Deciding to make Shepherd’s Pie, I began by scrubbing the potatoes. I sat at the breakfast bar and relaxed as I began to peel them. It was an ordinary and soothing task.
About an hour later, I was removing the casserole from the oven when the banshee from earlier entered.
“Hey, that smells good. What is that?” he said while leaning over my back to inhale deeply.
“Um, you mind backing up a little?”
“Oh, sorry! I’ve never smelled anything that good in years. I lost myself for a sec.”
His smile could melt your knees.
“It’s no worries. Who are you?”
“I’m Philip, but you can call me Flip.”
“Nice to meet you, Flip. I am Qadira but call me Kadi.” I took off the oven mitts and held out my hand to him.
“Oh, I know who you are. I joined the clan a couple of years ago. I’ve heard about you, but I imagined you all wrong.”
“Thanks?”
“You’re welcome. I meant it as a compliment. You’re way more petite than I imagined, and a hell of a lot hotter.”
“Again, thanks?”
“I sound like a chauvinistic moron, don’t I?” He looked at his feet.
The action was so endearing that I let out a laugh. “Yeah, maybe a little, but it’s cool. I think I know what you’re trying to say… Though I am not sure what is said about me.”
“It’s all good stuff. Basically, you’ve got the skills of someone much older than you.”
“Ian, and Bryce before him, trained me well. They don’t take it easy on anyone, including — or maybe especially — a half-mortal.”
“Yeah, maybe that’s it.” He was leaning his back against the counter smiling at me with that smile and I could feel my cheeks getting flushed. “Want to grab dinner or catch a movie sometime?”
His abrupt change of subject caught me off guard. I took a moment to let it sink in and think it through. First on the list was that Ian had told me he needed time to figure “us” out. We never said we won’t see other people in the meantime. Technically, I could date whoever I wanted. But… Did I want to? No. No, I did not.
“Um, that sounds nice, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Okay. What about just a cup of coffee?”
“No. It’s nothing against you. I… It’s… It’s complicated.”
“Okay, no problem. Never hurts to try. Well, not too much.” He winked at me.
Wanting to change the subject and because I am always curious how some banshees get their nicknames, I asked, “So, why Flip?” His lighthearted expression turned to one of sorrow. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
He gave me a watery smile and shook his head. “It’s okay. As I said my name is Philip, but my little sister couldn’t pronounce it. It always came out ‘Flip’. It stuck.”
“Oh, that’s adorable! Are you still close with her?”
“I wish. I used to run with Gabriel, before he became what he is now. We were just kids having fun, but then he started to hurt people. That’s when I decided I needed to move on. When I left, he killed my family. I found their remains. The teddy bear I had given my sister was laying in the middle of hers.”
His story was so devastating, it took my breath away. Not knowing how else to respond, I wrapped my arms around him and held him.
I heard a noise behind me, and I turned to find Ian standing at the foot of the stairs.
“Do not let me interrupt. Just passing through.”
“Ian, wait.” I stepped away from Flip to follow Ian out onto the deck.
“Ah… So, I see,” Flip said.
“Yeah… I am sorry about your sister… your family. Would you like to talk more?”
“No. Thank you though. It was a long time ago. I am okay.”
“Well, the offer stands.” I glanced to the door.
“Go after him. I’m fine.”
“Thank you,” I called as I ran after Ian.
When I reached him, I took his arm and turned him to face me. He stiffened at my touch.
“What the hell?”
“I could ask you the same, Qadira.”
“Are you jealous?”
“Jealousy is a ridiculous emotion. If you are interested in Philip, you are welcome to pursue that interest.”
“You are jealous. Listen—”
“You do not have to explain yourself. I told you I was not ready to begin our relationship.”
“Yes, you did, and I respect your decision. And while I am free to do so, I don’t want to be with anyone else. I’m willing to give you as much time as you need to realize we belong together. Until then Gabriel should be our focus.”
He pulled me to him and crushed his lips to mine.
“Finally!” I said as I wrapped my arms around him.
He chuckled.
“Can I assume this means you’re ready?”
“Yes. I was coming to speak with you. I cannot promise I will do well in a relationship, but I will do my best to make you happy. So… no one else?”
“None. Flip asked me out, I said no. I was only hugging him because I had brought up his nickname, he told me where he got it… about is his sister.”
“You were comforting him.”
“Yes, and if we are going to be together, you will have to get used to me having other males in my life.”
He lowered his lips to mine. “As long as I am the only one who can do that.”
“Back at ya.”
“Agreed.”
“So how did it go with the mortals? What was the issue Flip mentioned?”
“They tortured those people within an inch of their lives. Two of the women had been too injured to survive much longer. They had extensive internal injuries. I took care of them the best I could.”
“You did the right thing by ending their suffering. You are a great man, Ian MacBeaghne.” I rose to my toes and kissed him.
“Ah, so I am no longer a bastard?”
“Oh, you’re still a bastard. You’re just a great one.”
********
When I returned to the house, I brought the mortals their lunch. I hadn’t been able to check on the mortals, what with being mostly dead for a day or so myself. I was pleasantly surprised to see they were doing so well.
The woman from the pedestal was sitting in the back of the room by herself. Her long strawberry-blond hair was no longer matted and tangled. Instead, it was shiny and straight, falling just past her waist. The wounds she had endured marked her bronzed skin. Her dark blue eyes were wary when they met my gaze.
I was drawn to her. She placed the book she was reading on the table beside her as I approached.
“Hi, I’m Kadi, I make the meals around here, so if there’s anything you’d prefer or don’t like please let me know.” She just stared at me. “Uh, is there anything I can do for you?”
Her gaze narrowed, and she tilted her head to the side. “You’re not like them, but you’re not human either.”
“Heh?” I knew what she may be referring to, but they had wiped her memory. How could she know anything about ‘them’?