Sins of the Innocent: A Novella Read online

  Claire picked me up and lowered me to my queen bed, propping my head with a pillow.

  “I’m not helpless,” I said.

  “I don’t want you reopening that wound.”

  “Did you put some plastic beneath?” Grandmother said from the doorway. “She’ll seep and ruin the linens.”

  “Cynthia!” Mom snapped. “For God’s sake.”

  “She’s just worried, Mom.”

  Claire went into the bathroom and turned on the faucet before returning with a wet rag. She folded it into quarters and then laid it across my forehead. “You did good. You’ve been holding way back with me. I’m jealous.”

  Grandmother brought a glass of water, helping me to take a sip.

  “You guys are making me feel like I’m dying.”

  “Well, you’re not,” Grandmother said. “You’re just dehydrated. Besides, you’re not allowed to die—not on these sheets.”

  I breathed out a laugh. “Thank you.”

  She touched my cheek. “Rest. I’ll make you something delicious for dinner.”

  I nodded, and she stood, leaving without another word.

  “Cynthia thinks a gourmet meal can fix anything,” Claire said.

  “It can.” I grunted as I tried to sit up higher.

  “Here. Let me help,” Claire said.

  “I’m really fine.”

  “No, in an hour, you’ll be fine. For right now, you need to give yourself time to heal, or it will take longer.”

  Mom pulled off her gloves and blew her bangs from her eyes. “All right. Your cell is on the nightstand. Text if you need anything.” She walked over to place a small kiss on my nose and then held the door opened, waiting for Claire.

  “Oh, I guess that means I should leave.”

  “She needs rest,” Mom said, her tone final.

  Claire raised her brows. “See you in a bit.” She fake-punched my arm and then stood up, the bed moving as she did.

  The door closed, and I sat alone, the mid-day sun pouring in through the windows. The baby-pink curtains hadn’t changed since we moved in, and I didn’t have the heart to tell Mom that I wasn’t in love with that color anymore. I hadn’t been even before Uncle Ryan started teasing me about it.

  The ivory furniture was older than me, and the books and toys were still in place, like time had frozen on one side of the room. The other side had aged with me with my music, magazines, and the pair of daggers hanging on the wall that Claire had gifted me for my twelfth birthday.

  A knock sounded on the door, and Bex peeked his head in. “Are you sleeping?”

  I shook my head.

  “You look like hell,” he said.

  “Thanks.”

  He turned. “I don’t think you want to see her.”

  The door opened wider, and Levi stood there, shirtless, covered in tape and bloody gauze. He was hunched over and sweaty, dirt still smeared on his face from the many times I’d tackled or knocked him to the ground.

  “Yes, I do,” he said, sounding exhausted. He shouldered past Bex.

  “Easy!” Bex said. “Your entrails are going to blow out of that gash onto her rug, and then Cynthia will hate you forever.”

  Levi ignored him, slowly making his way to my bed.

  Bex sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “Why did you give me him? I’m going to die.”

  Levi crawled into bed beside me, lying down on his side, resting his head on my pillow. His brows pulled together. “I told you we shouldn’t have done that.”

  “I’m more equipped to handle an attack than I was when I woke up this morning. I call that success.”

  Bex closed the door, but I could still feel him in the hall.

  I reached over, sliding my fingers between Levi’s, and he relaxed, letting his face sink into the pillow.

  “I wondered how you were going to react to all of this,” he said. “I worried you would reject our life before.”

  “It’s strange. I have the memories, and I know they’re mine, but I didn’t experience them—at least, not in this life. So, it feels more like a wonderful dream than a previous life.”

  “It happened. I was there.”

  “Me, too,” I said, trying not to laugh … or breathe. Everything hurt.

  My eyes opened and closed slowly, feeling exhaustion setting in. I didn’t remember ever being so tired.

  “How much longer do we have to do this?”

  “Until you’re confident that you can leave me alone to fend for myself?”

  Levi blew a damp tendril from his eyes. “I was afraid you’d say that.”

