Passenger

Part V

Two Weeks Later

"Oh, fuck," I moaned. Back arching, toes curling, my lungs attempted to swallow all the oxygen available. My face was starting to go asleep regardless.

They had that effect on me.

Lucian crashed onto the bed next to me. Fully spent, his face donned a contented smile. His touch gave him away. The demon just wasn't able to master that light, loving touch that came so naturally to my husband. But he had mastered other touches quite easily. He would slip away and leave a sated Adam to snuggle me into the night. It was a splendid routine.

I shifted up onto my elbow when I noticed Lucian lingering and called to him.

He hummed in response.

"Thank you for keeping your word."

Seemingly confused, my blissful lover cocked an eyebrow. "And what word is that?"

"To take care of us," I said wistfully. "I thought you were nothing but trouble when you first showed up; and rightfully so, I might add-"

"I've already apologized for that!" Lucian interrupted.

Oh yes, I had made him apologize and I wasn't about to let him forget it. But for now, I ignored his comment. "You've really changed things for us." I paused, remembering that Adam was a spectator in this conversation. "I'm sure Adam can tell you."

A relaxed smile spread across his shadowed features as he nestled back into the mattress. "Well yeah, but I like to hear it out loud." He chuckled. "And we all know how loud you can be."

No amount of darkness could hide my blush. I could feel it and I knew that Lucian was well aware, as well. I smacked his shoulder playfully only for him to capture the offending hand and bring it to his mouth. Kissing my knuckles, he whispered 'goodnight' before fading away.

Adam's hold on me increased as he rejoined me. "I love you Evie," he said, pulling me close so he could caress my face. That, that was the touch that Lucian could never imitate. It was pure love.

"I love you too," I replied, intertwining our hands as we drifted off into a restful slumber.

***

Driving on the fairgrounds when there was no fair was unsettling. The earth was torn up from the set-up and removal of multi-ton equipment and debris littered the outskirts, lining the field with smatterings of unnatural color and texture.

A chain divider kept me from traveling further in, so I parked and got out on foot. The distance across somehow seemed so much more vast without the maze of attractions to wade through.

I wasn't sure what I was looking for. I certainly didn't expect anything. But something had called me back to this place. That moment that had been a prelude to the most unexpected of life's turns had left me wondering what else was out there? What was to come?

My preconceived limits had been torn down as the mundane and paranormal blended together in what was everyday life for me. And I needed to know what was next; I needed a sign.

I made my way to where the fortune teller's tent had been, to the best of my knowledge. Wandering, I stirred up loose dirt looking for... something. I felt like a bird, trying to pick out the 'shinies' from the trash.

Disappointment began to build within me as I covered more and more ground. Finally giving up, I turned on my heel only for something to catch my eye. More than likely junk, I toed the item at my feet. A large rectangle, I quickly reevaluated my find as recognition set in.

Heart pounding in my ears, I picked up the forgotten Tarot card, turning it over in my hands. Wiping away the layer of grime it had accumulated from being exposed to the elements, I was pleasantly surprised to see the hearty material held fast and the artwork remained unmarred.

A small smile pulled at my lips as I took in the image. A woman was centered, with wings to make her angelic, but upon closer inspection, she appeared to be held up by a man on either side of her. 'Temperance,' the card that the gypsy woman had said represented balance, stared back at me.

I sighed, fixation appeased, and pocketed the oversized card. Looking across the barren expanse, I understood that there was nothing else for me here. I had everything, and more importantly, everyone I needed waiting for me at home.