Chapter 17

“Okay, that’s enough! Doom, gloom, portents and supernatural crap ... enough! Time to relax, I think.”

Kendra clapped her hands together, startling everyone in the living room of Delilah’s house. They had all been sitting around, listening as Adam recounted what he had seen in the Cave. Additionally, Adam, Delilah, and his mother had shared their suspicion that it had been John and probably Todd who had attacked Kalista. It had been a somber few hours, where they had brainstormed, trying to decide what they could do. Adam’s revelations about the origin of his powers had been especially heavy — even more so to Delilah. The raven-haired beauty had been uncharacteristically quiet since she’d been told what Adam had seen.

Kendra and Holly had led the charge — they’d even got out the journals, pouring over them with Adam as he tried to corroborate both his theories and what he’d been told from the shade he’d spoken to. Every so often one or two of them would exchange glances, a look. As if to say ‘can you believe this?’ But of course, they could. But it was still quite a lot to swallow.

Adam had petered out after a while, growing quieter. More withdrawn. It was obvious that it was all weighing on him. All the women around him weren’t immune either and seemed to mimic his mood, growing more morose and quiet. The mood in the house became oppressive...

... until Kendra decided to do something about it.

The blonde woman stood with her hands on her hips, mock-glaring at everyone. Adam was sitting in the middle of the sofa, his mother and Delilah seated on either side of him. Emily was sitting on Holly’s lap — the two of them were bundled up in a single armchair off to the side.

Kendra clapped her hands again, the loud sound seeming incongruous to the somber room. She forced out a smile.

“We’ve been sitting here for hours now, and I think we’ve all had just about enough.”

Delilah rubbed at her face tiredly.

“We have to talk about this, Kendra. It’s too important not to.”

Kendra folded her arms across her chest, looking stubborn.

“And we have talked about it. For hours.”

“Yes, and we have to —”

Kendra raised her voice.

“HOURS. It’s getting late, and I think we could all do with some food. Rehashing the same things over and over isn’t going to help us or anyone else. I get that it’s important, but looking after yourself is important too! We can’t do anything else tonight — and even if there was something, I wouldn’t let you. We’ve covered everything we need to cover. Let’s relax and unwind!”

They all stared at her for a moment, and then Adam let out a shaky laugh. He got up and stretched. Smiling at Kendra.

“You’re right. There’s so much to do — but it’s been a hell of a long day. For everyone.”

Adam looked around, and all the women in the room nodded in agreement. Adam saw his mother give Kendra a small smile, mouthing ‘thank you’ at the younger woman. He turned to Kendra, raising an eyebrow at her.

“So what are we going to do?”

Kendra blinked, already flushing a little from Erin’s regard.

“Huh? What?”

Holly got to her feet, lifting up Emily for a moment — much to Adam’s sister’s surprise — before dumping her back in her vacated seat. The brunette smiled at her fiancée.

“I think Adam is asking what you have in mind. Since you’ve taken it upon yourself to snap us all out of our funk.”

Kendra staggered back, putting the back of her hand to her forehead.

“Oh, damn. Responsibility! The awful price of having such a vibrant and go-getting personality!”

Emily snorted. She looked at Holly.

“How did she ever get such a big head? Seriously?”

Holly just put her arm around Kendra, hugging her gently.

“It’s entirely deserved. Well, Kendra? You’re in charge I think.”

Kendra hesitated for a second, but then her expression firmed.

“Right! Okay, Delilah — you’re on drinks! Because it’s your house and you know if there is anything here worth drinking. I know you and Adam don’t get much out of alcohol, but you can just enjoy the social atmosphere! Holly, you’re on food. See what’s what! Or you can just ask Delilah I guess. Cutie — you and your mom are on comfy duty. Take the cushions off the sofa’s, get blankets ... I don’t know, but see if you can make it so that we can all just lay down and relax.”

Emily raised her eyebrows at Kendra.

“Are you saying we should have a big dog pile in the middle of the room?”

Kendra grinned.

“Not exactly — but maybe put a pin in that. But be creative. Everyone is too stiff, we need to relax!”

Emily, unconvinced, crossed her arms.

“I think you left someone out. What are you going to do while we are doing all this?”

Kendra blinked guilelessly at Emily. She hooked her arm through Adam’s.

“Why, I’m keeping Adam company. Stopping him from being broody is the most important job! In fact, I’m willing to go above and beyond to —”

“Oh no you don’t!”

Holly snagged Kendra’s hand, and started to drag her over towards the kitchen.

“You were almost doing so well, K. Come on. Help me with the food.”

“Aww...”

The mood lightened up almost instantly. Delilah only had straight bourbon, but it was the expensive sort and so was actually pretty smooth. As not everyone was used to drinking straight spirits, Delilah took it upon herself to ration it for everyone; aiming for a pleasant buzz and not full on drunkenness. The food was just as good. Delilah had thought ahead as soon as it was decided that everyone was going to spend the night at hers. Her fridge was packed with both pre-made food and ingredients. Actually, a lot of the food turned out to be from Kendra’s meal plan for their classes. So it was healthy as well as tasty.

Emily complained a bit as they rearranged the main living area, but she worked at it with a will — arranging pillows and cushions so that there was an expansive area to just lounge and relax in. Very informal, and it actually resembled something like a sleepover area for kids — something that made Emily flush when it was pointed out.

Everyone moved between the kitchen and the living area; eating, drinking, and just chatting. Two or three of them would spin off, talking animatedly for a while, before moving back to the main group. Actually, the only person that didn’t visibly relax was Adam. Oh, he kept a smile on his face; talking to anyone that came up to him, but he was mostly just reacting. If no one initiated conversation with him, he would grow quiet. Staring off into the distance. Just thinking everything over.

Adam still kept an ear out though, listening as the women in his life chatted and laughed amongst themselves.

“ ... it’s a shame Kalista had to go back, isn’t it? I mean, I thought about asking if she wanted to stay here tonight.”

Kendra sighed as she leant against the kitchen counter, swirling the bourbon in her glass in what she thought was an elegant manner. By her side, Holly winced — holding up her hand to ward off any inadvertent splashes.