Page 101 of Quiet
“Honey, there was only one thought in my mind when Thomas was beating me. I prayed that you would stay back and not get caught up in it. I hated with my entire heart that you were even there at all. It was something you never should have had to experience. Please understand, none of it was your fault.”
“But—”
“Really, Isa. I’m just so happy to see you safe and away from that house. I can’t imagine a better outcome for the scholarship I got for you.”
“That was you? I thought it was fishy coming out of nowhere like that. But I couldn’t pass it up.” It had been his ticket to freedom. And without it, he’d never have met Briar.
“It wasn’t much. But I needed to do something to make up for leaving you there.”
“It was everything to me.” Isa had a lot to think about now. And apparently, he still had family? Aside from his found family which he was extremely satisfied with. He leaned into Briar and nearly purred when Briar wrapped his arms around him.
Cal watched the interaction with a sly smile. “Actually, I did step foot into that house one last time before I left.”
“Are you crazy? Why would you do something like that?”
“I couldn’t leave a defenseless child alone there. I’m not a monster. Once I recovered, I broke in after everyone had gone to bed. I was planning to take you away—it sounds insane now that I think about it. I was all set to snatch you out of your bed, but I stopped when I realized how young you were.” Cal shifted anxiously. “I could barely take care of myself. I had no job, no home, and no way to take care of you. If I took you with me, I’d be condemning you to being homeless—possibly even starving. But I couldn’t just leave you there with nothing.”
Cal winced and scratched his head sheepishly. “I know this is going to sound insane, but I dabble in magic. Not much, I mostly got into it to give the finger to the family. Before I left you, I created a spell on the fly. Nothing big, I just asked the universe to bring you to someone who would love and accept you for who you were. Someone who would protect you.”
The spell that irritating fairy had alluded to. Isa and Briar exchanged incredulous glances.
Was it Isa’s imagination? Or was there something moving in the trees behind the fence? Something with a taste of starlight. Nope. Isa wasn’t going there. If Briar’s annoying cousin was stalking them, he didn’t want to know about it. Getting into a knockdown, drag out brawl with a fairy would ruin his happy family reunion. Isa was going to compartmentalize and focus on his shiny, new uncle.
“You really did put a spell on me then?”
Cal’s eyes lit up with hope. “Did it work?”
Isa didn’t even know where to begin. Maybe he should save it for another time—it would help with the compartmentalizing. He settled on saying, “You have no idea.”
Cal laughed. “Go ahead and keep your secrets. You’ve more than earned the right to them if even half of what Cedar has told me is true.” He sighed as he gazed at Isa and Briar fondly.
“I’m going to get out of your hair so you can enjoy your party, but I’d love to exchange numbers. Maybe we can talk sometime?”
“Can we exchange phone numbers? Are you kidding me? You can move in with us if you want to!” Isa looked anxiously at Briar as he realized he’d just volunteered his house to a virtual stranger.
Briar shrugged in anwhatever you want to do is fine by mesort of way.
“Be careful, Isa, I might just take you up on that. Especially ifhe’saround.” Cal gestured toward Cedar, who had stepped away to give them some space to talk. He acted like he wasn’t listening, but the panicked energy he gave off told Isa he’d heard Cal.
“What is up with everyone going after my brother?” Briar asked Isa. “He has terrible taste in art.”
“Art isn’t everything, young man,” Cal said, handing his phone to Isa.
Isa called his own phone and smiled at it when it rang, holding it up triumphantly to show it off to Briar. “I have an uncle now!”
“Jesus, you are even more adorable than I remembered. Take care of him, Briar.” Cal stepped forward and swept Isa into a hug. It was almost as nice as Briar hugs were—almost. “I love you, Isa. I always have. And I’ll always be here for you if you need me.” Cal’s voice was a bit rough now, and he had to clear his throat. He squared his shoulders and waved goodbye before walking up to Cedar, taking his arm, and asking him to show him where the bar was set up. Cedar went beet red but composed himself and led Isa’s uncle away.
“So, I did good?” Briar asked hesitantly.
“You did more than good. I think you deserve a reward.”
Briar opened a side door leading into the back part of the house and gestured Isa through. “A reward, huh?”
“Anything you want.” Isa licked his lips.
“Anything?” Briar’s eyes seemed to glow in the dim light of the hallway. He stopped Isa with a hand on his arm.
“Anything within reason,” Isa said quickly. He’d thought Briar was taking them back to their room. What was his man planning in that fascinating brain of his?
