Turn Darkly (11 page)

“Check. See you tonight.” The phone went silent, and Regan laid the roll of tape down on the dining room table, trying not to be annoyed with the movers for being early when she was running late.

Unlocking the deadbolt, Regan opened the door. “Lily?”

Regan had no hope of stifling the utter shock in her voice. Her mouth hung open as she looked at the beautiful, dark haired woman standing in her doorway. Lily was dressed in a pair of faded fitted jeans, brown leather flip flops, and a lavender color V-neck t-shirt.

“Hi.” The woman nervously chewed the inside of her cheek. “I’m hoping you invite me in, or I have really overestimated my position.”

“What?” For all of her education and intelligence, Regan had suddenly gone dumb. “I mean - sure, of course.” Stepping back, she watched in amazement as Lily walked through her door and back into her life.

Looking around, the dark haired woman nodded. “I like your apartment.” Seeing the boxes, the corners of her mouth turned down. “You’re moving?”

Regan realized she was still standing in the open doorway, and nodding, closed the door. “Yes. I’ve been accepted for a residency at an observatory in the Canary Islands for a year.”

“Wow. That’s - that’s great.” Lily managed a weak smile as she shifted nervously from foot to foot.

The tension in the room was suffocating, and Regan had no idea what to do about it. “Ah, can I get you something to drink?” Shaking her head, the woman rubbed the back of her neck. “Strike that. What are you doing here?”

Lily sighed deeply. “I left Howell. You were right. I didn’t owe the past my future. I couldn’t go through with any of it, and once I made that decision I couldn’t stay.”

Regan smiled. “That’s wonderful.”

Nodding, Lily put her brown leather bag down on Regan’s couch. “I found you on the internet, and wanted to thank you for talking me through that craziness.”

Regan walked toward the couch, and gestured for Lily to sit next to her. “What about Trent?”

A slight shudder shook the dark haired woman. “The night you left was awful. He was out of control, and nearly rabid with rage and blood lust.” Regan took Lily’s hand in hers, reassuringly stroking it with her thumb.

“Did he hurt you?” Regan braced herself for the response.

“No, but only because he couldn’t see and could barely breathe after his run in with your pepper spray.” A mischievous glint flashed across the woman’s blue eyes.

“When did you leave?”

“Nearly two months ago.” Sighing, Lily sat back on the couch. “I took my half of everything, and left.” Shrugging, she stared at the floor. “Maybe he’ll find me someday. Who knows? He has some things to hold against me, that’s for sure.”

Regan couldn’t help but ask the obvious question. “How are you managing the full moon these days?” Remembering the cell in Lily’s basement, Regan couldn’t imagine what the equivalent would be while the woman travelled.

Lily grinned. “It’s not very respectable, but I travel with a large dog carrier. The hotel staff is always perplexed when I arrive with the cage, but no dog.”

Regan laughed. “Effective.”

Lily moved closer, her knee touching Regan’s. “I’ve missed you.”

Regan’s chest felt tight, and her mouth was suddenly dry. She had spent the last few months not trying to forget Lily, but hoping she was safe and happy. Now, seeing the woman was clearly thriving, Regan felt her choice to help Lily had not been in vain.

“I’ve thought about you a lot, too. I had hoped you would leave, and be happy somewhere.” Regan cupped the woman’s warm cheek in her palm.

Turning her face, Lily’s lips found Regan’s hand. “Thank you.”

Pulling Lily to her, the two women embraced. Being near Lily again sent a wave of joy and delight through Regan. Leaning back, Regan wiped at an errant tear as it rolled down her cheek. Mustering her courage, she cleared her throat. “How do you feel about islands off the coast of Africa?”

Lily grinned as a short laugh escaped her, tears filling her eyes. “I’m up for most anything these days.”

A smile overtook Regan’s face as she looked affectionately at the woman in front of her. She didn’t know if they would last forever after, but she was going to enjoy the journey regardless of the destination.

Also by Heather McVea:

Waking Forever Series

Waking Forever #1
- April 2013

Ela: Forever
#1.1
- December 2013

Becoming Forever #2
- January 2014

Dying Forever #3
- August 2014

About the author:

Heather McVea was raised in a small town south of San Antonio, Texas. Prior to escaping to the big city, she raised Hampshire pigs, rode motorcycles at entirely too young an age, and once snow boarded behind a Ford pickup truck. She relishes a strong gin and tonic, but leans after three. Shiny twinkly things make her cringe, up to and including Hollywood vampires.

Heather and her wife have three fur babies, and are drinking their way through all of the distillery tours in Texas. In between pints and the occasional Tanqueray Ten on the rocks, Heather is working on a standalone novel slated for release in February 2015 set in Baltimore.

Follow Heather on
Twitter @HMcVea