Rhonda fell silent.

  “Rhonda…” Jasmine stated, placing a hand on her shoulder.

  Rhonda jerked away. “Fine. Suppose that you’re right.”

  Jasmine lowered her gaze to her feet. “Look, I know that what happened in those woods affected you. Hell, they affected me, too. How could they not? But we can talk this through. I want to help you, Rhonda. Open up to me. Trust me. Whatever you have to say, I can take it.”

  Rhonda’s face hardened. She mumbled, “I doubt it.”

  Jasmine gave an understanding nod. “If you prefer, I can get someone else to talk to you. You need some way to open up about all of this. Otherwise, it’s going to eat you alive. We can have Eddy or Delilah, or maybe even get a professional to talk to you.”

  Rhonda opened her mouth to protest.

  “Whatever needs to be said must be said,” Jasmine continued. “Trust me. As someone who has held their fair share of secrets—” a twinge of guilt struck Jasmine as she thought of her recent encounter with the Queen. “—the lies and the hiding will eat you alive.”

  She placed her hand on Rhonda’s shoulder again, and this time she did not pull away. “I love you, Rhonda. I want to help you. We were good once. There’s a chance we could be again.”

  Rhonda lost herself in her thoughts, a kaleidoscope of emotion passing silently behind her eyes. She battled internally, words struggling to form until her face eventually hardened, and she looked at Jasmine, frowning. When she spoke, her voice was low and accusing. “I should never have been there.”

  Jasmine held her gaze, waiting to see if Rhonda had more to say.

  “No,” Jasmine replied at last. “You shouldn’t have. What you saw on that night…”

  “I watched a man die,” Rhonda barked back at Jasmine, the floodgates opening. “I was taken hostage by a crazed necromancer with powers to induce temporary death on me and forced into a forest where I had no idea what was going on.” The tears came so thick and fast that Jasmine struggled to understand at times. “It was horrible, Jasmine. It was horrible. I was lost in darkness, falling through a black void. I didn’t know what was going on, where I was…And then to wake, and there was so much blood. So much fighting and death. And…and…Eli…He was good, Jasmine. He helped me escape, and that’s something I can never thank him for or ever show him what that meant, because he’s dead. His stomach…Oh, his stomach…it was…it was…”

  Rhonda lost herself in tears, her body collapsing under the pain that had been stored inside for so many weeks. Jasmine shifted closer until their hips were touching and let Rhonda fold into her lap, body shaking with sobs. She held her, rocking her gently, soothing the young girl, not saying a word. She knew that words would do nothing at this point.

  As they sat on the rooftop, birds flew overhead, and the wind chilled their skin. Somewhere nearby, people could be heard talking, but Jasmine had no idea what they were saying. She focused on the poor girl in her lap.

  Eventually, Rhonda pulled away. She rubbed the tears from her face, leaving pink splotches behind, then she straightened herself and took long breaths. When she spoke, the words were soft, almost inaudible. “Whenever I see you, I remember that night. When I’m with Tommy and Eddy, it’s fine. I can forget. They weren’t there. But the moment I see you…” Her lip wobbled. “The moment I see you, I see him. I don’t know how to fix that.”

  Jasmine nodded and turned her gaze to the skyline. “The truth is that we might never fix that. The truth is that you shouldn’t have been there. You never should have been put in that situation, and please believe me when I say I had no idea that that was even a possibility that could happen.” She lowered her gaze to the floor, a far-off look in her eye. “I never imagined my father would be capable of such monstrous things. I only have the whispers of memories from childhood, but that man that I remember would never have done anything like this. I know that you understand what it’s like to grow up without a father. It’s hard. It’s painful. We try to pretend that it isn’t, but the truth is that, without a father, we live with a permanent scar that doesn’t heal.”

  Rhonda nodded gently.

  Jasmine continued. “I never dreamed that he’d be a monster. You can’t understand my own pain at knowing that I’m the common denominator in this. Yes, I couldn’t have predicted or controlled what happened, but he’s still my father. My father is the root cause of the problems that are afflicting those I love, and it’s exhausting, Rhonda. I don’t mean to unburden myself on you, but it’s exhausting. Everywhere I go, he’s breaking my friends and family. Everywhere I turn, I can see the pain he has inflicted reflecting back in the eyes of those I love.”

