Amethyst Flame (Flame 2)

Becca’s sisters nodded their heads vigorously.

Since events at Loghry’s mansion, the girls had taken up residence in Shadow Territory and were working with a powerful dead-talker. The sage woman was training them to function as liaisons between the spirit world and the dead-talker community. In this way, they hoped to be of service to Five Bridges as well.

“Emma, what’s going on?” Vaughn called from the patio. “Do you need me?”

Emma extended her senses, but the situation didn’t feel dire at all. “No we’re okay.”

“Is that the doorbell?”

“Yes.”

“Should I come to you?” Vaughn was always thinking in terms of security.

“No, we’re good. Just enjoy your time with Beth. I’ll let you know if I need you.”

Emma crossed to the large entrance hall and reached for the front door. She had the oddest feeling.

When she pulled the door wide and saw Samantha and Davis standing on her front porch, she realized she wasn’t looking at two humans at all. Instead, her alter witchness recognized at once that she was staring at a warlock and a dead-talker. “Oh, my God! What have you done?” No wonder Becca and her sisters were so upset.

Despite Emma’s shock, she held the door wide, beckoning the couple to come in.

Samantha walked into the house with a fluidity of movement Emma often associated with those from the dead-talker territory of Shadow. “We’ve done the only thing that made sense to us once we learned of our daughters’ deaths.”

She closed the door, then glanced from mother to father. “You chose to take the alter serum? I can’t believe it.” She’d never been given a choice. But if she had, she would have preferred death rather than to undergo such a difficult transformation.

Each nodded solemnly. Davis took a deep breath. “We wanted to be near our girls, of course, though that’s just part of it. We knew we couldn’t continue our lives as they were in the human part of Phoenix. We wanted to be part of the healing of Five Bridges.”

Emma remained staring at each of them for a long time. Her brain refused to make sense of the extraordinary decision these two people had made.

She wished she’d known their intentions when she and Vaughn had paid them a visit following Loghry’s death. “If I’d had any hint of what you were thinking, I would have argued this decision out of you both. I’m sorry, but I’m appalled.”

Davis took Samantha’s hand. She looked at him in turn and smiled a very sad smile.

Davis met Emma’s gaze again. “We know the decision was unorthodox, and so far the girls refuse to speak to us because of it.”

Samantha glanced around. “We were hoping they might be here. Their dead-talker muse won’t help us connect with them. She’s been emphatic that it must be their decision and we respect that.”

Emma glanced toward the girls who had arranged themselves in and around the large chair Vaughn used almost exclusively in the living room. All three shook their heads in refusal.

She reverted her attention to Samantha. “Are you able to see your daughters at all?”

Samantha’s shoulders rose and fell on a sigh. She shook her head. “No. I sense their presence and that they’re very angry with us, but no, I’m unable to see or communicate with them. When you told me that you and Becca had talked to each other, I was hoping you’d be able to help.”

Emma had no framework with which to deal with this kind of situation. She had a close working relationship with the triplets, but she understood the source of their anger. “I don’t know what to tell you, Samantha, except to give them time. I’m in a state of shock myself over your choices. Ultimately, however, it will be up to your girls whether or not they draw close to you.”

She could feel movement from the other room and wasn’t surprised when the triplets slowly moved into the entrance area and lined up on either side of Emma. She also wanted to know their wishes in this situation. Becca, what do you want me to do? I can send them away, but at some point you’ll have to deal with them.

I just think it’s so sad that they did this to themselves and for what?

Emma took a moment to search for the right words. I get that they want to be with their children. But like you, I question how wise their decision was. However, they’ve already transformed and I sense they intend to work hard here in Five Bridges, just as you and your sisters are doing, to help prevent this kind of tragedy again.

Davis intruded. “Which of the girls are you communicating with?”

“Becca.”

He frowned suddenly and covered his eyes. He gripped his lips together firmly, but his shoulders started to shake.

Becca cried out telepathically, Dad, don’t. Please don’t cry.