Zaira was nursing Callie on the rocking chair. Her gaze would drop down to Callie’s face, then back to the serene forest behind her property. She kept debating whether or not she should move…Again. A new home? A new city? A new continent? Heck, a new planet perhaps?
She squeezed a little chubby foot. Her stomach turned, what would be best?
They had left the Rosses three days ago. She hadn’t heard from Hannah at all, but she’d overheard shouting from their home. Their lights had been on at irregular hours, and she had spotted Ryan storm out of the house and drive into town.
Zaira had placed her son back in her ever-bag as well as a few things she couldn’t part without. She had also made an ever-bag for Callie, stuffing it inside her own. They would be ready to flee.
Zaira’s first indication of her guest’s arrival was a soft thump on the door as the guest ran into it. Then came a knock. Zaira walked to go open the door, baby still at her breast, she only peeked outside to make sure Hannah was alone. The door was opened, Zaira moved aside and soon there was a pie on the stove.
Hannah turned to hug the demon, careful not to squish Callie.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, I was nervous, I baked too many pies. I’ll be bringing some to my knitting group.”
“I meant the hug. And thank you for not flinching. I needed that.” Zaira had not bothered putting up her human-looking glamours. She’s not sure would again, not in her own house.
“Oh,” Hannah pulled her in for another hug. “I’ll admit, I still find you creepy.” She whispered though the tone was much more light-hearted than Zaira expected. Hannah patted her back before pulling away. “But I’ll get used to it.”
“It's more than I could expect.”
Hannah gave her a short smile and turned her attention to Callie. “Hi, sweetheart.”
Callie only "ga-rumped" in reply, preferring to concentrate on her meal which had become more of a challenge since they had stood.
“Let’s go sit.” Hannah led the way into the living room.
They sat down. Hannah collapsed onto the couch as Zaira sat back down in the rocking chair. Callie relaxed as soon as they weren’t standing anymore, the only one not concerned about the situation. Zaira looked over at Hannah. She had leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She looked pale, with large bags under her eyes.
“Are you alright?”
“Oh, I‘m ok dear. It's just Ryan and I don’t normally argue that much.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It's ok dear.” Hannah's gaze swept over the boxes on the ground. Zaira had also started packing the replaceable things in case they gave her enough time to move properly. “Packing?”
“Mmm.”
“I hope you don’t go… I – I spoke to Ryan. It took a while to convince him I wasn’t crazy. Well, I’m still not sure he doesn’t think I’m crazy.” Hannah rubbed her hair, messing it up. “I’m making super tonight, for all of us. So, we can air everything out.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Zaira took a deep breath. “I suppose it has to happen.”
“Mmm.”
“I have a guest bed; do you want a nap?”
“You know what. I’ll take you up on that, dear.”
Hannah didn’t get up right away. Zaira finished feeding Callie.
Callie squealed as her mother tossed her up lightly and peppered her face with kisses. She set Callie down on the floor to play with the toys littered around the room.
“Hi, Callie.” Hannah leaned over to smile at the little girl. This time Callie smiled back and crawled towards her pseudo-grandma. “Hi sweetheart,” Hannah repeated as she picked up the baby.
Zaira snorted. “Were you waiting for her?”
“Of course, I was! That was barely a hello at the door.”
“You interrupted food time.”
Hannah laughed. “How rude of me.” She kissed Callie.
Hannah stood and headed to the staircase.
“You kidnapping her for your nap? I’m not sure how well that’s going to work. She just had one.”
“That’s alright you can come get her once we are upstairs. Which door?”
Zaira barked out a laugh. “Sure. The one right of the nursery.”
True to word, Callie was handed back to her mother in the guest bedroom so Hannah could get some sleep before supper. Callie was set back down on the floor near a couple of stuffies.
Zaira walked over to her ever-bag and triple-checked it. She would bring it during supper. She looked over to her cooing girl. There was lead in Zaira’s stomach. She wasn’t sure she wanted to bring her daughter tonight.
Zaira took out a scroll and wrote to Rushka.
