Grim Expectations (Aisling Grimlock Book 5) Read online

  “I did yell at you.” Dad sat in his favorite chair with a mud mask on his face. I was surprised he let Jerry put it on him, but after a few moments of quiet reflection I realized he was willing to do almost anything to make Serena feel safe and remain close to the rest of us at the same time. There were still gargoyles outside, and even though we’d seen a few hints of movement signifying the home office soldiers were present, it still wasn’t safe to venture through the front door. “I thought Aisling might go to jail because of that little snafu.”

  “It wouldn’t be the first time I spent a night in jail,” I pointed out.

  “That’s true,” Dad chuckled. “I believe I had to bail you out a day or two later. That was the first time I met Griffin.”

  “You’ve been in jail?” Serena’s eyes were as wide as compact discs. “For what?”

  “A fair number of things,” I answered. “I think I have two arrests for public drunkenness, three for assault – although all of those were because of Angelina, so they don’t really count – and I have one for trespassing. I think that’s it.”

  “Don’t forget the one for car theft,” Griffin supplied. “That’s the first thing I saw when I checked your record, and I couldn’t believe it.”

  I snickered. “Yes, but that was a misunderstanding.”

  “You stole a car?” Serena looked downright impressed. “Did you get in trouble?”

  “Some,” I replied. “Dad grounded me several times. Some of those arrests were when I was an adult, though, so he couldn’t ground me.”

  “Don’t kid yourself, Aisling,” Dad said. “I can always ground you. I’m just that powerful.” His eyes were serious when they landed on Serena. “You probably shouldn’t look at my daughter as a role model. She’s a wonderful girl … very spirited … but she’s also a handful and she likes finding trouble.”

  “Oh, that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Dad.”

  My father ignored me. “You should try to follow the rules … and never get arrested, Serena. Be a good girl. Don’t be like Aisling.”

  “Oh, that should be the new family motto,” Braden said. “Don’t be like Aisling. We should get shirts made up.”

  “Don’t make me come over there and thump you,” Griffin warned. “You’ve been riding your sister all night and I’ve just about had it. She’s injured and tired. Can’t you give it a rest?”

  Braden looked properly abashed. “Probably not, but I’ll try.”

  I ignored the potential squabble and kept my gaze on Serena. “I agree about being arrested,” I said. “Jail food sucks and the beds are harder than Braden’s head.”

  “Ha, ha.” Braden made an exaggerated face as Serena giggled.

  “I want to be just like Aisling when I grow up,” Serena announced. “I want to take on wraiths and have a hot boyfriend.”

  Griffin smiled at the girl. “Did you hear that, baby? I’m hot.”

  “I already knew you were hot,” I said. “I think you’re even hotter with the mask, though.”

  “Yes, we’ll, nothing can diminish my hotness,” Griffin said.

  “Speaking of hot, I think I recognize the symbols along the edge of this seal and at least two of them appear to be fire symbols,” Cillian said. He’d been studying the disc ever since we sat down in the parlor. “I want to go through a couple of things on my computer first, though. It’s like I recognize the symbols but can’t remember from where.”

  “Do you think it’s important?” Serena asked, sobering. “Do you think it will lead you to the person responsible for killing my parents?”

  “Honey, the wraiths killed your parents,” Dad said gently.

  “Yes, but someone had to be ordering them around,” Serena countered. “Wraiths don’t generally get together in big groups and attack reaper houses. I’m not officially a reaper yet, but even I know that.”

  She had a point. “We’ll figure out what the seal is and hopefully that will point us in the right direction,” I said. “Once we get your stuff from Cillian’s truck you can call your grandmother and aunt, too. I’m sure they’re wondering why no one has contacted them.”

  “Yeah. Grandma calls every Sunday. She’s probably freaking out.” Serena furrowed her brow. “I’m not sure I want to live with her.”

  “I already told you that decision is still in front of us,” Dad said, causing my heart to roll when I briefly wondered if he would take her in himself. The idea hadn’t occurred to me until now. Everyone seemed to love her. Heck, everyone seemed to prefer her company to mine. Would my father really take on a ward? Ugh. That’s just … no way. I can’t deal with that.

