Within Temptation

Eight (So Here Comes the Fall)

I found Orion to be my anchor in the waking world. Ben, already hard at work, sent me photographic evidence of his conquests. I tried to stay mad, truly I did, but I couldn't. I reminded myself of everything we endured, everything we survived. I'd be honest, some time at the cottage sounded lovely. There were video games I wanted to play. As an adult things like free time were all but nonexistent. I wanted to take full advantage of the time I was going to have with my family.

Ellie begged to watch Orion during my lunch with Andy, for a moment I considered it. My newly recovered memories may have had other plans. With Orion with me, Andy wouldn't dare use his Incubus abilities. Right? It struck me that I hardly knew the man I called my best friend. My conscience reminded me that I knew two sides of him. My heart hoped to touch the goodness I knew he carried. If it was still there.

The Burger Joint was surprisingly busy. I took a spot in the way back. I didn't mind the walk, I brought Ri's stroller setting him inside. He seemed rather insistent that he bring both his giraffe and hedgehog with him. I made sure they were secure before pushing him towards the restaurant. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. There was no denying the crush I still nursed on Andy Biersack.

"Corinne."

His deep voice never failed to turn my insides to jelly. Luckily Orion's squeal brought me out of my head. Andy smiled warmly at me bringing me into a hug first. I buried my face into his chest forgetting all about what he was. He wrapped his arms around me holding me close resting his chin on top of my head. I fit perfectly into his arms almost as if I belonged in them.

Don't start falling for his charm now, Bruce.

I flinch, there went my conscience. My inner voice had been quiet for quite some time. I was all but convinced my voice of reason had packed its bags. Hearing it again gave me a semblance of hope that I wouldn't fall into temptation. I took a step back biting my lip a faint blush on my cheeks. I was a married woman now I couldn't be thinking these kinds of thoughts.

Yes, you can girl. You can look at the menu you just can't order off it.

Jo's voice chimed in her two cents, forever the devil on my shoulder. I pushed her behind one of the barriers in my mind giving Andy my full attention. He brought out a present setting the box on Orion's lap. His eyes went wide his hands already working on removing the wrapping paper.

"I have a table for us already." Andy's arm went around my waist. I follow him to the back of the restaurant. Orion focused intently on his task leaving a trail of paper in his wake. The wait staff was familiar with my son and his antics. They picked up the pieces in passing.

"I'm sorry to hear about Ashley," I say when we're seated. I gauge Andy's reaction searching for a hint of sorrow. A small spark appears and it's not the emotion I expect. It is satisfaction, grim satisfaction that sends a chill straight to my bones. He runs a hand through his hair sadness appears on his face. How long had he been an Incubus? How long did it take for him to learn how to convey emotions to appear human? I schooled my own facial expression into one of ignorance. The women in my family were masters of the poker face.

"Thank you, Rin." He takes my hand.

"How are the guys holding up?" I ask.

"They're in shock. I'll be honest, I'm still trying to process it." He bites his lip. "A Dreamweaver copycat."

"I'll admit it's crazy to think that anyone would want to copy Eve's twisted agenda." The lie flows easily from my lips. My August intuition drew up a few different theories. I knew he was behind the Dreamweaver killings. It was safe to assume he was behind Ashley's death. He would want revenge against the ones who thwarted his plans. I realized it could be possible that Ben could be on that list.