Rive (2 page)

Their world was opening up. It was a dangerous, dark world they only knew because of Celeste.

She snuck into the kitchen, filled the pot with water, and put it on the stove. She could only hope they wouldn’t be afraid, that they wouldn’t hate her, that they wouldn’t freak out.

Rylan came up behind her, rested his chin on her shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist. “That went well.” He smiled into her shoulder.

She stifled a giggle. “Yeah, great. Was your favorite part when my mom passed out or when my dad looked at you like you were a serial killer?”

“No, no.” He planted a soft kiss on her neck. “It’s fine. I promise. Give it some time.”

“Celeste?” Her mother’s voice pierced their moment.

Rylan jumped back and she whirled around. Her mother stood in front of her father in the entrance of the kitchen. Her face was streaked with tears.

She closed the space between them and pulled Celeste into her arms. “Oh, baby. I love you so much. Why didn’t you tell me? My sweet, sweet girl.”

Celeste hugged her back, breathing in the sweet almond lotion her mother always used. “You’re not freaked out? You don’t hate me?”

Her mother pulled back. Their eyes met, mother and daughter. She cradled Celeste’s face in her hands. “You’re my child. I will always love you no matter what. We will get through this together.”

They hugged again, her dad wrapping his arms around the both of them. “It’s okay, honey.” His low voice rumbled in her ear. “We’re here for you always. We’ll figure this out.”

Regina stepped into the kitchen. “I’m going to go. Thank you for your hospitability, Mr. and Mrs. Shreeve. And please, tell no one of what you know.”

Her mom squeezed Celeste’s shoulder before she answered Regina. “Yes, of course.”

“I’m gonna head out too. Let you guys have some family time.” Rylan pecked her on the cheek then followed Regina out of the kitchen.

Celeste was left alone with her parents. Her adoptive, scared, tense parents.

“Sit.” Her mom gestured to the breakfast nook. “I’ll make some tea.” She turned on the stove, busying herself with the preparation of tea.

“Okay.” Celeste pulled out her usual chair, facing the window. She rested her chin on her hand, staring at the dark gathering outside. The
Sidhe
filled the space, shadowy figures interacting with her world. She’d gotten so used to them she barely saw them anymore.

Her mom plopped a steamy cup of tea in front of her, interrupting her reverie. “What are you staring at?”

Celeste took a sip of her tea. It was tangy on her tongue with citrus undertones. “You don’t want to know.”

One of the
Sidhe
stepped forward, leaning on a tree in her back lawn. He was more human looking than most, with shoulder length brown hair and modern looking clothes. He smiled at her. She turned away, hoping he wasn’t following her. She’d seen him before.

Her father plopped down next to her. “I’m worried about you, honey. She said some of these
Sidhe
are dangerous. She said one of them tried to hurt you, and that’s what happened to Tink.”

Damn. She cringed again. Tink was fine now, thank goodness, but she would never forgive herself for putting him in danger. “Some of them are dangerous. But what to do? This is what I am.”

“You have to do this? You have no choice?” her dad asked.

Celeste nodded slowly. “I am what I am.”

Her mom sank into her chair. “She said you would have to leave. Go to Ireland. I’m just not comfortable with this. I’m not understanding any of this.” She chugged her tea. “I’m so worried.” She placed her mug on the table. “I think I need something more than tea tonight.”

Her father put his hand over his hers. “Hon?”

“No, I’m not okay. It’s a lot. It’s too much.” Her mom stared into her empty cup.

Her father whispered something in her ear. She straightened, wiping the stray tears off her face. “Right, okay. Bed time.” She stood, hugged Celeste, and walked into her bedroom.

Her father pulled Celeste close. “It’s okay, honey. It’ll be okay.”

Celeste walked on numb legs to her bedroom. Her mother’s fear-stricken face filled her mind. They didn’t deserve this. She didn’t deserve this.

She opened her window and leaned her elbows on the windowsill. She opened herself up further, allowing the
Sidhe
to pass through her.

A shadow detached itself from the gloom-filled yard.

It was him, the one she’d seen before. She studied his face. Chiseled features, bright deep red eyes, and tall slim build. “What do you want?” she asked him.

