Marker of Hope by Nely Cab Page A

in Nyx and Alezzander on what
happened from the day I left Bucharest with Galilea and the Doctors
Gunn. I asked them about the repercussions of breaking off an
engagement—David’s and Olympia’s to be exact—in their culture. They
told me there’d be gossip and criticism, but nothing of
consequence. Nyx told us how she and Alezzander flew in from
Canada, where Alezzander had stopped to negotiate a business deal.
The meeting ran late, and they missed their flight. During the
delay to hop on the next plane, Olympia called Nyx, asking for
David. When she found out David’s parents were heading to meet him,
she insisted on coming along.
    “What if Olympia tells the Council about me?”
I asked.
    “She’s not empathic, so she doesn’t sense
you’re different. Plus, she’s under the impression you’re a deity,”
Nyx said.
    “How do you know?” I asked.
    “Well, your hand was fine after you struck
her. What else would she think?”
    “I hope you’re right,” I said. “It’s one less
thing to worry about.”
    “Indeed,” Alezzander and David said at
once.
    It was past eleven o’clock at night, and I
told David I needed to go home. After seeing David had their
furniture taken to a storage facility, Alezzander decided he and
Nyx should check into a hotel in town. Nyx was hesitant to leave
David and me alone because of the recent Turpis attack.
    “Once I’m home, I’ll be fine,” I said to Nyx.
“Galilea has a block placed on my house so no one can see it or me.
And David isn’t the one the demons want.”
    “But—”
    “We’ll be fine, Mother,” David reassured her.
“You should both get some rest.”
    Alezzander and Nyx left to the hotel in their
rental car, and David drove me home. As we drove under the
streetlights on my block, I caught glimpses of David’s face. His
jaw was tight and his brow tighter. I knew the look of worry on his
face.
    “You didn’t mean it when you told your mom
we’d be fine,” I said to David as he parked.
    “No,” he admitted. “But I didn’t want either
of you to worry. I don’t want to leave you here by yourself.” He
glanced at my house. “Galilea’s invisible block is down.”
    “I was of afraid of that.” I said. “She did
mention she could hardly handle it anymore. I guess she’s reached
her limit.”
    “It was bound to happen.”
    “Yeah.” I glanced at the house and noticed
the living room light was on. “My mom is still up—waiting for me,
I’m sure.”
    “I wonder,” David said. “Do you think she’d
allow me to spend the night?”
    “With me—in my bed? Oh…” I shook my head. “I
doubt my mom will be okay with it. I might be pregnant, but we’re
not married, and she’s old fashioned.”
    “I’ll sleep on the couch. I don’t care. As
long as I’m here in case anything…in case you need me.”
    “So what? You plan on marching in there and
saying, ‘Hey, Mrs. Martin, can I crash on your couch tonight? I
don’t want the boogie man to get your daughter.’”
    “Don’t be ridiculous.” He gave me an annoyed
look. “I wouldn’t use the term boogie man.”
    “So what lie am I telling her this time?”
    “You’re going to tell her there’s no
furniture in my house because the movers took it. That’s not a
lie.”
    “It’s also not the entire truth,” I said.
    “Isis, do you think I enjoy lying to your
mother? But we have to for her own safety.”
    “I know. I know.” I leaned over and kissed
his cheek. “Thanks for being so considerate of my mom. Now, c’mon.
Let’s go see what she has to say about our sleepover.”
    The television was on, and Claire was asleep
on the sofa. I picked up the remote control on her chest and
clicked off the TV. She stirred.
    “Mom,” I said. A snore. “Mom.” I shook her
shoulder. “MOM.”
    “What?” she mumbled, her eyes still
closed.
    “I’m home.”
    “M’kay.”
    “David’s here, too,” I said. She didn’t
react. “Mom…” I shook her again. “Wake