Chapter 255: Sassafras

I think Mom guessed the same thing at the same time I did. She gasped, one hand reaching toward the young man. He actually backed up a step, gaze dropping to the floor, a twisted and uncomfortable look on his face. Sassafras understood it the moment we did.

"It's not my fault." So odd to hear that voice out of a human mouth. His whole body tensed, sneakered feet shuffling on the floor. My brain flickered to a million questions, one of them asking where he'd found clothes. I didn't recognize the dark striped shirt he wore, the deep denim jeans. "I tried to help, I swear it."

"He did," Dad whispered. Our attention swung back to him as he smiled at Mom, a soft and loving expression. She cried out, a small sound, hands stroking his face. He looked so ordinary, so normal, I realized how much his power had maintained his demon appearance, even as reduced as he had been. My Dad now looked like any other dad-still handsome, still tall and broad, but ordinary.

That fact struck me like a blow