Read Online Seraph of Sorrow by MaryJanice Davidson - Free Book Online

know these things exist.”
    “I know, too.”
    Although he was lying by omission, her smile made him feel better. “I love my husband, but he doesn’t believe me. Rob moved us here to humor me, because he got tired of my ranting and raving. He still ignores the evidence. Once I was diagnosed and began radiation treatments, he wrote off my claims as hallucinations. I think he’s convinced Susan of that, too.”
    “Susan seems like the kind of girl who can make up her own mind.”
    “Maybe . . .” Heather bit her lip again. “Jon, I wonder if I could ask you a favor.”
    Unsure if he would enjoy it, he still couldn’t bring himself to say no. “Name it.”
    “After I’m done. If you could check in on her, from time to time. Make sure she’s okay.”
    “I’m not sure what you—”
    “Even in this town, she’s in danger,” the sick woman continued. “But you’ll know what to look for. You can warn her. Maybe help her, if she runs into trouble.”
    The urgency in her voice made him shift uncomfortably. “Heather, if it’s protection you want for your daughter, this town is full of—”
    “There are soldiers in this town, I know. That’s why we moved here. But I don’t know any of them, Jon. Some of them aren’t very friendly. And if she gets hurt, the doctors here can be cold—” She stopped herself too late. “Oh, I don’t mean your wife—”
    “She can certainly come across that way,” he agreed with a faint smile. “They all can.”
    “I’m trying to say, I trust them . . . but I don’t trust them. Ugh, that doesn’t make sense.” She swallowed and gritted her teeth, gaze flitting across the ceiling tiles before settling on him. “I mean, I didn’t grow up with them, like you and I grew up together. I trust you .”
    He had trouble meeting her intense gaze. “I haven’t done anything to deserve that trust.”
    Her hand covered his. “You’ll help me, won’t you?”
    He could see the fear in her eyes—not of the death that drew close, but of what might close around her daughter after she was gone. This mother did not want to leave the world not knowing if her child would be safe.
    He thought back to the day this woman had been a girl, scared by a foolish boy in a small room. Back then, he had held the door closed. Could he open it and let her leave now?
    “Of course,” he answered her. “I’ll keep an eye on Susan for you, Heather.”
    What happened to her body was alarming to Jonathan—it appeared as though it deflated, like a balloon letting out air. Yet she was smiling with relief. “My angel. Thank goodness you found me, Jonathan Scales. I didn’t know where to turn.”
    “Your husband really doesn’t understand?” Jonathan tried to imagine how a man could move to Winoka and not learn about werachnids, or dragons, or the soldiers who hunted them.
    “If you knew Rob . . .” She sighed, not looking at him or anything else in particular. “He’s not one for facing the truth. Not one for facing . . . this.” She gestured to her emaciated shell.
    Ah, Jonathan thought. He’s hiding. If he doesn’t visit, it’s not really happening. He also recalled Heather’s own mirrored behavior, in keeping her daughter away. Try as he might, he couldn’t condemn either adult’s behavior. Denial was a natural human instinct, used by people who had little or nothing to do with dragons or werachnids.
    “I’d better go and let you rest.” He stood. “It was good to see you again, Heather.”
    Her chuckle evolved into a cough, and her face attained an alarming plum color before she got herself under control. “Sweet of you to say so, Jon. Thank you. I’m so happy you . . .” Her voice lilted, as though entering a dream. “Did I say this already?”
    Jonathan was backing toward the door. He felt equal parts guilty, foolish, and sorrowful.
    “Good-bye, then.”
    She was already asleep, and did not hear him speak or leave.
    Less than a week later, she was dead.

    J Plus