16
Two Weeks Later
Marissa and I became fast friends even against my better judgment. It was going to take a stronger person than I to be able to resist the allure of an adorable baby like Clint Sikes. The new mom had some trouble healing, possibly having to do with the species of the baby. According to my sister, Marissa's downstairs looked like a "tragic trainwreck". I didn't ask for details. But it was going to be two weeks before Marissa could be moved. The day before we were supposed to take her, I'd stopped by her house to give her a break from baby duty. When she came out of the restroom from a shower, she was dressed in yoga pants and a tank top. She collapsed onto the couch and smiled as I cooed at Clint.
"Hey, Marissa?"
"Yeah?"
"Did Lucas tell you what I was?"
She tilted her head in surprise. "He did. Why?"
"I don't often gift out readings, but I was wondering if you wanted one. You have some big changes coming up. Plus I didn't get you a baby gift."
Soft laughter warbled from her. "A crazy pregnant lady accosts you in the grocery store and strong arms you into taking her to a creepy mansion in the woods and you worried about a baby gift?" She grinned brilliantly. "I can see why you got under Lucas' skin so much." She sat up. "But yes, if you're offering, I would love it."
I stood and handed the baby back to her. "Maybe put him to sleep first and we can get started. It takes quiet and concentration for me."
"Two impossible things for a new mom." Marissa snuggled the baby and I looked away as she began to breastfeed him. I didn't have a problem with nudity or breastfeeding or anything of the sort, but it always felt like I was intruding on a private moment, so I tended to look away or leave the room. I took out my phone and checked my schedule for the next few weeks.
Several minutes later, baby Clint was fed, burped, and passed out in the bassinet in the next room. Marissa had set up the baby monitor just in case. I pulled her up a seat so she could face me and I took her hands. I shut my eyes, took several deep breaths, and after a moment I slipped into the alpha state where my visions could come through.
Sometimes I asked people questions before I did a reading. Sometimes, in cases like Marissa's, I let whatever needed to come to me, come. The first thing I noticed was the darkness. I was in the woods somewhere, and I could sense people all around me. There was a cabin in front of me with a truck parked outside. The lights were on inside and there was a fire crackling in the fireplace. I struggled to see more of the inside. To my right, people began to speak.
"When is she due here?"
I turned my head and noticed a powerful man with a rifle slung over his shoulder. "Soon. The birth of the baby is imminent. She will need to be moved soon after before other creatures can sense the presence of the child."
"And you're sure this is where she'll come?" I couldn't make out the details of this man. It was dark and his face was in profile. He was tall, but built like a tank.
The other man shrugged. "Best case scenario. This cabin was built by her husband just for this purpose."
"You'd best hope so. If we lose her, it will be your ass."
"We won't. I knew Sikes very well. He would have planned for a contingency like this. It was pure luck we stumbled on this."
I held my breath even though I knew they couldn't see me. My gaze scanned the tree lines, revealing at least two other armed people.
The cabin was surrounded.
I opened my eyes.
"Marissa, you cannot go to your husband's cabin. It's surrounded right now by armed personnel. No idea who they are. You're going to need to find another place to stay."
Marissa's eyes widened with fear. "What am I going to do?"
I shook my head. "I think you should call Lucas right away. He has the resources to help."
She nodded and with shaky hands produced her cell phone. When he answered, I stood and walked to the other side of the room to try to give her a semblance of privacy, but I could still hear what she said.
"Lucas, the cabin has been compromised."
Marissa fell silent and I could hear Lucas yell through the line. When Marissa took a deep breath and her shoulders fell, I had a terrible feeling I knew what happened.
"I called his parents," she said.
"YOU DID WHAT?" That was Lucas, completely enraged.