CHAPTER FOUR-THE DIARY

The incoming arrival’s whistle pierced through the wobbly reality of the mansion, making way for the brilliant spark to punch through. A foul blast of brimstone swept from the portal then through the calm, checkered foyer, warning all who dwelled there that the fiery twins had returned.

A wicked, squealing wind wailed in their ears as the house built up around them again, block by block. When the black-and-white floor rose to meet the slick bottom of her shoes, the breath of life rushed into Tessa’s lungs again. “Move!”

She pushed away from Teddy’s grasp, and the clicks of her heels were like a hundred tiny horses galloping across the foyer as she raced to the mirror.

While he shook the moist remains of his mist away from his hands, Teddy pointed his finger at his sister. “You know, our parents spent the evening planning your future with that boy, Tessa. For a girl who doesn’t believe in being fated to someone, you sure seem to be knee-deep in the old religion right now.”

A silly grin curled came to her face, and she tried her best to push it back as she lifted herself on her tiptoes and examined her reflection. “Stop it! They did not.”

After he fumbled with his bow tie, he pulled it free from his neck and flung it at her. “Oh, yes, they fucking did. I sat there and listened to every goddamn word. I nearly fell out of my chair when I heard someone wanted to marry your hateful ass.”

He leaned against the hall table and watched her marvel at her reflection as a sigh came from his mouth. “What in the Sam Hill are you doing?”

“Do you think I look any different now?” Not seeing anything new, she twisted her lips and shook her head. “Daddy said I would, but I don’t see it.”

Never knowing a romance of his own, he raised his brows and chuckled to himself because he couldn’t fathom what she was asking. “Yeah, you look a lot dumber if you ask me. Did that fool suck out all your brains when he kissed you?”

“You’re just jealous because you didn’t find your mate tonight.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she arched her brow and turned on her heel as she walked toward the stairs. “Kiss my ass, loser. I’m going to bed.”

While she stumbled down the hall and smiled to herself, her lips pulled together, and she whistled their song, still drunk on the flavor of Rafik’s mouth. “Mrs. Tessa Idrissi. Oh, that’s so beautiful.”

The bathroom lights snapped on, and a shot of memory yet made passed through her vision. Her stray psychic abilities dropped brief hints of things to come sometimes, but never enough to be helpful. “We’re going to live in a castle? Sweet!”

She stood in front of the mirror and brushed her teeth as she replayed the night in her head. The weakness in her knees returned as she rubbed her fingers over her lips, remembering his soft touch.

Tottering and twisting her way through her bedroom, she stopped to turn on the radio that sat in her window. When she noticed the pink book with a bow attached lying on her bed, she clapped her fingertips together. “Hot damn! Early present.”

On her way to the balcony, she slid her finger into the card and flicked it open. ‘You are old enough for secrets now but trust no one enough to speak them. This is the only safe place to let them free.’

“Thank you, Momma.” With a wiggle of her fingers, the doors opened, and she shuffled to the metal bistro set outside. She slumped down at the table while the night breeze blew the scent of her to the street below.

With his heart in a million pieces, Rafik wandered through the park and swore never to rest until he saw her face again.

Her sweet essence brushed his skin, and his fingers reached out into the darkness and snapped. The red orb of light rose from his palm and illuminated the air around him as he demanded it to do his bidding. “Take me to her now.”

The purple, sparkly pen that her mother tucked into the ribbon slid across the pages easily as she told her diary her first grown-up bit of juicy gossip. “I met my mate tonight. He’s so handsome. Yours Truly, Mrs. Tessa Idrissi.”

After she drew the wedding dress she wanted made and scribbled her name in every combination possible across the first few pages, her eyes blinked up to the bright, white moon above the park.

With her hands clasped together in humble sincerity, she apologized to the Fates for every cruel word she ever uttered to them. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not worthy after all the shit I said about you, but I think I’m a believer now. Thank you for Rafik.”

Behind the light of the street lamp that faced her door, he pushed his fingertips across his cheek and wiped away the tears.

The poisoned words of his father still fresh in his mind, he grabbed at his heart and rolled his teary eyes up to the moon that he caught her praying to. “Please protect my darling one until she is with me again, I beg you.”

A soft whimper fell from her lips as she slapped her hand across her mouth and yawned into the night. As her little balled fists stretched over her head, Rafik snapped off the light, not wishing to disturb her.

When she gathered her things against her chest, he matched her steps as she walked to the door. He pressed his fingers to his lips and prayed that all the moments that followed for her would be peaceful.

She spun around the bedpost and flung herself down on her soft, white down blanket. “Mrs. Tessa Idrissi.”

While the twangy first notes of their song seeped through the speakers, she giggled to herself, and her eyes rolled over towards the moon poking through her curtains as she caught the kiss and brought it to her lips. “I’m thinking of you too. Goodnight, Rohi.”

The stroll back to his home seemed longer now, with so many horrible thoughts in his mind. If she needed him, he would be so far, and he hated himself for it. His conscience getting the best of him, he shoved his hands in his pockets and turned back.

Before the first step of his foot reached the sidewalk, a hand slapped down on his shoulder. The teary-eyed boy tried to twist from his father’s grasp as he frantically backed away. “Let me go! She needs me!”

His hands encircled his son’s cheeks as Omar’s knees dipped to look into his eyes. “The wheels are already in motion, Rafik. You must be patient.”

With quivering lips, he pushed his fingertips into his chest, and his warbly voice asked for guidance. “How can I just leave her there? Any of them? What if he…” Unable to even speak the ugliness into existence for fear it would happen again, Rafik pinched his eyes closed. “We have to save them.”

His father rubbed his hair and pulled him into his side as he led him down the brick sidewalk to their home. “We will. It will all be over soon.” His treachery seeds were planted deep within his son’s pure heart, and Omar watered them with his false affections. “You are a good son and a better man, Rafik. I realize this isn’t easy, but you will see that it is for the best. Jasper’s reign of terror is over.”

The smooth cotton of his jacket sleeve sucked up the tears from his eyes when he wiped it across them, and his lips wiggled no matter how he tried to push them shut. “Thank you, Father.” He glanced back over his shoulder in time to see Tessa’s light go out, and then his eyes met Omar’s. “I’ll do it. Whatever you need of me, I’ll do it. Just save her.”