  “I know,” Serena said, pushing herself to a standing position. “I’m going to wash off this mask. After that, can we have some of the leftover cookies and cake from dinner? I’m starving.”

  “You ate like three pounds of steak at dinner,” Redmond said. “I think I’m in love with your appetite.”

  “She also went a long time without real food,” Griffin pointed out. “She should eat as much as she can – even if it is junk.”

  “Oh, thank you, food police,” I teased, giggling when he tickled my side. “Is your face still tingling?”

  “Actually, something else may be tingling,” Griffin said, leaning closer so his lips brushed against my ear. “As soon as you wash that stuff off your face, we’re going to bed. We don’t need cake and cookies. I have something sweeter in mind for you once we’re alone.”

  “I heard that,” Dad said, making a face that cracked his mask. “I’ll lock you in the dungeon if you say anything like that ever again.”

  I ignored Dad’s admonishment. Griffin’s suggestion sounded like a good idea. Some restful sleep could only help me at this point. Unfortunately, relaxation didn’t appear to be in the cards, because Mom picked that moment to stride into the parlor and put her hands on her hips.

  “What? Are you running a spa now? I guess it’s better than a brothel.”

  So much for an early night.

  17

  Seventeen

  “I see our security is nice and tight,” I deadpanned, making a face as Dad shot me a dark look. “This should make everyone feel safe tonight.”

  Mom ignored my sarcasm and focused on Dad. “Since when do you do mud masks with our children?”

  “Since Jerry wanted a spa night and we’re stuck inside thanks to the gargoyles in the courtyard,” Dad shot back. “Besides, I like feeling pretty.”

  Something about the way he said it – the look on his face – made me giggle. When Mom shifted her eyes to me, Griffin responded by gripping my hand. He was sending a message. He probably thought it was subtle, but it wasn’t. If she wanted to get at me she would have to get through him. Sadly, she didn’t look perturbed by the possibility.

  “Well, how great,” Mom said, looking around the room. “I saw the gargoyles outside. People are rounding them up. Quite a few of them are dead.”

  “Good,” I said. “They’re freaky.”

  “They’re also old,” Mom said. “Couldn’t you have tried talking to them instead of killing them?”

  That was rich coming from her. “Do you talk to your dinner before you eat it?”

  “Knock it off, Aisling,” Braden snapped, struggling to a standing position. “It’s good to see you, Mom.”

  Mom accepted his hug, gracing him with a smile as she touched the drying mask. “You all seem to be having fun. You guys never wanted to put masks on when Aisling and I did it.”

  Of course she would bring that up. She was trying to anchor me to nice memories of our time together. I was too smart for that. “Jerry has been a wonderful influence on them,” I supplied. “He’s fun and he makes mud masks delightful.”

  “Thank you, Bug,” Jerry cooed. “I love you, too.”

  I beamed at him as Griffin rested his hand on my knee. Mom stared at his flexing fingers for a moment and then turned serious. “Why are you all in here when there is work to be done outsi
de?”

  “We’re storing up our energy for tomorrow,” I replied. “We’re like bears. Instead of getting fat before hibernation we’re getting mud masks.”

  Mom wasn’t amused. “Is that supposed to be funny?”

  “If I had alcohol, I would be totally funny.”

  “Don’t bring up the wine again,” Griffin ordered. “You’re not having alcohol tonight. Period.”

  “Yes, you can be drunk on Griffin once he gets you upstairs,” Braden taunted.

  “Knock that off right now, Braden!” Dad was at his limit. Mom’s appearance had clearly thrown him. He wasn’t alone. Of all the people I expected to walk through our front door tonight, she didn’t even make the top ten. “Leave your sister alone. Griffin is right. You’ve been going after her for hours. Enough is enough.”

  “Yes, because Aisling is so delicate and has to be protected,” Braden snapped. “She’s always your favorite.”