  She turned to Rhonda, extending her hands. For a moment, Rhonda simply stared at Jasmine’s palms, uncertain. Finally, she took Jasmine’s hands in her own.

  “You’re right,” Jasmine confirmed. “You never should have been there. I know that there’s nothing that I can do to change what happened, but God… If I could, I would. I would trade my own life to rid you of these ghosts.” She bent down, pulling Rhonda’s gaze to hers. “Eli was a great man. He did what he did because he wanted to. It wasn’t your fault. If anyone bears any blame for any of this, it’s me and me alone. I fully understand if you hate me and we can never work past this pain, but know that I will always love you, and I am here for you as much or as little as you need it.”

  Rhonda’s eyes sparkled as she fought tears again. She bit her lip, the pain welling inside her. “I…I don’t know how to forget…”

  “I don’t know that you ever will,” Jasmine replied. “What happened is a part of you now, and you have a choice to make. Once you have fully processed the horror of it all, you can choose to let it consume you, or you can choose to let it strengthen you. My life has been full of horrors that I’d rather forget, but in a sick and twisted way, they have made me stronger for it. They have taught me what to be and how to act, and it’s because of this that I am who I am. A fighter. A warrior. A force of moral good.”

  Jasmine didn’t know who she was trying to convince with her words. She continued, drawing Rhonda’s gaze again. “I know that things may never be the same between us again. I know that we can’t just jump back to the way that things were. But…” She took a deep breath. “I’d hate to think that this would mean we couldn’t be close again one day. Or, at the very least, be civil and be able to talk. You’re an amazing young woman, and I’d hate to think that you’re broken because of me. Because you’re not. And you don’t have to be.”

  Jasmine tried to measure Rhonda’s response purely by the look in her eyes. It was impossible to tell what was going on in her mind, so Jasmine waited for a response. They sat for what could have been seconds but might have been many minutes before Rhonda replied.

  “I don’t hate you,” Rhonda stated.

  Jasmine bit back her own tears, relief threatening to overwhelm her. “Thank you.”

  Rhonda released Jasmine’s hands. “I don’t know how long it’ll take, but I want to try. Thank you for listening to me and not forcing me to accept what isn’t possible in my head.”

  “Of course,” Jasmine replied, wondering if that was how her mother, father, and auntie handled things—by forcing Rhonda to get over herself and limp on in pain.

  Rhonda rubbed the back of her hand to her eyes, getting rid of the latest stream of tears. Her stomach grumbled loudly, and when she met Jasmine’s gaze, the two of them burst into laughter.

  “Someone’s hungry,” Jasmine commented.

  Rhonda nodded. “I haven’t eaten in hours. This has all been consuming me, so I’ve had no appetite. I’m sorry for being so dramatic.”

  Jasmine threw caution to the wind and wrapped her arms around Rhonda. “You don’t have anything to apologize for. Nor were you being dramatic. I’m just glad that you’re okay and you haven’t…” She didn’t want to say, been kidnapped.

  Rhonda relaxed in Jasmine’s arms. They stayed a long while on the rooftop until Rhonda’s stomach growled loudly once more. They broke into laughter again.

  “Come on,” Jasmine stated. “Let’s get some world-famous Ivan grub in your stomach.”

  Rhonda allowed Jasmine to help her to her feet, and as they walked to the fire escape, Jasmine added, “Eddy will be glad to see you, too. They’ve both been worried sick about you.”

  “I’m sorry,” Rhonda declared, the weight of her running away now bearing on her shoulders. “Do they hate me?”

  Jasmine offered a reassuring smile. “Come on, Rhonda. Who could ever hate you?”

  They climbed down the escape and toward Jasmine’s SUV. Rhonda fell into her own thoughts as she stared at the blurring city out the window. Jasmine thought she knew what Rhoda was worried about, that she would return and Eddy and Ivan would reprimand her for her misdemeanor. She was hesitant to enter the Nest, but the moment the warmth hit them, and Eddy saw Rhonda’s tear-stained face, he sprinted to her and wrapped her in his arms.

