Thirteen (Otherworld 13)

"I never--"

"Ghost, remember? I can see you even when you can't see me." She paused. "That doesn't sound good. Let me clarify that I never stick around when it goes beyond texting." She pushed a few buttons. "I wonder how many heart attacks I could cause by calling up a few folks, reminding them that they owe me favors?"

"They'd think it was Savannah."

"Damn."

"Back to the topic at hand," I said. "We can't rest--at least not for long. That's what Mom was about to say before she got distracted by the shiny twenty-first-century technology."

"Oh, yes, we can rest." Jaime reclined on the bed and shut her eyes. "Look, I'm doing it right now. It's so relaxing. You guys should try it more often."

"We--"

"--just escaped a bomb, incarceration, a werewolf, a hell-beast, a sorcerer, and Eve's really sharp sword. We have earned a break. Or I have. You guys can play along."

"We need--"

"Does it involve running? Fighting? Slaying? Uh-uh. Not for the next"--she checked the bedside clock--"six hours."

"One."

"Five."

"One."

My mother laughed.

Jaime glowered at her. "You think that's funny. Of course, you do. You raised her." She turned to me. "Four and a half."

"Two."

"Fine. Two hours. During which time we will do or say nothing--"

"We need to discuss what happened and plan our next steps. If you want to rest instead, I'm sure a few blankets will make the bathtub very comfy."

"Fine. Talk."

We started by piecing together what happened at the police station. Or a reasonable guess, based on what we knew. Medina had been working for the Supernatural Liberation Movement, sedating supernaturals and ultimately delivering them to the laboratory, where they'd become guinea pigs for the vaccine. Then sorcerer dude inserts himself into the equation. Either he wriggles his way into SLAM or he takes out Medina's usual drug supplier. He gives her drugs that will agitate the supernaturals in custody, making them everything from ill to crazy to psychotic.

Why? Well, that was the first of many questions. He hadn't seemed surprised by the reactions to the drugs. Why would a supernatural intentionally cause a scene that risked humans discovering our powers? Sure, that's what SLAM ultimately wanted, but this wasn't the kind of "reveal" that made us look like peaceful and productive members of society.

Whatever the reason, he gives Medina the drugs. Then she picks us up following a call from SLAM. He finds out. And he decides this would be a really, really good time to try that new spell he's been working on. Use Jaime and me to lure my mother, then conjure her into the world of the living.

Why?

"An angel is always handy," Jaime said. "Even in a fight between demons. Especially if you're also half-demon yourself. Eve gets hit up by more influence peddlers than any politician."

"I can see that," I said. "With Balaam leading the pro-reveal side, even I'm useful. He made a personal appearance a few days ago." I turned to Mom. "Turns out the reveal movement is harboring a couple of his lackeys. A real nice brother-sister duo named Sierra and Severin. Ice half-demons with a talent for torture. Balaam had them hold me hostage so he could propose an alliance."

"That son of a bitch." Mom's sword wobbled beside her, glowing bright blue. "I heard he'd spoken to you, but taking you hostage--"

"Um, Eve?" Jaime said. "Can we hold off on threatening a lord demon? Even if he is your father?"

"So he contacted you, too?" I said. "Or tried?"

Mom hesitated.

"It's okay," I said. "I'm a big girl. I'm used to being second choice. And also being kidnapped as a way to get to you."