He only smiled then disappeared. Sometimes they could be so freaking creepy.

Rylan was nowhere to be found, no doubt keeping his distance from the family trauma. She didn’t blame him.

She’d never forget the look on her mother’s face.

Her phone buzzed to life, casting a small square of light on the wall. A text from Rylan.

I’m staying here tonight. Mom back in town. Sorry.

She smiled. It was nice, actually, that they’d get a chance to spend time together. His mom constantly traveled and seemed disinterested in Rylan’s life. The disconnection between them bothered her.
Okay. Love you,
she texted back.

She changed into pajamas and slid into her bed. It was cool and unforgiving without Rylan. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to rid her brain of the image of her mother’s frozen, shocked face.

Chapter 3

Celeste woke to her cell phone ringing. She glanced at the clock before picking it up. 5:40a.m.
What the. . .
“Hello?”

“Oh, my effin’ God, are your parents wigging out or what?” Tink’s voice came through the line.

“Morning. I’m guessing Rylan texted you?” she asked dryly.

“Yeah, he told me last night, but made me promise not to call until today. I can’t believe Regina showed up, like seriously? That pretty fairy needs to chill the fuck out. She should probably update her hair too. It’s very eighteenth century.”

Celeste sunk back into her pillows. “It’s summer, Tink. It’s called sleeping in. Go back to bed.”

“There is no sleep. I’ve already had three lattes. Can you tell? I feel shaky in my no-no parts.”

Celeste groaned in response. A ticking noise came through the phone. “Is that your turn signal? Are you in a car?”

“Yeppers. Turning on your street. Put on a bra, sister, because it’s time to get shaking.”

“For your own safety, you better have coffee for me.”

“I’m pulling into your driveway. Stop whining and let me in.”

She pulled on a tank top and shorts. It was hot smack dab in the middle of summer, but Kansas was schizophrenic with its weather. They got all four seasons in Kansas, sometimes in the same day.

She let Tink in the front door. His head nearly brushed the top of the door frame as he stepped in, coffee in a paper cup in each hand. “Morning. Are your parents up?”

“Of course not. Most of the human population still sleeps at this hour. Why are we not sleeping, again?”

“Grumpy butt.” He shoved a coffee in her hand before giving her a quick hug. “Are they okay?” He sat on her couch, propping up his long legs on the coffee table.

“I think so. My mom fainted. She cried a lot too, and then needed some space. I think they took it very well, considering.” She sat next to him. “I’m surprised they haven’t had me committed or called the police on Regina.”

“They’re your parents. They knew you were different. Maybe they didn’t understand what it was and maybe they were in denial, but they knew.” He slung an arm around her. “Nothing will change. They’ll still love you.”

“I know.” She sniffed the coffee he brought. “What is this?”

“Something with ten words in the title and mocha and chocolate in it.”

“Thanks.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “How are you feeling? How are the scars?” Her voice came out small.

“I’m fine. No scarring, love.” He patted her knee. “Stop blaming yourself, please. I can’t deal with it.”

“Okay, fine.” She stood. “But I love you.”

“Love you too.” He tilted his cup, finishing his coffee in loud gulps. “That’s enough ooey gooey stuff first thing in the morning. Your parents won’t be up for a while. Want to go eat some pancakes? I know a place that has all you can eat before 7:00a.m.”

“Okay.”

***

“This seems so formal,” Rylan said. He pulled her against his hip as they stood on her front steps. “They’ve been in there all day?”

She forced all the stuck, stressed air out of her lungs. “Yep. All day.”

“Better go in. Your mom said 6:00p.m., and it’s already five after.”

“Right.”

She forced herself to open the door, afraid of what she would see.

Her mom appeared in the narrow doorway leading to the kitchen. “Hey, sweetie. We’re in here!”

Rylan left his hand on the small of her back as she moved through the familiar living room with the red, puffy “blood clot,” couch, as her father called it, draping tapestries, and Thai figurines, all a beautiful reflection of an eclectic mother.

Her father and mother sat at the narrow wooden table across from Regina. Steam rose from the battered teapot in the center of the table. It smelled faintly of mint and rose, one of her mother’s favorite teas.

