Page 27 of A Silenced Midlife

"Halfway there," he replied.

We reached the eastmost point of the island, our shadows stretching long and thin in the fading light. The breeze was stronger here, carrying the salty tang of the sea with it.

"Here we are," Lucifer announced, looking around as if to orient himself with the stars that were just beginning to twinkle into existence.

"Let's get this done before the tide comes in," I said.

"Agreed." Dad nodded. We stood side by side, our voices joining together to recite the words written on the paper. As we spoke, a ripple seemed to pass through the air around us, and for a moment, everything felt still, suspended.

"Okay, that's three," I said, folding the parchment carefully and tucking it away. "One more to go."

"Westward," he said, his tone businesslike, though the corner of his mouth twitched in what could have been the start of a smile.

Night had fully descended on us as we stepped through the portal, the only light coming from the moon overhead.

"Last one," I said, a hint of weariness creeping into my tone.

"Then you can rest," he assured me.

Once more, we recited the incantation, our voices firm despite the fatigue that clung to me like a second skin. When the final word left my lips, there was a sense of completion, a quiet certainty that what we'd set out to do was accomplished.

"Done," Lucifer said, and even in the dim light, I could see the satisfaction in his gaze.

"Yeah but it took all evening," I sighed, but there was relief in it. "Let's head back."

One more portal dropped us in the living room. The house was quiet, save for the soft murmurs that led us to the kitchen. Sam was there, rubbing sleep from his eyes, a mug of something in his hand. Probably blood laced with a bit of coffee. Phira leaned against the counter, her hair shimmering under the fluorescent light.

"Sammie?" I whispered.

"Sleeping," Phira replied with a gentle smile. "I just tucked him in."

Nodding, I padded softly to Sammie’s room, the need to see him pressing on my chest. He lay there, so peaceful, his chest rising and falling with each breath. For a moment, I simply watched, allowing the sight of him to ease the weariness from my bones. I bent down, pressing a light kiss to his temple, his warmth seeping into my skin. "Sweet dreams, little man," I whispered.

Returning to the kitchen, I found Sam leaning against the door frame, watching me with those deep blue eyes that always seemed to know what I was feeling.

"Hey," he said.

"Hey," I echoed, closing the distance between us. We wrapped our arms around each other, the day's tension melting away in the comfort of our embrace.

"Rough night?" he murmured, his lips brushing against my hair.

"Longer than expected," I admitted. "But it's done."

"Good work," he said, squeezing me tighter.

"Thanks." I pulled back slightly, meeting his gaze. "You're off to the bar?"

"Yeah, they need me tonight." He sounded apologetic, but I offered him a reassuring smile.

"Go. They're lucky to have you."

He kissed me softly, a brief touch of lips that promised more when time allowed. "Love you."

"Love you too." He headed to the portal we kept in the pantry that led straight to the bar.

Exhaustion overtook me then, pulling me upstairs and toward our bed. The sheets were cool against my skin as I slipped beneath them, the world fading away as sleep claimed me.

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