Ndugu,
I’m not sure if you’ll be allowed to leave your post, but I’ve got a very important dinner in 5 hours, and I would really appreciate your presence. Or, if you or a friend of yours could watch over Callie, that would also be good.
The Rosses found out. Hannah is mediating for me, but I have a horrid feeling about the next 12 hours.
Please help,
Your sister
Zaira sealed and sent the scroll, she prayed for an answer.
None had arrived by the time Zaira knocked on the Rosses’ door. She held Callie on her hip. The claws of her free hand scratched at the skin of her palm.
“Hello dear.” Hannah had left to go back home three hours ago, looking sightly rejuvenated from her almost two-hour nap. Though now she was almost back to that earlier state. She looked Zaira up and down. “You look human again.”
“That’s because she is human, Hannah.”
Hannah’s lips pinched together. She brushed the baby’s hair with her fingers in greeting but it seemed Callie was unnerved by the tension in the air as she tucked in closer to her momma.
“Come in, come in.” The elder stepped back into the home.
Zaira quickly spotted Ryan in the hallway. He was leaning on the wall, arms crossed, and looking at his wife.
“Zaira, could you believe it? Hannah thinks you are a demon. Surely you don’t believe this.”
“Um. Well…”
“Go on,” Hannah nudged her.
Zaira dropped her human glamours. “I am.”
“Jesus Christ! What the fuck?” Ryan took a step back and his eyes went wide.
Zaira held up the hand not holding Callie. “But I don’t mean anyone harm. I swear.”
Ryan’s fists balled, his jaw clenched, and he stood straight. His eyes were cold and unwelcoming.
The demon took a step back into the doorway.
“Ryan,” Hannah moved over to him. “Remember what we talked about. She’s not a different person. And she saves people for a living!”
Ryan continued to stare at Zaira. The air was heavy. The Yulmuth was just about to leave, give him some space, when to her surprise, Ryan rolled his shoulders and attempted to shake the tension out of his body. He walked closer.
“Sorry. This will take some getting used to.” He nodded towards the dining room. “Come on, Hannah made her pot roast.”
He stood aside to let her walk in. Zaira took a step forward, and another step. When nothing happened, she followed a tensed, but happy, Hannah into to the table. Ryan fell in step beside her. They entered the room and Hannah turned to speak to them, likely about the menu, but instead, her features twisted in shock.
“Ryan, no!”
Before she knew it Zaira felt Callie being ripped from her arms. The baby immediately started wailing. Zaira’s heart sank, and her vision narrowed. This wouldn’t happen again. She growled and lashed out with her claws, but she had been caught off guard and the old veteran was still exceptionally fit. He pressed his boot against her stomach to push her away. She hit the old crystal display case which came clattering down. She moved out of its way in time to avoid being hit. Callie’s crying turned to shrieking as the crystal pieces shattered on the ground.
“Ryan, stop!”
Zaira bared her teeth and growled, her claws ready to strike again.
“What do you mean stop, we’ve got to save Callie from this monster!" Callie as she tried to wriggle out of his grasp, arms reaching out towards her mother. "What has she done to you?” Ryan brought the baby in tighter. Callie howled. Zaira waited for an opening to strike.
Calliope erupted into flames.
Ryan yelled and dropped the ball of fire that was Callie. He quickly tore off his flaming shirt and put it out on the ground. Callie hit the ground hard. She went quiet. Zaira scrambled to pick her up. She quickly glanced over the baby and let out the breath she was holding when Callie resumed crying. The flames died down and she tucked the child into her chest.
Zaira looked between the Rosses. Ryan, wide-eyed and slacked-jawed. Hannah holding her face, crying, and staring at the scene. The door wasn’t too far away but Zaira's feet felt rooted. Ryan took a step towards them.
“What is going on here?” A voice boomed. It came from every direction as a ball of light came in through the house. Rushka appeared inches in front of Zaira, facing Ryan, their wings extended, dominating the scene.
Zaira finally felt her senses return to her. She bolted out the door.
“Zaira!” Rushka yelled after her. But it was too late, she had already taken flight.