Sins of the Innocent: A Novella Read Free Page A

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 the hell was a druden doing in your classroom in the mid-afternoon?”
    Mom and Dad sat on each side of me, both of them unhappy with my aunt.
    Bex stood at the head of the table, amused, his arms crossed. “C’mon, Claire.”
    Claire was unfazed. “If she’s got drudens coming out during the day, what else is hanging around her?”
    “Does that mean something’s happening?” I asked, looking to each of my parents.
    “Claire,” Dad said in a warning tone.
    Ryan sat next to her. “You should be honest. That was always the plan.”
    “What else?” Claire asked, looking to her little brother.
    Bex shrugged. “I’m not sure. It’s fuzzy.”
    “ Fuzzy? ” she asked. “Aren’t you supposed to be the demon whisperer? Isn’t that why you’re in charge of the royal spawn?”
    Mom fidgeted. “Can we not? Everyone’s home. It’s a special week. We have eternity for this.”
    The room became quiet.
    “Okay … what the hell is a druden?” Ryan asked.
    Mom covered her eyes. “Ryan!”
    “Nightdwellers,” Claire explained. “That creepy feeling you get in the dark? Probably a druden staring at you. They’re mostly satellites. They wait until