Twenty-three

Farrin had signed her out against doctor’s orders. The way Genevieve kept switching between normal speech, singing and, what was to them, gibberish made them want to keep her for more tests. 

Harm had come with Brandon to visit as they were leaving. They had demanded that someone stop her from leaving, poor Ethan got the worst of it. Farrin had arranged a helicopter from the hospital to avoid needing to use Alpha Germain’s airstrip. Ethan had been holding her necklace. The first time he met his mate she was cussing him like a mule. 

Genevieve knew from Farrin that Dr. Latro would try to help Ethan ease his way back into his own pack, and if it couldn’t be done, she’d take him into hers. That he had Harm now would make things easier on him whichever way things went. 

The flights weren’t as long as she’d expected. They’d been flown to a larger airport and then it seemed like only an hour or so until they touched down in North Carolina. She stayed close to Farrin, without her stones she was nervous about being around so many people, and they kept staring.

“They’re staring because you look terrified. They see a man in a suit accompanied by a girl in stylishly ragged clothing. You look young when you’re afraid, and the clothes don’t help. More than one person has wondered if you’re my sister or if I’m sex trafficking you.” His tone was dryly amused.

“Without something to hold onto, I feel helpless. You’re doing a great job of keeping me insulated, I’m just…” She bit her top lip.

“We can fix that. There are jewelry stores here.” Farrin pressed his hand to the small of her back. 

The first they looked at was kitschy and didn’t have anything she could use. The second wasn’t quite as bad, but there was only one piece that caught her eye, a Roman glass choker from Israel. It was strung with kyanite, rutilated quartz, and onyx and the tarnished looking metal rings and bars made it fit well with her clothes. She would have liked to clean it first but even just holding it for a moment to give it a purpose before putting it on made her feel better.

Leaving the shop she felt more sure of herself, and a little envious. To be able to just walk into a store and not even need to ask the price of things was more impressive than it should be. Farrin grinned and wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked.

“You’re easy to impress, Sibbi. Maybe next I can take you and have something done with your hair.”

“My hair is fine.”

“Your hair looks like you cut it yourself.”

“I didn’t but I could. Sharp scissors and a few ponytail holders and you have a decent enough bob.”

“Don’t you dare.” The scandalized tone of his voice made her smile.

“Oh! Hey! Waffle House!” She was only a little hungry but Waffle House country hash browns and a slice of pecan pie genuinely sounded good.

“We can have something made at home. I have never eaten at a Waffle House and I don’t intend to start now.” Farrin rubbed his face and tried to pull her away. 

“You are missing out. Come on, for me?” Widening her eyes and tilting her chin down she tried to make puppy eyes but she was almost certain the fact she could barely keep from laughing was spoiling it.

“I never considered the fact I might hate having a sister.” His narrow-eyed expression of annoyance might have been daunting if there wasn’t just the hint of a smile on his face.

“You love your horrible sister, and you’re going to at least sit with me while I eat things that make you want to run screaming into the night. Fair’s fair.” Genevieve tugged his arm and he followed toward the restaurant.

“I’m going to make a will when we get home. We’ll be buried together and they’re going to put ‘Declassè’ as your middle name.”

“Only if they put Fauntleroy as yours.” She put on a haughty expression and brushed her finger up from the bottom of her nose. “Even Brandon likes Waffle House.”

She gave her order of country hash browns, two dark roast coffees and two slices of pecan pie as Farrin sat glowering at her. Coffee came first and Genevieve shook her head as he added cream to his. “Black is better.”

“Says the woman who can’t taste anything.”

“Black coffee has a taste!”

“Drink your coffee, Sibbi.”

His refusal to even taste the hash browns was deeply amusing. They at least weren’t a hideous shade of green. The pie he tried grudgingly and she could tell he was trying not to let on that he was enjoying it.

Once they had paid and stepped out she bumped against him. “Now you can’t say you’ve never eaten at a Waffle House. And you liked that pie.” 

“You are the worst possible sister I could have gotten.” 

“Unfortunately, when you get things out of the scratch and dent bin all sales are final.”

