Fateful Signs (Ballad of the Seer, Book Three)

Chapter 25 - Trial & Error

The drive back to Lily's house, with Lily and the Cavanaughs crammed into the backseat of a black SUV, was uncomfortable. Laura Howard sat in the front passenger seat exuding a pompous vibe that made Lily want to gag. Upon entering- being pushed, really - Lily saw that the guardians had corralled everyone into the living room. Her mother and Ms. Birch were both wearing long sleeves, so she couldn't see if they had been re-shackled with the magic-sapping bracelets.

Dianna and Cora, with a very visible shackle, were seated in the arm chairs, each with a guardian at their back. Three more guardians stood in front of the hearth and another five were behind the sofa. Including Laura Howard and her gang, there were seventeen in all.

It was then that Lily realized there were a few people missing. She looked back at Agent Howard. "Where are my brother and father?"

"We allowed your father to leave with the children." Howard said. "You see, we aren't the bad guys here. We don't hurt innocent people."

The irony of that statement and the woman's complete conviction made Lily burst into a fit of uncontrollable giggling. She knew it was a bad idea to antagonize the guardians, especially since they now could use her loved ones as incentive for her to behave, but she couldn't help herself. It was too much.

Suddenly, Patricia started to laugh. She was soon joined by Sean and Duncan. Slowly, everyone broke into chortles and chuckles and snickering. It was as if Lily had infected them with her mood, the same way that she was always effected by the moods of others. She wondered if that was an extension of her abilities. Like pushing. Only, instead of thoughts, it was her own emotions. She would have to ask Gran, if she ever came out of hiding.

When Lily's curiosity stopped her laughter, everyone else calmed down as well. Proving that it was her causing it.

Agent Howard unholstered her gun, jabbing the barrel into Lily's neck. "I know that you did that. And I don't suggest you try it again."

Lily swallowed, suddenly terrified. She did not like guns.

"If I even suspect that you are, you'll get a bullet." Howard leaned in, so close that Lily could feel the woman's hot breath on her ear. "But it won't be aimed at you. Maybe I'll point it at your boyfriend, here." The muzzle of the gun dug into Lily's skin deeper. "It seems like such a shame to ruin such a handsome face. Or should I give it to your pretty little blonde friend over there?"

Lily's head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds when she moved it left and right. "Don't," she whispered, so that only Laura could hear. "Please, don't hurt them. I'll do whatever you want."

Agent Howard pulled away, replacing her gun into the leather holster under her smart blazer. "Good, then. Go take a seat."

Lily did as she was told. She sat on the sofa between her mother and Ms. Birch. They each took one of her hands.

"Go. All of you." Howard pushed Patricia toward the living room. Duncan started to lunge forward, to protect his mother, but he was stopped by two incredibly buff guardians. "Restrain him." Agent Howard told the men, who complied, slapping on a pair of cuffs. Lily wondered if what little magic he retained could withstand the cuffs.

The guardians shoved Duncan, making him walk into the living room. They pushed him to the floor at the end of the coffee table. Lily leaned forward. She wanted to go to him, but a hand pulled her back. It was her mother's. Jacquelyn shook her head. Not yet. Her voice rang in Lily's mind, clear as a bell. If she could send Lily a thought...

Lily looked down at her mother's wrist. Jacquelyn pulled her sleeve back long enough for Lily to see that she was shackle-free, which meant that Howard hadn't checked them.