Page 27 of Rekindled Prophecy

“Oh, we’re keeping things small and simple. Only immediate family and a few friends. My folks are coming up from Georgia but will stay at my townhouse closer to the city,” Kelly stated. “Matthew’s quite larger family will drive out tomorrow afternoon.”

Nothing they relayed about the guests raised any red flags. Typical family dysfunction was all. But she would not put it past Kael to use family or friends as a weapon to inflict pain.

Kelly continued, “So, we are keeping it a small group. Only those that truly know and love us for ourselves. No co-workers or sorority sisters that I don’t keep in contact with anymore.”

“But you invited theSex and the Citygirls,” Matthew teased.

That caught Greylyn’s attention. And Kael’s apparently as he looked up with interest. “Well, I couldn’t invite one without the others. However, I’ll admit I’m glad Griffin is bringing his new girlfriend with him.” Looking over at Greylyn, she explained. “He’s been my best friend since college. My mom is still mad that we never got together romantically. But I wouldn’t wish any of my friends on him. They are simply not worthy. It’s best he’s taken already.”

With dinner over, the restaurant was starting to get more crowded as folks arrived for the musical entertainment. The guys seemed interested in staying as Matthew rocked back and forth to the music, but Kelly showed signs of fatigue. Her big, beautiful eyes could barely stay open.

Greylyn offered to see Kelly back safely to the inn. Meanwhile, the boys could indulge in a mini-bachelor party.

“Stay out of trouble,” Kelly admonished as she planted a kiss on Matthew’s cheek.

“No worries, babe. Just a few beers with the big guy here.”

Kael chimed in, “I promise to keep him out of trouble. No bachelor party shenanigans.” He had the audacity to cross his heart and point upwards to Heaven.

It was a short walk back, but they took it slow to make it less exhausting for the pregnant woman. Greylyn’s eyes darted around for more shadow creatures, but nothing was amiss. A hint of magnolias hung in the air as they sauntered through the historic district towards the inn. The walk gave her a chance to try to gain more information from Kelly without arousing her suspicions. How do you ask a woman if there is anything demonic or even creepy about her family and friends?

The bride only wished to discuss one topic…Kael. More precisely, Greylyn’s thoughts about her handsome friend. She used the subject to get Kelly to open up as to how they knew Kael, and for how long. Dark guardians did not normally spend large amounts of time cozying up to targets. It was obvious, Kael had been working the couple for a while.

“How did you guys meet Kael anyway? Seems you’ve known each other forever, but I believe he said he hadn’t been in the area very long.”

Kelly perked up at the question. Obviously, the girl took this as an indication that Greylyn was interested in the tall, dark gentleman.

“It’s so funny. It has only been a few months, but it does feel like we’ve known him our whole lives. Matthew’s company had a huge holiday party for New Year’s at the Watergate Hotel. Very elegant. I love dressing up, but always feel so out of place at those soirees. Kael had been hired to take pictures there. He had just moved to the area, and apparently has a lot of gigs out of town because we don’t see him around too often.”

Kelly was starting to babble, so Greylyn tried to coax her into getting to the point a little faster since they were already close to the inn. “So, he was just walking around taking pictures at a party and now you’re best buds?”

“Well, something like that, I guess. He kept coming around, trying to get me to smile. It was our last big evening out before I discovered I was pregnant, so I was drinking. Didn’t have a lot, but for some reason I was light-headed. He suggested Matthew take me out on the balcony for some fresh air and followed us out there to make sure I was okay. We ended up talking the night away. Weird. I don’t remember ever being cold.”

Well, being around Kael can do that to a girl.

Kelly continued to ramble about how wonderful he was, and how he and Matthew had immediately connected over fishing stories and fixing up classic cars. “So, Kael is such an incredible photographer. We are so lucky he offered to take pictures for the wedding…for free. I don’t think we could have afforded another professional. He’s a real life saver. Have you had a chance to see any of his portfolio?”

And on and on for the entire walk. By the time they arrived back at the inn, Greylyn had heard quite enough of Kael’s numerous virtues.

Oh, if this poor girl just knew the truth about the fiend!

Just as Kelly was about to walk up the stairs to her suite, Greylyn nearly jumped when an image of a younger Kelly sprang into her mind. Those beautiful eyes glossed over from alcohol barely concealed the emotional pain she was suffering. Kenny Chesney music playing in the background. “Kelly, did you by chance go to college in Tennessee or Arkansas?”

Kelly stopped on the stairs with one hand on the railing, her expression of shock clear. “Why, yes. Rhodes College in Memphis.”

“Ever hang out at a joint calledDueling Heartsin West Memphis?”

Kelly’s eyes grew wide. “All the time. Not that I’m exactly proud of that fact. How did you guess?”

“Oh, it’s just that you looked familiar.”

***

After Kelly retired up to her room, Greylyn placed a call to an immensely perturbed Aussie.

“Doll, I am not your beck and call boy. I expect some level of consideration. I left a ton of messages. Where the bloody devil have you been all day?”

“Sorry, Thomas. Really, I am. Thought I was giving you time to recover after your big date last night. How’d that go, by the way?”

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