8.3 Shadows and Cages

When I finally emerged from the police station, my family was waiting for me outside, at the bottom of the steps.

"How'd it go?" Jeff looked more worried than anyone.

"Well, I'm officially not a suspect--" Everyone sighed in relief. "But they think I know who did it."

Mom was alarmed. "Do you?"

I sighed, remembering something Dark Dorian had admitted while I was trapped in the painting...

I have made terrible mistakes, Amelia. You'll never forgive me...

"Yeah." I nodded. "I didn't tell the police because they already know."

My family was crestfallen.

"What sort of crowd have you fallen into, Amelia?" Mom shook her head in disbelief. "You have to be better than this!"

"And she is," said Jeff. "But she can't prove it if we don't let her, Denise." He rummaged in his jacket pocket, removing something and placing it in my hand. "Found these."

I looked down at my keys, sniffing back tears. He had even added the key to the family manor back to the ring. I gave a shaky exhale. Even after the pain I had caused, and all the stupid, reckless things I had done, he still trust me.

"Jeffrey Jason Foley!" Mom was livid enough to stamp her Louboutin heel on the pavement. "She just got back! You want her taking off again? What are you thinking?"

"That she's not a bird in a cage. She's our daughter." He reached out, wiping the tears from my face. "Everyday you were gone I told myself if I ever got the chance to see you again that I would do things differently. So I am."

How wrong I had been, and so utterly selfish. Jeff had cared about me all along. I was just too stubborn to let myself see it. I walked into his hug, melting as he wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, Amelia."

I pulled up to the beach house, tires screeching, then shut down the engine in haste, leaving the keys swinging in the ignition. I didn't even bother to close the door as I ran across the lawn, up the porch steps to the front door, praying I wasn't too late.

"Dorian? Dorian!" I rang the bell over and over, banging my fist on the door. "It's me! Are you there?" When that didn't work, I hurried to the window, trying to peer through the blinds inside, but it was no use. He was gone. Hands on top of my head, I stared forlornly up at the lonely, empty house, wondering how long he'd be gone. Or if Detective Begay had already got to him...

"Amelia?"

I turned. Dorian stood at the bottom of the steps, two paper bags of groceries in his hands. He dropped the bags as soon and I ran, right down the steps straight into his arms.

"It's you, it's really you." He picked me up and spun me around, hugging me close.

I laughed and touched his face, crying at the same time. "You have a beard now."

"And you're still as beautiful as the day you left." He exhaled in relief. "I told you not to go with him."

"I know, I'm sorry. I chased a rabbit through the looking glass."

Laughing, he kissed me, then swept me off my feet and carried me to his bedroom.

As soon as I entered the Sunset, Vanida hugged me so tightly I couldn't breathe.

"Asshole!" she signed, then punched me in the shoulder. "Six months! We looked everywhere for you! Do you know how many paintings we searched? What happened to you?"

"Long story," I signed back. "I'll tell you everything."

Vanida, Dorian, and I took a seat at our normal booth. Driselle brought a round of scones, asked if I was okay, then chided me for being away for so long. After she left, I finally told my two closest friends everything that had happened...

"And then, when I finally got back, that's when Detective Begay told me about the Talisman--how Danny's grandmother died in the fire." I reached out and squeezed my friend's hand. "I'm so sorry, Van. I know you were just as close to her as Danny was."

"Danny's changed," she signed back, Van's broken heart reflected in her face. "I thought it was because of the fire, but I'm starting to realize I never knew the real him. I know he's keeping secrets, which sucks, because I thought we told each other everything." She looked down, tapping her coffee mug as she bit her lip. "We broke up."

Dorian and I exchanged heavy glances.

"If there's one thing I know for sure about Daniel Begay," signed Dorian, "it's that he loves you."

Vanida managed the tiniest of smiles. "I wish that were enough."

"Van, do you know where we can find Danny?" I signed. "His brother is looking for both Dorians. I think he's going to do something terrible."

Vanida frowned. "Elijah? What does Daniel's brother have to do with this?"

"He thinks Dorian started the fire," I signed back. "I think he did too."