  “I’m rarely his favorite,” I protested. “Did you hear the car theft story? He wasn’t proud of that. In fact, he told … .” I realized it probably wasn’t wise to bring up Serena in front of my mother and changed my story midstream. “Dad thinks I’m a royal pain in the butt.”

  Dad narrowed his eyes as he regarded me. He didn’t miss the obvious shift. “Aisling is definitely a pain in the rear end,” he said after a beat. “She is my favorite today, though. She’s injured. When she’s injured, she gets to be my favorite.”

  “Aw, thanks, Dad.”

  Dad smiled. “Don’t mention it.”

  “She’s always injured, though,” Braden argued. “That hardly seems fair.”

  “Why are you injured?” Mom asked, turning her attention to the bandage on my arm. “Did this one hurt you?” She inclined her chin in Griffin’s direction. “If so, I can handle that for you.”

  “Do you really think I would hurt her?” Griffin asked. His voice was level, but I could tell he was offended. “That’s not my style.”

  “Griffin would never hurt Aisling,” Dad said. “If he was prone to that he’d be dead and we’d have a new hole in the backyard. You know very well I would not allow my daughter to stay with a man like that, so I don’t know what you’re trying to do with that line of questioning. You need to stop.”

  Mom flashed an insincere smile. “You’re right. That was very wrong of me. I’m sorry.”

  “Apologize to Griffin,” Dad ordered.

  “I’m sorry, Griffin.” Mom barked out the words as if someone attached a chain to her tongue and dragged her behind a truck until she uttered them. She clearly wasn’t happy.

  “I don’t think your mom likes me,” Griffin whispered.

  “I wouldn’t worry about it,” I said. “I like you.”

  “I like you, too.” Griffin rubbed his nose against my cheek. It was obvious he was doing it to annoy Mom as much as romance me. I was pretty sure I was starting to be a bad influence on his behavior.

  “Yes, this is just odd,” Mom said, shaking her head. “How can you let this go on under your roof, Cormack?”

  “Aisling is an adult and she’s going to do whatever she wants,” Dad answered. “I tried to make them sleep in separate beds, but that lasted exactly one night. Then I found everyone in Aisling’s bed because they were playing shark attack. No one wants that racket again. At least they’re quiet when they’re holed up in the same room. That’s my biggest concern.”

  “Ooh, shark attack,” Jerry sang. “We should play that next.”

  “I’m game,” Redmond said.

  “Aisling is going to bed once your mother leaves,” Griffin said. “She’s exhausted and her arm is messed up. No shark attack tonight.”

  “You’re just saying that because you can’t fish,” Redmond challenged.

  I kept one ear on the conversation and my eyes on Cillian as he whispered something to Maya. She nodded and got to her feet, briefly locking gazes with me before disappearing down the same hallway Serena walked only a few minutes earlier. Cillian pursed his lips when our eyes met and I knew exactly what he was doing. He was worried about Mom seeing Serena and he sent Maya to keep her in the bathroom until we could get rid of Mother May I Sleep With Dead Things.

  “She’s still going to bed early,” Griffin said. “I’m just as tired as she is.”

  “Oh, it must be so nice to have a man order you around, Aisling,” Mom drawled. “I’ve never been prouder.”

  “Leave her alone,” Dad snapped, leaning forward. His eyes blazed. “She was attacked by gargoyles today and she required stitches. She’s been through enough, and if you continue poking at her in that manner, I’m going to throw you out of this house. I don’t care if the gargoyles eat you.”

  “Technically, this is still half my house,” Mom pointed out.

  “Except you’re only half alive, so that’s not really true, is it?” Dad clearly wasn’t in the mood to play Mom’s games. “What are you doing here, Lily? No one invited you. While we’re at it, how did you get in?”

  “I walked through the back door,” Mom replied, her tone clipped. “It was quite easy. I turned the handle and pushed open the door. Voila!”

  I didn’t believe that for a second. Dad was a stickler for locking doors during a crisis. “You know, since she insists on visiting without calling first we could always give her a regular room of her own,” I suggested, shrinking when I saw Dad’s withering look. “I was talking about the cell in the basement.”

  Mom growled as she scowled. “I am not going back into that cage.”