  They both cried, Eddy’s tears dampening Rhonda’s shoulders, her tears dampening his shirt. Ivan disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the three of them in the quiet of the bar. For a long time, no one spoke.

  When Eddy finally pulled away, he offered a thanks to Jasmine and guided them to a nearby table. Jasmine was right. Eddy didn’t admonish Rhonda. He was just happy to have her home and safe. Jasmine filled Eddy in on as much as she dared, careful to keep the privacy of their rooftop conversation to herself. Eddy made a joke of the fact Rhonda was sneaky and how he had missed her on his own search. Everybody laughed at that, and much of the tension was dispelled.

  “Would you mind fetching Tommy?” Eddy asked Jasmine, explaining that the young boy had been asleep in one of the spare rooms upstairs while the search ensued. Jasmine looked at Rhonda for confirmation before disappearing upstairs.

  All was quiet, apart from the creaking floorboards. Jasmine opened the door and found Tommy in the darkness, mouth agape, snores filling the room. She sat on the edge of his bed and gently rocked his shoulders. “Tommy…”

  Before she could finish her sentence, Tommy sat bolt upright. He looked wildly around, momentarily afraid of the pale-faced figure on his bed until he identified Jasmine. He breathed a sigh of relief, swimming through the emotions until hope dawned on his face and he asked, “Is she here?”

  Jasmine smiled. “She is.”

  Tommy tore down the stairs, leaving Jasmine behind. She chuckled and rubbed her eyes. The temptation to stay in bed and let herself sleep was great, but something else drew her back downstairs—the smell of cooked food.

  She followed shortly after, finding Tommy holding Rhonda’s hand and barraging her with question after question without waiting for a response. Rhonda looked at Eddy for help. Eddy placed a hand on Tommy’s shoulder to distract him.

  Jasmine sat beside Eddy, noting that in the brief time she had been upstairs, the table had been decorated and laid with mats, cutlery, and glasses of drink.

  Seriously, how does Ivan do this?

  Jasmine’s mouth watered. Rhonda’s stomach rumbled, but Tommy was talking too loudly for anyone else to notice. Eddy exchanged an appreciative glance with Jasmine as Ivan opened the kitchen door and unleashed a wave of delicious smells toward them.

  “Who’s hungry?” Ivan asked.

  All hands shot in the air. Smiles fixed on their faces. Eddy forced the two children to wait until Ivan had served all of the food bowls, steam ribboning from the top, smells driving them wild and making them salivate. When Ivan finally joined them, he raised a glass and declared, “K sem’ye.”

  They looked at each other, perplexed, but raised their own glasses.

  “K sem’ye,” they chorused.

  Jasmine tucked greedily into her food, all thoughts of anything else removed as her mouth exploded in delight and flavor. She scooped in mouthful after mouthful, exploring the acids, the alkalis, the sweets, and the sours of the various dishes of food, knowing that soon her taste buds would be muted for another month. She piled on gravy and decorated her food in sauces and spices, and drank alcohol and juice.

  After a short while, Eddy, Tommy, Rhonda, and Ivan patted their heaving stomachs and watched Jasmine in wonder. She finished their plates, feeling the revitalizing energy from food making its way through her body. They laughed and joked, and Jasmine made a show of it, pretending she was full before she polished off another plate.

  She dragged a piece of warm bread along the juices remaining on her plate, then threw it in her mouth. She fought back tears, at first wondering what it was she was feeling, overwhelmed with sensation and delight. It was only after seeing Tommy and Rhonda and Eddy joking with each other and seeing Ivan working to clear the plates that she realized the emotion was simple joy. This was her family, these amazing humans—and half-fairy—with her here and now. She didn’t need a father or a mother now, so long as she had these people in her life. She smiled, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

  Tommy found Jasmine’s gaze and frowned. “Are you okay, Jasmine?”

  Jasmine nodded, the smile aching. “I am.”

  Eddy seemed to understand Jasmine’s emotions. His own eyes sparkled.

  When Ivan returned for another round of clearing dishes, Jasmine gently grabbed his wrist. “Ivan, why don’t you leave these for us to clean up?”

  Ivan looked at Jasmine as though she had thrown shit in his eyes. “Because it is my nature. It is my duty.”

