Inferno of Darkness (Divisa Huntress #2) - J.L. Weil Page 0,3
just the three of us,” Chloe said cheerfully, setting the open cartons of food onto the table. She sometimes exaggerated to compensate for my shitty mood, as if she was hoping to infuse me with happiness through food or by osmosis. She meant well and cared for me. I couldn’t fault her for that.
“He should just move in with her already,” I replied, scooping a forkful of noodles out of the white carton as I took a seat.
Dad scooted the chair out beside Chloe and sat down. “Don’t get my hopes up,” he mumbled. My time away had aged him. More gray hair gathered in his scruffy chin hairs and at the temples, but he was still attractive for a dad.
My older brother, Travis, still lived at home, much to my father’s chagrin. And mine. Travis was understanding, sometimes to a fault, yet continued to be a constant thorn in my side. I knew he stayed to look after me, but he seriously needed to start living his own life. Prior to my kidnapping, he had been talking about moving in with Emma, his longtime girlfriend and one of my best friends. He and I were going to have a little chat. Travis could no longer put this on the back burner. If my trip to the underworld taught me one thing, it was not to waste time. You never knew when it was all going to be ripped away from you, including the people you cared about.
And I loved my brother. I wanted him to be happy, and his demon-hunting girlfriend did just that.
“I’ll talk to him,” I announced, grabbing an eggroll and a packet of sweet and sour sauce.
Dad glanced at me and blinked, an expression of surprise on his features. “I think that would be good.”
A pang hit me in the chest; remorse, regret, take your pick. My emotions were a revolving door, but I saw the hope in his eyes. He wanted his daughter back, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him she was gone. I tore open the package of sauce, averting my eyes to my plate. There was only a small portion of food on it, just enough to make it look like I was eating.
“How about you? Are you ready to get back to school?” Chloe asked, spinning a bundle of lo mein noodles around her fork.
It was reasonable for them to expect I’d pick my life back up where I had left it before being abducted by the Wild Hunt. That I would go back to college, get my degree, get a job—all those human responsibilities. That was the normal avenue into adulthood, but nothing about me was normal. And I was coming to realize that I didn’t want to live a normal life. I’d never really had one, so why start?
I shoved a small pile of rice around on my plate, trying to figure out how to tell them what was on my mind. “I’m not going back to school,” I announced. Winter break was almost over, and everyone assumed I’d be returning to college.
Nope.
Chloe’s mouth dropped open.
And Dad frowned, staring at me like he was trying to figure out if he’d heard me right. “You only have one year left.”
Due to my absence in the middle of a semester, I had to repeat those classes, but after my stint in the Court of Darkness, I had no desire to return to school. Like, ever. I had more important things on my agenda, which were best kept to myself… for now. The last thing I wanted was to give my dad more gray hair. The man looked as if he’d aged ten years, but who could blame him. He had lost his only daughter for months.
“I know. I’m just not ready to go back,” I admitted, my shoulders slumping.
“Maybe it's best she takes the year off, Devin.” Chloe stepped in, being the supporting stepmom she always was. She patted Dad’s hand, offering him an encouraging smile. “She’s been through a traumatic ordeal. A few more months at home would do her good. Do us all good.” She turned that smile on me. “We love having you at home.”
“You are always welcome here, Lexi, but it might be healthy to get back into a routine.” Dad voiced his thoughts. “However, if you think you need more time, I support your decision.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I let them both think that there was hope I’d eventually go back. There wasn’t. I had no intention