He started to laugh and pulled her head close to kiss the top of it. “Sibbi, you’re the most expensive thing anyone has ever gotten from a scratch and dent bin. I’m almost certain that you’d clean up beautifully if we lived long enough.”

“It’s a shame we won’t. I like you. You’re a good brother, even if you’re a horror of a human being sometimes.” Rising on her toes, she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“I’m a horror of a human being all the time, Sibbi. It’s why you’re safe with me. Or haven’t you noticed the way people have been getting tired and out of sorts just from having me walk by?” 

“You’re being an energy vampire to keep this bubble of quiet around me.” Biting her top lip she eyed the people around them with new concerns. “You could take energy from me to do it, couldn’t you?”

“I like having you awake for a change, Sibbi. You’ve been mostly asleep for days in the hospital. We’ll be home soon. The servants are quiet.”

She shivered. “Servants. I don’t know why but the thought…”

“Sibbi.” Farrin had frozen in place.

Following his gaze she saw a frail looking man with a knife-like smile being wheeled toward them. The man she’d seen in the hospital bed, but now he was sharply dressed and his brown eyes were open and bright. She took hold of Farrin’s hand and squeezed. It wasn’t going to be alright but they were together and justice would come. The man looked baffled and amused as he was brought to a stop in front of them.

“I couldn’t bear to wait to greet my long lost Sybil. You couldn’t have found your sister some more appropriate clothes, Farrin?”

“He chose clothes he knew I would like. If he hadn’t I wouldn’t have worn them.” Genevieve could feel Farrin’s caution but she had no intention of allowing him to be bullied. She could see the older man’s intent, to prod at him until he fell back into line. “And Sybil is not my name.”

The older man’s smile widened and she could see where Farrin had learned the shark smile he’d given Alpha Germain. “My dear Sibyl, we can discuss this at home. Farrin has had the chance to get to know you and I require the same. Come give your father a kiss.”

“I don’t know you, and I don’t like being touched by strangers.”

“You’re being rude.” The older man slowly waggled a finger at her as if she were a child.

“You’re going to burn me to death, I think I’m being surprisingly polite.” Genevieve offered him a mirthless smile.

“Ah. No one’s yet explained that the things you see aren’t set in stone exactly as you perceive them. However, taking that into account you are being well-behaved.” He studied her and his expression of bemusement returned. “You’re letting Farrin do all of the work?”

“I left my things behind. He seems to think there are better ways of protecting myself than salt, smoke, and crystals. And of course generally avoiding contact with people when I can.” 

She watched his head tilt. “I look forward to seeing the things you’ve learned. I simply meant, I knew you would lean on him but I didn’t think you would rely on him so completely. You find him capable?”

“Capable would be damning him with faint praise.” Her words and the conviction behind them prompted Farrin to pull her head close for another kiss.

“Sibbi isn’t overly fond of the way I do some things, but she has absolute faith in me.”

“Sibbi?” The older man spat the name with distaste.

“You may call me Ms. Geary. Only my brother calls me Sibbi.”

The walk to the limo was tense. Farrin was nervous but amused. He’d enjoyed her rudeness as much as he’d been afraid for her. The old man was lost in cold contemplation. Being near him was like being next to a glacier in a t-shirt.

After he was helped into the car the older man began to speak again, “I understand the wish to keep some distance, Ms. Geary, but I would prefer it if you called me Father. Dara, if you can’t bring yourself to be quite that intimate.” He looked at her speculatively and Genevieve knew she was being tested and measured.

“Dara. The beautiful one.”

“Are our roots so easily traced?” He smiled faintly. “You found out a branch of our family came from the Carribean?

“I don’t know anything about them. I just have a fondness for names and the Sibyl has referred to you as the Beautiful.”

“The Sibyl. I’ve waited so long to meet her. I was furious with your mother for hiding you.”

“I imagine that’s why you killed her.” She shrugged and let the Sibyl speak, “Twisted rope and thread. The True Image cannot rest, there must be justice for both.” 

“Twisted rope and thread. I’d almost forgotten. You can see back as well as forward, that’s interesting. Does it cause you any confusion?”