  Jasmine held up her hands placatingly. “Okay, I was only trying to help.”

  The others snickered behind their hands.

  Before Ivan disappeared back into the kitchen, Jasmine called after him, unable to quiet her own curiosity. “Ivan?”

  “Da?” he replied.

  “What does ‘K sem’ye’ mean?” Jasmine awaited the reply with bated breath.

  Ivan’s cheeks creased from the smile hidden beneath his mustache. “To family.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  The next few days were a blur to Jasmine.

  For the majority of their time, Eddy, Tommy, Rhonda, Jasmine, and Ivan remained at the Nest. After Rhonda ran away, Eddy was more watchful than ever, and he allowed the two to take a couple of days off school, telling the school that the children were sick.

  They spent hours in the bar, talking across the table or playing board games. Tommy occasionally pulled out his video game console until Eddy deemed he’d had enough. Rhonda was more talkative, and though she was a little hesitant still to Jasmine, their dynamic had shifted. As much as Jasmine disliked the pain and worry inflicted upon herself and Eddy in Rhonda’s absence, she understood it needed to happen to begin their process of healing.

  For those few days, Jasmine allowed herself some time to forget the bigger world picture, knowing she could do nothing until she heard from Qadir. With each passing day, her worry at his silence grew ever so slightly, but she had to admit that she was thankful for this time. Given the nature of all that was to come, she didn’t know when she’d be back and if these moments would ever happen again. While she could, Jasmine held onto family.

  “Toast again, Ivan?” Eddy complained with a smirk.

  Ivan rolled his eyes.

  Eddy waved a hand. “Just kidding, you always know exactly what I fancy. Have you got the…”

  Ivan placed down a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jelly.

  Eddy laughed. “You’re a diamond.”

  Jasmine sat next to Tommy, watching him play the latest Super Mario Bros on his Switch. His fingers expertly navigated the buttons, helping the little Italian plumber face the many cartoon obstacles on the screen. She was impressed by his dexterity, having seen how hard he had struggled to begin with.

  The door to the Nest opened. Jasmine glanced up, used to seeing patrons making their way inside. When she saw Qadir’s face, the illusion bubble she had built for herself over the last few days popped in an instant. He must have sensed this on her face because as he approached, he wore a note of remorse in his eyes.

  “Qadir!” Eddy bellowed. “Always a pleasure.”

  “Likewise,” Qadir replied without substance. “Jasmine, we need to talk.”

  Jasmine glanced at Tommy, then stood from her chair. “You don’t beat about the bush, do you?”

  “Time is of the utmost,” Qadir replied. “Need I remind you of the circumstances?”

  Jasmine led Qadir to a quiet table at the side of the room. From here, she longingly stared at her family, wishing that this wasn’t the way things had to be, but knowing she had no other option. “What have you got for me?”

  “The Vrolocks are ready to receive us,” Qadir informed Jasmine. “I have had my allies working their charm for days, and I have organized a meeting. You are to accompany me tonight.”

  “Wow, so bossy,” Jasmine replied. “Maybe you should try some of that famous charm on me, try to convince me rather than ordering me around.”

  She realized straight away that her humor was unappreciated by Qadir. She stared into his dark eyes, wondering once more how things could have been different. The events of last year had hardened Qadir into something almost unrecognizable. Was there a way that he could ever be brought back to his old self, or was this a permanent change, the world grinding him down and shaping him into this?

  “Our meeting is across town, on the northern borders. I will collect you tonight,” Qadir informed her. “You will be ready to go, and I would recommend avoiding the humor. These are old-world supernaturals, unused to contemporary mirth.”

  “Understood,” Jasmine replied. She glanced over to Rhonda and Tommy. “Are you going to stop and stay for a drink, at least?”

  “I cannot,” Qadir returned. “My focus is on the prevention of your father’s agenda.” He rose to his feet. “My suggestion is that yours be the same.”

  He left without another word, Jasmine watching until Qadir had disappeared through the doors. She knew he was right. There was nothing else for it, and ignoring all the problems wouldn’t solve anything. They would only get worse.

  She waited a few moments, lost in thought, then rejoined the others, knowing that things were only going to ramp up from here.