Sins of the Innocent - Jamie McGuire Page 0,4

could tell if she was keeping something from me was to listen to her heart. Right now, it sounded like a hummingbird was in her chest.

“I told her it couldn’t have been, Nina,” Bex said. “But she’s sure of what she saw.”

“Well,” Mom said, returning to her potatoes, “just because you’re an immortal doesn’t mean you can’t be wrong.”

“Fine,” I said, crossing my arms. “But if it were a druden … what does it mean that they keep coming around?”

She shrugged. “They’re probably attracted to you, Eden. You know how this works.”

“They’re coming around more often. Sometimes in groups.”

Mom made a face. “Drudens are reclusive. Don’t be silly.”

“Why are they coming out during the day? They’re just … observing. Why would a druden do that?”

“I don’t understand,” Mom said, exchanging a quick glance with Grandmother.

“He was just hanging out,” I said, leaning against the wall.

“Stand up straight, dear,” Grandmother snapped.

I stood. “But he’d just been downstairs. He had a stank on him that I haven’t smelled in a while.”

“Resist the slang, please,” Grandmother said.

“Downstairs?” Mom asked.

“Hell,” Bex clarified.

Mom swallowed. “Definitely a goblin then. They typically hop back and forth.”

“It wasn’t a …” I let my arms fall. “Are we really going to do this? I’m not a child. Just tell me what it means.”

Mom looked to Bex, but he shook his head.

“Honey, just be patient. Graduation is in a few days, and then—” She noticed my expression. “What is it?”

My eyes widened, and an automatic smile stretched across my face just when the door flew open.

Aunt Claire yelled from the foyer, “Edie!”

I turned on my heels, flew through the dining room, and crashed into her. She threw her arms around me, and when we fell to the floor, she locked her legs around me, too.

“You’re home!” I said, squeezing her until her breath caught.

“Easy!” Ryan said, laughing from the doorway. He set down two duffel bags and crossed his arms. “I don’t want to be nursing broken ribs all evening. Again.”

I crawled up to stand and hugged him, too, making sure to be gentle. He was a lot more fragile than Claire.

“When did you get in?” I asked.

“Just now,” Ryan said, taking off his ball cap and pulling it down on my head, low over my eyes. “You sent us an invite, didn’t you?”

“Oh,” I said, watching as Mom and Claire hugged. “It’s just a high school graduation. I didn’t think you’d actually come.”

“It’s not just anything,” Mom said.

My milestones, both human and angelic, were all important to her, but she would emphasize the importance of celebrating my humanity. Otherwise, she’d said, how would I know what I was fighting for?

Mom hugged Ryan tightly and then patted his cheek. “Glad you’re back. First course will be served in ninety minutes.”

“Good to see you, Nigh. They let you leave the office, huh?” Ryan asked, a dimple sinking into his cheek when he smiled down at her.

I knew he’d loved her once. He’d still look at her in a certain way but not the same as when he looked at Claire. He had an appreciation and respect for my mother. Ryan adored Claire. He’d silently celebrate every smile, every breath, every familiar mannerism, much like the way my dad worshiped my mother. That kind of love had stopped existing sometime after I was born.

“I’m off this week,” Mom said, pointing at me with a stirring spoon. “Lots of happenings going on.”

Dad appeared in the doorway, holding a sack of groceries. “Looks like a sports car convention outside!”

“Daddy!” I said, running to him.

He caught me, grunting a bit to prevent me from knocking him over.

I always had a special love for my dad. Where other girls’ fathers were their heroes for general reasons, mine was actually a hero. He had saved my mother and me more than once. He was stronger than anyone I knew—except for me—and he let me hug him as tightly as I wanted.

I kissed him, and he set me on my feet.

Mom sauntered across the room, slowly reaching her hands up his chest and interlacing her fingers behind his neck. “Hello, Mr. Ryel.”

“Mrs. Ryel,” he responded with a smile, leaning down to kiss her.

My top lip curled up. “Ick.”

“Agreed,” Claire said, nodding toward the dining room. “It amazes me that you’re their only child.”

“Ew. Stop,” I said, shaking my head.

She sat across from me at the long oak dining table.

“Tell me everything,” I said, settling in for as many Claire stories as she would tell.

“You first,” she said. “What