  “You don’t think I’ll get there?” I asked, surprised.

  He peered up at me with tired eyes. “I will always fight with you. Always.”

  I woke up alone in my bed. Sunlight was pouring through the window, and I sat up quickly—too quickly—feeling a deep ache in my arm. The floor was cold beneath my feet, so I slipped them into my moccasins and shuffled to the doorway.

  Claire had come in during the night to help me shower and change my bandages. I made my way down the stairs in a pair of white linen shorts and a white oversized baseball shirt with peach sleeves.

  My side twinged once I reached the last step, and I sucked in a sharp breath, looking down. My bandage had seeped during the night, making an oblong bloodstain on my shirt. I lifted up the bottom hem and peeled away the tape. The wound was just a light pink scar, all but healed, but it was still sore.

  The doorbell rang, and I scanned the area with both my eyes and my senses. “Agatha?” I called.

  When no one came, I peered down at my shirt and then tried to cover it with one arm while I answered the door.

  “Morgan,” I said, surprised.

  He gave me a once-over, shocked at the sight of me. “Is that from training?” He pointed to my arm. “Did Bex do that to you?”

  “No,” I said, holding my bandaged arm behind me.

  When I moved, Morgan caught sight of the stain on my shirt. His eyes widened. “Good God, Eden.” He glanced around quickly and then held out his hands, gesturing for me to come to him. “C’mon. I’ll get you out of here.”

  “Bex didn’t do this to me, Morg. I, um … I had an accident.”

  Morgan frowned. “But … the Audi is parked out front. It’s fine.”

  I pressed my lips together. “I wrecked my mom’s car.”

  “The Beemer? So … did she do that to you?”

  My breath caught when I tried to laugh, and I held my side.

  Morgan held out his hands again. “Geez, Eden. You should be in bed.”

  “What are you doing?” Levi said, appearing at my side. “C’mon, I’ll help you upstairs.”

  Morgan stood up straight, startled. His eyes danced. “You called him and not me?”

  I began to speak, but Levi beat me to it. “You were supposed to call before you came over, weren’t you?”

  Morgan’s mouth fell open and then he stuttered, “I-I guess. I’m sorry, but …” His expression changed. “Did you call?”

  “No, she called me,” Levi said matter-of-factly.

  I glared at Levi and then looked to Morgan. “He was in the car with me,” I said, lifting up Levi’s shirt to reveal the rectangular bandage spanning his lower abdomen. I also saw a set of finely chiseled muscles in the process, and I paused for moment before lowering his shirt. I blinked. “My parents insisted he stay here since he has no family around. You know how Mom is.”

  “No,” Morgan said, “I don’t.” He turned to make his way down the steps.

  I pulled out of Levi’s grip and stepped out onto the concrete steps, growling with the pain. That unnerved me. We were supposed to be healed by morning.

  “Morg, wait.”

  He stopped and then slowly turned around. “I get it. I figured I would be replaced when another guy came along. I guess I just thought it would be after we went off to college.”

  “You’re not being replaced, Morgan. Don’t be silly.”

 
“Oh, yeah? It wasn’t me you got in that accident with. You told me you had to train.”

  “I did … with Levi.”

  “Yeah, and I can’t do that stuff.”

  “You don’t have to. Since when have I required athleticism to be my friend? And since when can a person only have one friend?”

  “Does he have to call when he comes over?”

  “Morg … my family is private. There are thing you just don’t understand.”

  “Oh,” Morgan said, incensed. “He’s rich. You’re right. I’ll never understand that.” He began walking down the gravel drive.

  “Where are you going? How did you get here?” I called after him.

  “The bus. Same way I’m going home.”

  “Let me drive you.”

  He chuckled and turned around. “I don’t think you’re in any shape to drive.”

  “Then let Robert drive you.”

  “Who’s Robert?”

  “My grandmother’s driver. He’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

  He rolled his eyes and then scanned our expansive home, wrinkling his nose as he squinted from the sun. “Will he take me back to two months ago?”