Vanida rolled her eyes. "So of course you want to save him."

"No. I'm going to punish him--the right way. No one else has to die." Thanks to Danny's grandmother, I finally had a plan.

Vanida dragged her fingers through her pink locks, then raised her hands in confusion. "It's been six months. If Elijah knew who killed Danny's grandmother, why wait till now to do something about it?"

"Dark Dorian trapped Opal in a painting once--he did the same to you. Maybe after Amelia disappeared, he assumed my demon side had trapped Amelia in a painting as well. So if Elijah killed us--"

"Then Amelia might never have come back," signed Van. She exhaled. "That was one bullet dodged."

"We still have plenty aimed our way," I said. "I'm not trapped in a painting anymore. Both Dorians are officially fair game..."

Outside the diner, before we broke paths and returned to our separate vehicles, Vanida to hers, Dorian and I to mine, Van stopped me one last time.

"You know something about Danny--I can feel it," she signed. "I told you where you can find him and his brother. Now be a good friend and tell me the truth."

I looked to Dorian. He nodded back.

"I'll wait in the car," he said.

I sighed. This wasn't my truth to tell, but I had to reveal it. "You're right, V. I have been keeping something from you. Danny said he would tell you himself, but he's had six months."

"Longer," Van replied. "I'm ready."

"Okay... Danny's a supernatural. Him, his brother, his grandparents, his whole family--they're all shapeshifters..."

"What can you tell me about Dorian Gray?"

"I can tell you everything," I replied, glaring back at Detective Begay. "But I'm not going to."

He gave a dark chuckle, leaning back in his seat as he rubbed his stubbled chin. "Danny said you were strong-willed. But he never called you smart. I see why."

"As much as I'd like to stick around and trade insults, I have better things to do. So, if you're not going to arrest me..."

Detective Begay rose so quickly he knocked his seat over. He towered over me, the brown in his eyes now rings of gold as behind him, his shadow sprouted eagle wings that spread across the wall.

"I may not have enough evidence to charge your demon-friend," he replied, palms flat on the table top as he leaned forward with a sneer. "But Daniel told me enough. Dorian Gray will pay for what he's done. I'll make sure of it..."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I signed, one last time, as Vanida, Dorian, and I stepped from my car.

Van nodded. "You asked me once what I would do if there was someone in my life who was like Dorian. I thought I understood, but I was wrong. If you can face this, so can I."

I smiled. "Let's go."

We were walking into the lion's den. Ahead, the lights of the Fairway shined bright beneath the full moon. As we left the parking lot, strolling up the lawn towards the main entrance, something small and shiny cut across our path, halting us in our tracks. To my right, embedded in a tree, a lethal throwing star gleamed silver as the moon.

Opal strolled into view, her slinky curves contained in a tight leather jumpsuit. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

I grinned. "Hello to you too, Opal. I heard you missed me."

She scowled. "Not even a little."

"I'll bet."

"What is she doing here?" signed Van.

"What did she say?" said Opal, arms folded across her chest. "Is she talking about me? I know she's talking about me. I don't like it when people talk about me!"

"She wants to know what you're doing here," said Dorian.

Opal rolled her eyes. "My job? Ello? I'm a hunter--no? Someone needs to make sure the monsters stay in their lane. And do you know what they are up to right this very moment? Elijah and Daniel Begay are stirring up a whole crowd of supernaturals against that one." She pointed at Dorian. "Step one foot inside the Fairway and they will take his head. You want my advice? Go home, and hide."

"No." Dorian shook his head. "As much as you're tired of chasing me, I'm tired of running."

"Idiot! They will kill you!"

"Then help us," I said, stepping forward in earnest. "Maybe you're right, maybe we can't stop a building full of supernaturals. But we have to do more than run and hide."

"Bon sang. I know I am going to regret this." Opal unsheathed the double swords at her back, swinging them in tandem. "After me."

Together, we set off across the lawn, ready for the battle ahead.

Only two more chapters until the finale! Thank you so much to those of you who have read this far and are enjoying the story! Your support means everything to me! 🐦👥🌑