  “Well, there went my fun for the night,” I sighed.

  Dad smirked. My attitude gave him fits, but when I directed it at other people he couldn’t get enough of it. “That’s too bad. After sock hockey, a rousing game of taunt the prisoner in the basement would’ve been the perfect end to a perfect day.”

  “You’re not impressing me with your snark,” Mom said. “All you’re doing is annoying me.”

  “It’s about time,” I said. “We’ve been trying to do just that for ten minutes.”

  “Yes, well … .” Mom rubbed her lips together before continuing. “I understand that a reaping family has gone missing. The Grimleys, correct?”

  Dad shrugged. “I’m not at liberty to discuss internal office matters with outsiders.”

  “Griffin is here,” Mom pointed out.

  “He’s not an outsider,” Dad said. “He’s part of the family.”

  Mom swallowed hard as she worked her jaw. I could tell she wanted to pick a fight about Griffin, but it was obvious that wouldn’t end well for her. “Yes … well … I guess that’s your decision. I’m not here to talk about Griffin. I’m here to talk about the Grimleys.”

  “The Grimleys are none of your concern,” Dad said. “You’re not a part of this … equation.”

  “Dad!” Braden was incensed. “She’s our mother.”

  “And she’s still your mother even when she’s not involved in the business,” Dad shot back. “She has nothing to do with our business. That’s not a request, it’s an order.” Dad was deathly serious as he stared down Braden. “Do you understand?”

  Braden balked. “I … .”

  “It’s fine, Braden,” Mom said, resting her hand on his arm. “Your father is doing what he thinks is best for all of you. I applaud that. The only problem with his logic is that everyone is talking about the Grimleys going missing and he can’t keep me out of the business in this particular instance.

  “There are whispers, Cormack,” she continued. “People say that the Grimleys are dead – well, all except for a teenaged girl. Those whispers also say that Aisling was seen with a girl fitting her description a few days ago. That means you’re all targets if someone wants to grab that girl.”

  “Well, we don’t have the girl,” Dad lied smoothly. “Do you see her? Do you think we’d be having a spa night if we took in a displaced girl? I’m aware of the rumors about the Grimley girl, but if people are saying we have her they’re lying.”

/>   My father was cool under pressure. I had to give him that.

  Mom turned to me. “Why would people say you were with the girl if it’s not true?”

  I shrugged. “I have no idea,” I replied. “You’ll have to be more specific about the timeframe. I go out on a lot of jobs every week. I see people all of the time. Some of them are even girls … although I honestly spend more time with boys. Can you describe her?”

  Mom narrowed her eyes. She never fell for my lies when I was a kid. I didn’t expect her to now. That didn’t mean I would suddenly start spouting the truth and put Serena at risk. “She was blond and wearing a dark hoodie. Supposedly she’s been killing wraiths.”

  “That doesn’t sound familiar,” I said. “As for killing wraiths, though, I applaud that. I think we should make that the next Grimlock game. Instead of sock hockey, we’ll play wraith bowling.”

  “Oh, now that’s a game,” Redmond enthused, bobbing his head. “I like the way your mind works, sis.”

  Mom swiveled to glare at her first born. She was always tight with Redmond when we were growing up. Perhaps it had something to do with him being the first baby she ever held. I couldn’t be sure. She clearly didn’t like his attitude now, though. “Are you saying you have no idea where the girl is?”

  “There are only three girls in this house right now,” Redmond answered evenly. “Aisling – although she’s only half a girl because she thinks like a guy – is the big one. Maya is here, too, but she wisely snuck to the bathroom when you came in. You make everyone nervous.”

  “Wait … why am I the big one?” I asked, affronted. “Are you talking about my hips?”

  “I was talking about your personality.”

  “Oh, well, carry on.”

  Griffin smiled as rubbed the back of my neck. His eyes never left Mom’s face. No one trusted her, but he was especially on edge whenever she made her presence known.

  “And who is the third?” Mom pressed. “You said there were three girls in this house.”

  “You,” Redmond replied, not missing a beat. “That’s three.”