Her mom smiled at her. Tension still etched the edge of her eyes, but it was a real, genuine smile. “Don’t look so scared. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Celeste smiled back, feeling the stress decrease just the tiniest bit. “You didn’t sign up for this.” She sat down next to her mom. Rylan planted himself in the corner of the room, standing.

Her mom poured her a cup of tea. “I did ask for this, actually. I prayed and wished and hoped for a daughter. Year after year, begging any and all Gods to send you to me. They did. I got my wish.” She used her finger to pivot Celeste’s chin so they were face to face. “And here you are now, a true miracle of the world in every sense of the word. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Relief rushed through Celeste. Tears pooled in her eyes. She hastily tried to wipe them away before they rolled down her face. “I thought maybe you were afraid of me.”

“Oh, no, honey.” Her mom pulled her out of her chair and into a hug. “I love you so, so much. Do you understand?” She patted her hair. “I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. I was just shocked, as was your father. It’s not every day you find out your child is a
Tuatha de Dannan,
or that such a thing even exists.
”

“Thanks, Mom. You guys are the best parents ever.” She wiped the rest of the tears off her face then set back down.

Regina shifted in her chair, discomfort written all over her face. Celeste had never seen her anything but cool, calm and collected.

Her dad leaned forward so he could pat her hand. “We both love you very much. We’re trying to figure out how to best handle your situation. We understand a lot more about your. . . duties.” He smiled. “But you are still a child. Our child who we must protect.
Tuatha
or not.”

“Okay,” Celeste said.

“Celeste, I’ve been discussing with your parents our facilities in Dublin. It’s the central organization of the
Tuatha de Dannan
. We’ve got a board of directors that two
Tuatha
and one
Sidhe
serve on. We must do further training there and get your guard roster going.”

Celeste clapped her tea down. “What do you mean guard roster?”

“Your parents are concerned about your safety, as am I. After what happened with Fayga and Ramone, we can’t let anything like that happen again. You’re going to need bodyguards from here on out to protect you,” Regina said.

“Um, I’m not sure how I feel about that. Do all
Tuathas
have body guards?” Celeste asked.

“No,” Regina said.

“Do you?” Celeste asked, tilting her head to the side, smug in her assured victory.

“Yes.”

Rylan uncrossed his arms. “I can protect her.”

Regina angled her body to face him. “You’ve been a wonderful source of protection for her, and I don’t doubt your sincerity, but she needs consistent, uninvolved and professional bodyguards. Ours are trained specifically as guards.”

He guffawed, but kept his mouth shut.

“Where is your guard?” Celeste asked.

“They’re around.” Regina lifted her chin. Celeste followed her gaze out the window, where the brown-haired
Sidhe
leaned against the tree, full smile on his face.

“That’s your guard?” Celeste pointed at him. “He’s a creep.”

“You’ve seen him?” Regina said.

“Yes, he made his presence known.”

Regina flashed a stern look to him. He bowed, and then disappeared. “You won’t see him again.”

“What just happened? Was that one of those
Sidhe
?” Her mom was still twisted in her seat, staring at the blank spot where he’d been standing. “Where did he go?”

“He’s still around. He just put some distance in between us so he won’t bother us. I’m sorry, Celeste. He’s shouldn’t have made his presence known to you in such a manner.”

“Yeah, that makes me feel super confident about a guard.”

“You must have guards. It’s for your own safety,” she said. “I’ve already discussed it with your parents.”

Her father held up his hands. “I agree with Regina. You need guards. I can protect you from physical things, but I can’t protect your from non-corporal beings. We will allow the board to assign guards to you, but each and every guard will be screened and approved by me and your mother.”

“Okay.” Celeste glanced at Rylan. His eyes flashed like a thundering storm cloud. “No creeps, though.”

“Of course.” Regina took another sip of her tea. She cleared her throat. “We also need you to spend some time in Dublin. You have much to learn about your powers. You can stay on the compound. Rylan or another
Sidhe
can bring your parents whenever they want.”

“That’s just not going to happen,” her mom said. “She’s our child, she sleeps in our home, and she lives with us.”

“Ms. Shreeve, I understand, but Celeste is not your ordinary teenager.”