The Forsaken by Renee Pace

you. All will be as it should. It would be best for you to leave, Mike.”
    “Cut that crap, Meredith.”
    “Maybe he should stay, sister,” said Shea.
    Meredith watched Mike turn his head toward the open door. She didn’t miss the reassuring wink he aimed at Shea. Shea, with her golden-hued skin, blushed a beautiful shade of cinnamon. Of all the sisters, Shea was the one Meredith understood the least. She was honest and forthcoming, while equally shy, but Meredith always felt like she kept a secret close to her heart.
    Taking another sip of water, she forced her mind from Shea to the situation at hand. Mike moved back into the kitchen and returned with two glasses. He handed one to Shea, who Meredith now realized was carrying her harp. Of all the sisters, it was Shea who was the virtuoso of a musician. She had the ability to play any instrument she picked up. The day she’d confessed to Mike how she longed to feel the hard steel strings of a harp, her eyes had filled with sadness, making Meredith recall that none of them were finding adaptation to Earth easy.
    Meredith knew it had been Mike who had bought her the harp Shea carried lovingly in her arms. Shea had cried tears of joy when she’d found the harp at her door. She carefully took the spot next to Mike, ensuring her white robe covered all of her flesh. Meredith almost gave into a laugh. Shea and the rest of them had showed enough flesh on stage tonight. While Mike had made it clear he didn’t like how they dressed on stage, he kept quiet after Isabella told him to.
    Meredith observed the little conversation taking place in the common room. Whenever Shea came near Mike, he got tongue-tied. Charming, but over the coming years Meredith had started to feel sorry for him.
    Finishing her glass, Meredith rose. Mike immediately stood up.
    “I have to go,” he said, making his way to the door before Meredith.
    “Thank you,” said Shea and Meredith in unison, causing both to smile.
    Meredith watched Mike leave, recalling all she’d learned from touching him. Mike had witnessed his sister’s murder. But it wasn’t an ordinary killing. It had been a demon who had taken his sister’s life and Meredith wondered if Izzy knew, and if that was why she’d taken his offer of shelter for them all.
    “Tell Izzy we can review the account she wanted to go over tomorrow,” said Mike.
    “I will,” said Meredith, making a move toward the kitchen, but not before casting a look at Shea.
    “Is everything okay, Shea?”
    “Oh, yes,” said Shea, but there was a sadness in her eyes Meredith wanted to question.
    “Would you like some tea?”
    Shea rose from the sofa. “That would be lovely. Let me help you.”
    Meredith nodded. “Dare we make some for Izzy?”
    Shea didn’t laugh and that’s what Meredith had been going for.
    “No. I’m sure she would not appreciate it.”
    “She’s going through a rough time.”
    “Aren’t we all,” said Shea, cutting in front of Meredith to step into the kitchen. Meredith didn’t say anything more. Whatever demons Shea was fighting, she wasn’t in the mood to share.
    A loud knock on the front door caused Meredith to stare at Shea.
    “Do you think Mike forgot something?” asked Shea.
    “No, I think it’s another visitor,” said Meredith, leaving the kitchen to go back to the common room.
    At the door, Meredith paused. “Who is it?”
    “Gareth,” said the booming voice on the other side of the solid door.
    Meredith’s heart did a little flutter and she tried hard to ignore it. “It’s late, Gareth. Please come back in the morning.” Out of the corner of her eye she watched Shea peek around from the kitchen.
    “Meredith, let me in.”
    Mouthing “It’s okay” to Shea, Meredith unlocked the door and let Gareth slip inside. He looked like he’d been to Hell and the urge to comfort him soothed her soul. She was Cherub and that’s what she did best.
    Gareth bounced on the balls of his feet, his fists clenching and his