Tainted by Cyndi Goodgame Page A

reached down pulling it out to show her and saw her eyes light up.
    “Mom, I love you.  You are the best mom.  You know that right?”
    “I do now.  Remind me later just so I can hear it again.” Her tingle of a laugh escaped her lips.  “And return that to Ian.”
    She knew it was his.  We both laughed heartily.
    Ian walked into the room, unannounced, telling us it was time to go.  He was standing just behind me all protective Ian like. 
    I couldn’t hug my mom so I told her, “See you soon.”
    “Write your dad.  Can you do that?”
    “Yes, mom.  I can positively do that.”  I smiled second guessing my real parentage line.  Dad’s human side seemed off a bit somehow.  I don’t recall every hearing where he was born and had never heard the story of how they met in the first place.  There was more to it than just what it seems.
    “Mom, where was dad born?”
    “Another time dear.”  They didn’t think I saw, but my mom and Ian exchanged looks and maybe even some words that didn’t transfer my way.  My mom’s smile was the last thing I saw as I was backed up slowly out the door, Ian’s hand cupping my neck and sending little tingles all over and the rest following suit.  I kept my composure the trip home trying hard to think about what my letter might say to my dad. 
    When the group was safely inside the court boundaries Ian’s tension released noticeably.  He kept his eyes just in front of me and his hand on my back the entire trip back to ease me and himself also.  Pike stayed ahead of me not making any move to talk.  I’d not heard a word from him since putting on Ian’s pendant and mine. 
    When we crossed over I turned to head to my room to freshen up, really meaning to release everything I’d held inside to my bed pillow.  Ian caught my hand, nodded to the guards, and led me all the way through the garden to the trampoline.  We climbed up silently feeling the slap of the strong winds returning to the air.  He opened his arms and I fell into them. I released every single tear I’d held inside without saying a word.  And when I was done, his shirt wet and covered with mascara, he pulled my chin up and kissed me softly.
    Never a word.

Chapter Eight
vulnerable - a. exposed to the possibility of being harmed or attacked either physically or emotionally
     
     
    I sent Danella alone, without Ian knowing she went.  I was more careful this time.  I found out while openly listening the last few nights to Pike and Ian mapping out the next steps that Kin hadn’t budged an inch, but Pike had caught sight of the kitchen window being raised after our visit.  That was two nights ago. When they exchanged tacit looks in a supposed private conversation, I stiffened.  I stayed there with them long enough to learn that Kin’s Nym guards were retiring each night on the edge of the woods near the small old farmhouse next door that was turned into a shed by my father.  No one lived there of course.  The realtor long ago said it was used for a servants quarters’ during the Civil War.  Ian and I had covered the house top to bottom for cool artifacts but found nothing but old razor blades in the wall and a couple of old coins.  We did find an old meat grinder and had fun creating horror stories with the device.  Our first search had been freshman year, that in my head, felt so long ago.
    I made Danella return secretly for a peek and was thankful for Ian’s sudden gifted pendant even if it proved a mostly worthless trip.  Danella was even more mad at me because of the rain I didn’t predict.   She promised to do it every morning for me if I would stay away.  All I needed was to know they were safe.
    Giving Ian the pendant back was something on my to do list, but I needed it right now.  I really like seeing it hang down on his bare chest when he took off his shirt during sparring and such…well, all the time.  I was the only female that was allowed in the range during day hours.