  “Morg …”

  “See you around, Eden.”

  I took a few steps, the rocks crunching under my moccasins, but my side was on fire. I held it and called out to my friend, “What do you want me to do, Morgan? You want me to choose?”

  He stopped. “Maybe I do.” He turned. “Yeah … him or me?”

  “You,” I said without hesitation.

  “Really?” he asked, pushing up his glasses.

  “Yes. I’ll make him leave if you want. Just come inside.”

  Morgan looked past me, and I cringed, realizing Levi was still there. I glanced over my shoulder, expecting to see a look of disappointment, anger, or jealousy, but he was smiling, proud even.

  “Did you hear that?” Morgan said. “She chose me.”

  “I heard it. I’m not surprised in the least,” Levi said.

  “You’re not?” Morgan asked.

  Levi shook his head. “I’m not her best friend. You are.”

  Morgan stood up a bit taller and then walked toward me. Standing next to me, he slowly hooked my arm around his neck and then helped me to walk inside. “Is your aunt here?”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “Will you protect me?”

  “Of course.”

  Morgan supported most of my weight until we were in the kitchen where Grandmother was furiously working in the kitchen. Mom and Dad walked in, holding hands and smiling. Mom sat down at the dining room table, and Dad disappeared through the doorway, asking Grandmother if she needed help.

  “So,” Mom said, “this is Morgan.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Morgan said, reaching across the mahogany to shake her hand. “You have a lovely home.”

  “Thank you,” Mom said, resting her chin on the heel of her hand. “It’s not mine.”

  “You’re working today?” I asked her, noting her gray pantsuit.

  “Beth is gone, and I have a few things to wrap up before my hiatus.”

  “Hiatus?”

  “I’m taking the rest of the summer off.”

  “But I thought I said business as usual?”

  “I thought you knew I don’t take orders from you.”

  “Or anyone,” Grandmother said, carrying a white dish in each hand. She set a plate in front of me and then Morgan.

  “If there’s not enough,” Morgan began.

  “Don’t be silly,” Grandmother said.

  I looked down at the plate. Grandmother had baked potatoes, cut them in half, and then topped it with a perfect ball of cheesy scrambled eggs with diced onion and tomato. On each side were two slices of bacon, garnished with curls of green onion.

  “It’s beautiful,” I said.

  “I don’t think I’ve had a meal like this in … ever,” Morgan said.

  Dad came out with the rest of the plates stacked along both arms, and Grandmother helped him place them in front of each setting. Claire and Ryan arrived, ready to eat.

  “I could get used to this,” Ryan said.

  “Don’t bother,” Claire snapped back.

  Morgan made a face, making sure to keep his head down.

  “Who’s this little weed?” Claire said, leaning forward. The muscles in her arms tensed as she did so.

  Morgan’s head popped up, and he looked to me.

  “This is my friend, Morgan. He’s already terrified of you, so don’t try to intimidate him.”

  Ryan snorted, and Claire narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Excuse me,” Grandmother said, dabbing her mouth with the napkin. She pushed out her chair and then left the room.

  We all traded glances.

  “Did I offend her?” Ryan asked.

  “No telling,” Claire said.

  Levi tensed. A second later, Bex stood and walked over to the window, pushing back the curtain, and then I felt it, too. Something was wrong. Something was coming.

  Claire looked at Dad and then at Morgan. “Should we …”

  Dad shook his head. “No.”

  “Wh-what’s going on?” Morgan asked.

  “I’m … not sure,” I lied.

  Grandmother returned, sitting back down and continuing her meal. Gradually, the threat diminished. Bex came back to the table, and my family and Levi continued to eat as if nothing had happened.

  Morgan’s eyebrows pushed up, and then he dug into his breakfast, too.

  I wanted to ask what that was all about, but it wasn’t the right time with Morgan sitting next to me. Once breakfast was over, Morgan, Levi, and I made our way to the sitting room, albeit slowly.

  “How is your stomach?” I asked Levi.

  “Better. Much. How are you?”

