrees or not, I need to eat.
Before, I've never cared about these unknown causalities. I've read about them so many times in reports that I've grown to expect them. They'd always been mere numbers. Yet now, there's an uncomfortable itch in my chest at the mere thought of this possibility.
And as I wonder why, I'm met with Ellena's and Elois's sparkling gazes in the kitchen.
"Dad!" They both shout, their smiles stretching to their ears as they dash toward me to hug my thighs. At the impact, I almost fall on my butt; it's like rockets have pounced on me.
Hello bruises.
Kids, for the nth time, I'm a goddamn human, so how about treating me like I'm made of glass before snapping me into half, hum? Not like I can tell them that, or they're going to do the same thing as their father and follow my words to the letter. I fear they wouldn't even dare get close to me if I warn them about being more careful.
Even though I cleared the misunderstanding with their father, the stubborn guy still keeps his distance and avoid touching me.
Note to myself: ductape my mouth when I drink. Sounds like a good idea.
Ellena leans her head against my hip, snapping me out of my thoughts, and hums in her sweet voice, "Father said to let you sleep this morning, so we patiently waited for you to wake up! Aren't we good kids?"
Her eyes ask to be praised, so that's what I do. I ruffle her hair, and she chuckles.
In response, Elois tugs on my shirt, looking expectant. So, I also ruffle his hair, too.
"Yes." I lower my voice. "You both were good kids."
Better not tell them that I'm dead tired thanks to them bouncing around with endless energy. As far as I know, I'm not a demon; I don't have the stamina to keep up.
"You look tired," James says, and I peer at the sloth lying over the table.
Pal, between the two of us, you look even more tired.
Let's not talk about Jonathan.
"Oh, right," Jordan hums behind me. "I forgot to tell you, but Lyon will be accompanying us for a bit. Another lure, if you will."
Right. The fools hate the next heir who opposes their ideals. They'd be delighted at snatching kids he's close to right under his nose. Though I'm surprised he agreed to that plan with that soft nature of his—did Bryan tell him Jonathan and James aren't actually kids, but old vampires?
"You've got to be shit—!"
"Language!" Jordan interrupts James, and the vampire pinches his lips, glaring resentfully at the patriarch. Gone is the previous timidity.
After one last glance at James, I opt to stay quiet and drag the little leeches with me to the kitchen counter to prepare my breakfast.
Whatever animosity James has toward Lyon, he'll need to put it down tonight.
Stopping these fools come fist; their childish quarrel, second.