Chapter 267: Family First

I tossed and turned for a while, the moonlight pouring in my bedroom window making it almost impossible to sleep. At least, I blamed it on the moonlight. Much better than admitting I couldn't get the crumpled disappointment on my mother's face out of my mind.

I hated letting her down.

One thing I knew, I wasn't waiting any longer for some window of opportunity dictated by Theridialis. One look at my father was enough to tell me I had to cross over with Sassy right away so he could be tested. Meira was fading quickly, her demon power feeding Dad's life force. Her dear little face looked older, lined, her skin sinking into the crevices around her bones.

I wanted to go back right away, but Mom talked me out of it.

"Not after sundown," she said, face pinched with fatigue and worry. "Never after sundown. Promise me."

Whatever. I had a feeling her fear was grounded in superstition and not fact, but agreed anyway if just to make her feel better.

So sleep first. Yeah, right. Sleep. Like