  “The healing hasn’t progressed as I hoped,” I said, purposely cryptic.

  “It just happened yesterday, Eden,” Morgan said. “It’s going to take some time.”

  “You know me.” I smiled. “Always impatient.”

  Levi narrowed his eyes at Morgan. “How are you feeling, Morgan?”

  “Me? Okay, I guess. My chest has felt a little heavy since I got here. I think it’s allergies.”

  “It’s a dusty old house,” I said, getting comfortable.

  Levi reached out to me, trying to help.

  “Oh,” Morgan said, watching us. “Are you guys …”

  “No,” I said.

  “Yes,” Levi said at the same time.

  Morgan winced. “This is awkward.”

  “Do you remember the spring dance in eighth grade?” I asked Morgan, desperate to change the subject.

  “Yes.” He wiped his brow. “One of the top ten most embarrassing nights of my life.”

  “Why is that?” Levi asked, amused.

  “I made him ask Anna Evans for a dance.”

  “I stepped on her feet the whole time,” Morgan said, leaning over.

  “Are you all right?” I asked.

  He was paler than usual, and he was beginning to sweat. “I’m just really hot, and I don’t think breakfast is agreeing with me. Maybe I should go?”

  “I’ll drive you,” Levi said. “Eden, can I take the Audi?”

  “You’re in no condition to drive,” I said. “I’ll get Robert.”

  “I’ll ride with him then,” Levi said.

  Grandmother’s heels clicked down the hallway, and she walked in, holding her purse. “I have errands to run. I’ll ensure that Robert drops the boy off wherever he wishes to go.”

  “Is that okay?” I asked Morgan. “You can stay here.”

  Morgan shook his head. “I think I’d better go home.”

  He stood, and Grandmother sidestepped, allowing him into the hall. She and Levi traded glances, and then she escorted him to the garage.

  “Okay, Levi. What was that?”

  He shook his head. “I think he’s sick. Poor kid.”

  “He’s
not a kid. He’s our age.”

  “No, Eden. We are literally eons older than him.”

  My lips pressed together in a hard line. “Should someone go with them? Is he in danger? Is Grandmother in danger? Tell me the truth.”

  Levi’s eyes danced around the room. “C’mon, Eden. It’s not my truth to tell.”

  “Then whose is it?”

  He frowned at me and then scooted closer. “We should both be resting. Let me take a look at your ribs.” He lifted my shirt and then peeled back the tape, revealing a light-pink spot that looked more like a burn than the gaping wound from the day before. “It’s healing.”

  He gently palpated the area. I winced.

  “It’s hot to the touch. You have a bit of an infection. You’re burning it off. You’ll be one-hundred percent tonight.”

  “Good to know,” I said, relaxing as he smoothed the tape.

  He leaned over and kissed the skin next to it, and then he looked up at me, his eyes falling to my lips.

  I leaned in and tilted my head, stopping just inches from his mouth.

  He moved toward me. “Ask me to kiss you.”

  I put my finger on his lips, and he looked at me, confused.

  “What are you keeping from me?”

  He sighed and fell back against the sofa cushions.

  “You’re killing me,” Levi said.

  “You’re lying. You’re not my family. You don’t get to lie to me.”

  “You’re right. I’ve known you longer, and I love you more.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  He frowned, sitting up with some effort. “If they wanted you to know, they would have told you by now. There’s a reason they’re keeping it from you.”

  “Keeping what from her?” Mom asked, carrying her heels in her hand. She leaned over to kiss my cheek. “Going to work. Love you.”

  “Something about Grandmother.”

  “Grandmother?” she asked, looking to Levi.

  He shrugged.

  “What about her?” Mom asked Levi.

  “You didn’t find the small stint of panic during breakfast strange? Right after Grandmother left the room?” I asked.

  “She’s well versed in all of this, Eden,” Mom said.

  “No”—I shook my head—“it’s something else. She scared them off somehow. She’s done it before.”

  “Eden,” Levi warned.

  “What do you mean?” Mom asked.