“Not as yet. But then confusion is relative.” Genevieve took a breath and leaned against Farrin. “I was convinced that Farrin intended me harm. I could see he was going to attack my Alpha and-”

“Stop. Your Alpha? How did you get entangled with a pack of werewolves?”

“I moved to a new place and they felt the need to warn me not to make trouble. One of the wolves that came in was my mate.” The disgusted look on Dara’s face was somehow deeply gratifying. Farrin rubbed his face as if trying to wipe the smirk off of his face but she didn’t bother hiding her amusement. “Why is that so upsetting? I didn’t know much about them, but what I learned from being with them was all positive.”

“Beastiality disturbs some people, Ms. Geary.”

“I’m sure it does, but being with my mate isn’t-wasn’t beastiality. He’s a person.”

“You’re no longer with him? I didn’t think they allowed outsiders to leave without being changed.”

“I’m a witch, I won’t change.” She bit her top lip.

“There’s something else too. Farrin?” Dara glanced at him.

“He’s afraid of the Sibyl. If he can’t trust her, he can't love her. Sibbi loves him, she loves his pack and the Alpha. Separating from them for their own good was very hard for her.”

“I see. They won’t be coming to look for you?”

“No. The connection has been broken, and…” she let Farrin put an arm around her. “And I left with Farrin willingly after he attacked my-their Alpha. They have no reason to come for me.”

“My Farrin attacked an Alpha?” Dara’s eyes widened in delight. “And managed to leave with the mate of one of his pack? The mating must not have been completed properly.” 

Getting comfortable against Farrin she studied the older man’s face, it was eerie how much she and Farrin resembled him. “You know a lot more about them than I did. How did you learn about them?”

“Books and, of course, your mother.” He wanted to see how much she already knew.

“She wasn’t a witch?”

“No, she was chosen for other reasons.” His knife-like smile returned.

“I haven’t spoken to her about it yet, would you like to be the first to share?” Genevieve gave him a faint smile.

“Yet? You…” He leaned back, parting his lips and running the tip of his tongue over his lower lip. “She spoke to you and you intend to speak with her further.”

“Yes.”

His brown eyes lit up. “I had hoped you would have exceptional talents, it seems I chose well.” His eyes shifted to Farrin. “Take good care of your sister, I want her kept content while we learn about her.”

“The Servant is not yours to command. You bent him from his form, reunited we are as we should be.”

The smug smile that fixed itself to his face faded as he met her unwavering gaze. “The Sibyl thinks she can challenge me, as untrained as she is. Or do you think you can hide your lack of education from me?”

“You don’t like things as they should be. I can see the path to my death. It’s not a pleasant one. Frustration isn’t something you handle well.” Something that runs the family… Lifting her hand and placing the back of it over Farrin’s heart she gave the older man a grim smile. “My brother is well educated and the Sibyl is strong. For a time it will keep us safe.”

“And after that?” Dara leaned forward.

“The fire will burn, the water will flow. Cold is the water. Water underneath and fire above but no light. Smoke and heat but no light.”

“I know the place. I haven’t used it in years. You’re going to make me very angry, my dear Sybil.” He bit the tip of his tongue with an unsettling smile. “You’ll be willing to do what I ask when I bring you out.”

“You won’t. The Sibyl will remain. No trust, no mercy.”

“No mercy? You should consider trying to change the outcome. Do you have any idea how painful it will be?”

“I do. Death will be a relief.” 

“But you’re still speaking to me?” He leaned back again, “And Farrin isn’t flinching like a frightened child. It’s impressive.”

“I want answers. Not just to the things the Sibyl wants to know.”

“Ah. And in exchange, will you answer my questions?”

“I can do that.” She turned her head slightly as Farrin took hold of the hand over his heart.

Dara pursed his lips with amusement taking in the picture. “You look very comfortable together, very intimate.”

“Are we Roderick and Madeline-ing again?” She straightened slightly and gave Farrin an amused look as he pulled her hand up to kiss.

“I wouldn’t dare. Not after you threatened to cut my Roderick off.” He smirked letting her feel his mirth.

“Roderick and Madeline?” Dara clasped his hands watching with an indulgent smile.

