Falling Embers (Abandoned)

Chapter Twenty-Two

If Justin had thought his mother was the Spanish Inquisition before dinner it was nothing compared to his father. Cass barely touched her food for all the talking she was prompted into. Mr. Scott delved into her grades, her relationship with her parents, how she felt about her gaps in her upbringing after being raised without a father, so on and so forth. He was grueling, he was thorough- if not rude at times, and he never let the subject rest. He was more than disapproving of the fact that she was so much older than Justin but he didn’t demand their relationship cease and for that she was grateful. After the Scotts had all but cleared their plates and Cassandra had a full breast still up/on her own Justin at last intervened.

“Let her eat Dad! She came over for dinner, not to tell us her life story while we eat.” He said heatedly. Mr. Scott glared down at his son but ceased his questioning.

“I’m sorry,” He amended somewhat grudgingly “Please eat.”

Cassandra sighed quietly and picked up her knife, cutting in to the tender chicken. She ate subconsciously, aware that the entire Scott family was watching her. The meal was delicious and she made sure to compliment Mrs. Scott many a time as she devoured her plate little by little. After she had finished Justin and Raichel cleared the table together and brought out plates for dessert.

“I made my special cherry cheese cake for you, Cassandra.” Mrs. Scott beamed, disappearing into the kitchen and coming out with a round pie topped to the brim with lush Marciano cherries.

“Oh, Mrs. Scott it looks fantastic! I am honored!” Cass beamed. “You are so thoughtful.”

“Well now, you are very welcome dear. It’s not every day Justin brings home a girl.” Mrs. Scott smiled warmly.

“Yes, this was a pleasant surprise.” Mr. Scott nodded, cutting the cake. He set a piece on each plate and then passed them around the table. Cassandra thanked him as she took her plate and he smiled. She couldn’t help but feel that she had won him over. The rest of her time at the Scott house was more relaxed. After dinner they retired to the living room and discussed schooling, politics and even exchanged playful banter. As the eight o’ clock hour struck Cass rose and stretched her stiff muscles.

“It was wonderful meeting you, but I’m afraid I must be on my way. Thank you very much for your hospitality and for the wonderful dinner.” She smiled, shaking each of their hands in turn.

“You are welcome back anytime!” Mrs. Scott beamed.

“Darn right you are. It’s about time Justin got his act together and met a girl like you.” Mr. Scott grinned.

“Thank you.” Cass laughed as Justin stood.

“I’ll walk you to the door.” He announced, towing her away. They found their way to the front hall after a rousing chorus of goodbyes and see you soons and Justin let out a loud sigh. “Well that went better than I thought.”

“I thought it went rather well myself.” She smiled, unlocking her car as they stepped into the chilly evening air. Once they were to her car he pressed her up against her door and kissed her deeply.

“Drive safe.” He whispered as thunder rolled in the distance. A storm was brewing and she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

“I will.” She sighed. She could feel the first few rain drops on her skin and she gave Justin one last kiss before silently slipping into her car and turning on the ignition. He stepped away with a look of despair and waved sadly as she backed out and turned west.

Chapter Nine: Choices

Now that she finally had some time to herself thoughts enveloped her like a vast unruly sea. Thoughts of the wolves, thoughts of the coven…. When pressed she had chosen both but if she had been forced to actually choose what would she have done? The Coven had broken her out of her catatonic sate. She owed them for that. The wolves have been there for her through thick and thin. They had saved her from a life of slavery and misery. She owed them her life. The Coven was easy to fall into but she hadn’t known them for very long at all. The Shadow Wolves were her family. She had known them for ages. The coven accepted her without question but then again so had the shadow wolves. Around and around reason and madness, logic and insanity chased themselves around her head. Before she was even aware of the direction she was driving she found herself parked in front of a house she hadn’t been to in years.  The two story loomed above her solemnly, its dark frame and black shutters calling out to her.  She slowly shut off the ignition and stared at the house with the windshield wipers still running. Memories flooded over her and she sat in the stillness of silence for a long while. Minutes passed that felt like hours as she remembered a happier time. Her subconscious, it seemed, had made her choice for her. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the car, quietly shutting the door so as not to alert the inhabitants of the house to her arrival. She didn’t want to be intercepted on the lawn. The rain was coming down in sheets and she was soon soaked to the bone. She dashed up the walk, seeking shelter under the porch before ringing the familiar doorbell. It seemed like an eternity passed before the door opened, her emotions raging. At last the knob turned and the door swung inward to reveal Luke.