Page 56 of Chasing the Flame
In a flash Jettson and Elliot are carrying in the lunch spread Lucy prepared. It smells heavenly.
I sneak a peek under the foil, and the aroma of homemade hot ham and cheese permeates the air. Taking a further look, I notice a selection of veggies and fruits. There’s also Lucy’s signature mac and cheese, and even a hash brown casserole.
My stomach grumbles, and I’m happy to see everyone helping themselves because I don’t think I could’ve waited very long.
The first bite is absolute bliss, with a perfect blend of sharp cheddar and Swiss cheese. I bite the inside of my cheek to hold back a groan, it’s that fucking good.
I don’t know what this woman puts in her food, but I swear I’m starting to think it’s crack. It should be a crime to be this talented. Especially with something as simple as hot ham and cheese sandwiches.
Once everyone has had their fill, Jettson clears his throat, and I take a swig of the sweet tea Lucy puts in front of me.
“Lucy, hon’… I need you to go wait in the car,” Elliot says, weaving a hand through his hair.
Lucy gapes at him, her eyes narrowing. “You have done lost your mind, if you think for a single fucking second that I’m leaving this girl alone. You’ve got that look in your eye, like you’re about to drop a bomb. So no, I’m not fucking going anywhere.”
Lucy looks pissed. I swivel my head in Elliot’s direction, noting his clenched jaw and white knuckled hands. Damn, this isn’t going to be good.
“Dad, just… say it. We don’t have time for this.” Jettson is clearly exasperated, like he’s itching to say more but won’t risk directing us even further off course.
Elliot grits his teeth but nods, “The meeting with Donald and Luke went about as well as could be expected. Neither of them would budge on what the covenant has been up to since I stepped down.”
Jettson laughs harshly, the sound jarring and unlike him. “Yeah, figured as much. I still feel like you’re holding back. There’s something that you’re not telling us and I’d like to know why. We need to know, Dad.”
Lucy is squirming in her seat, eyes wide and her lips tightly pursed together. She looks like she’s itching to say something, but doesn’t even know where to begin.
Same, sister.
Elliot is avoiding Jettson’s gaze, his jaw clenched, his posture equally rigid. I wring my hands in my lap, my stomach churning in anticipation.
“Jett…”
“No, Dad! Don’t you dare. She deserves to know whatever the fuck it is you’re keeping from us,” Jettson seethes, his breathing labored. He looks like he’s about to combust.
Elliot seems to have aged in minutes, like the weight of what he’s hiding has been a horrible burden to bear. My heart aches for him, but I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t internally screaming at him to hurry.
I need answers.
“Ignivara,” Elliot says, staring straight at me.
It echoes, sharp and searing—like flame forged with a single word. Something cracks and shifts inside me. Something about that word pokes and prods at my subconscious, like a whisper of a memory. It feels familiar, yet elusive. Like I can’t quite grab onto the full thought.
Jettson’s eyes widen, and he looks at me as though he’s seeing me for the first time. “Are you sure?” His voice is barely a whisper, like he’s in disbelief.
“Thessarie is her mother, Jett. I’m a thousand percent sure.”
My mouth drops, my stomach twisting uncomfortably. Jettson swears, jumping up from the small kitchen table and paces the room. “M-my Mom’s name is Kathryn. I think… that can’t be right, can it?”
Elliot gives me a sad smile and shakes his head yes. “Sorry kiddo, but your mom isn’t who she told you she is. Tess was always such a vibrant and talented witch. It’s no surprise she claimed the attention of some powerful players. Mark Shadebriar, to be specific. A fucking monster of a warlock. When Mark claimed she passed away, and the baby died too, well. I always suspected she spirited herself into the night and never looked back. Or hoped, I guess I should say… and now here you are, living proof that she did.”
The ringing in my ears reaches a crescendo, blocking out everything else. I can’t think, can’t seem to breathe. The pain in my chest is so sharp—sodeepthat I don’t think I’ll recover from the betrayal. Why would she lie?
I lock eyes with Lucy, who looks like she’s ready to bolt. The feeling is entirely mutual. “Does anyone want to explain what the fuck is going on?!” Lucy shrieks, her voice rising an octave with each word.
It’s the distraction I needed, laughter spilling out from me in a bout of nervous giggles. I swear I feel like I’m on an episode of Charmed. Thiscan’tbe real. It just fucking can’t.
Elliot sighs, gives Jettson a stern look that instantly shuts me up, and turns to Lucy. “Oblivio memorias.”
Lucy’s eyelids close, her jaw going slack as she slumps in the chair. My jaw drops, heart thundering as I shoot a scathing look in Elliot’s direction. “What did you do to her?!” I scream, jumping from my seat to rush to her side.