“Fall of the House of Usher. It’s a joke between the two of us.” Genevieve offered with a shrug.

“I take it you won’t need a bedroom of your own then.” His lips twisted as his eyebrow arched.

“And I see now we come by creepy honestly. Wow.” She couldn’t suppress a smile as she inclined her head. “That’s a Vincent Price smirk.”

The older man returned it with what looked like genuine pleasure. “You do, though I’m usually perceived as macabre or sinister. Creepy is a childish word.”

Her smile turned into a grin despite herself. “The childishness of it isn’t what bothers you. Creepy just means giving a feeling of fear or unease, you like to take it up a notch and you insist it be noticed.”

His quiet chuckle raised the hair on the back of her neck. “Trust my dear Sybil to notice and approve. Your brother deserves a great deal of praise for his work in fetching you home. Whether it turns out as you’ve seen or whether we can find another way, I am glad to see you, finally.”

“I know I shouldn’t be, I should be more wary of you, but finding out I have a family that wanted me, even if they’re dangerous and eerie… there’s something comforting about it. A part of me likes you despite what you’re going to do.”

“Truly?” Dara’s indulgent smile had returned.

“Truly.”

“The questions you want to ask me are about your roots. Family history and what kind of witches we are?”

“Yes.” She tried to read his face, something had changed and while it looked pleasant, it also looked more like a mask than a natural expression.

“Tell me first, when did you learn you were a witch?”

“I was fifteen. I was at a psychic fair with my foster mother and brother.”

“Foster?”

“The courts took me away from my mother. One of the best days of my life was when they said I didn’t have to speak to her again.”

“She wasn’t a witch?”

“No. I didn’t know witches were even a real thing until I met the one at the fair.”

“Fifteen is so late to begin learning, and not to know what you are…”

“Most of what I know I learned from normal people, I’m not very fond of witches. I can’t stand to be around them.”

“What could normal people, ordinaries, possibly teach you? You’re a Sibyl.” His smile was wistful.

“How to clear spaces around me with salt and smoke. How to make a room quiet with crystals.” She touched an onyx bead. “I’m very fond of crystals. They gave me the first bit of quiet I ever had.”

“Some sort of placebo effect.” Dara glanced out of the window with a frown.

“No, Father. She uses them like you taught me to use spells. It’s raw power.” Farrin wanted him to be impressed with her. 

“Crystals are ordinary foolishness.” Dara looked at them both with annoyance.

“You favor diamonds and you don’t even know why. The King of gems, cold but fiery, they amplify any energy you give them positive or negative. I don’t wear them, they make things louder for me, clearer. I don’t like it.” Genevieve saw the spark of interest in his eyes. “Gold settings, worn on the left, you feel best when you wear them.”

“How curious. The properties of the stones must be so slight…”

“Not if you reach for them.” She smiled at the thrill of recognition from Farrin of Dara’s approval.

“What stone do you favor, Sybil?” The older man was slipping back into his sharp smile. He wanted to see what he could learn about her.

“I favor black stones. Black sapphire in particular but most of the black stones have protective qualities.”

“You crave protection from the press of energy and voices of people around you. You should have been taught from the beginning how to focus and shut them out. The damage of so many years unprotected will have limited your ability to control your gifts as much as your brother, even if you have a vaster reservoir of power at your command.”

“We were made to support and complement each other. What I lack he has, what he lacks I have.”

“You’re very open, Sybil my dear. That’s dangerous.” He offered her a reassuring smile.

“I’m aware. You prefer not to be open at all, I can respect that, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t disappointing.” Genevieve settled back against Farrin.

“I haven’t seen that look since my mother died.” Dara’s eyes warmed slightly. “You remind me of her. She was open and warm, and deeply disappointed in me for being the way I am.”

“I find it difficult to believe you were a disappointment, your actions might have been, but not you.” The ripples of disbelief and delight that came off of Dara before he clamped down on his emotions made her smile again. “You felt like a father for a moment. It was nice.”

“I loved my mother, and I do love my two beautiful children. But I expect a great deal of you both. I have such plans for you.”