In the van, Charlotte shifted in her seat, yawning deeply. What little sleep she'd gotten during the long drive brought only sad dreams. Fragments of the previous night, mixed with Angel's story, felt like thorns pricking at her heart. When she was awake, she couldn't bring herself to talk to him. Instead, she focused on the anticipation and anxiety of meeting Cassie for the first time.
When he parked and explained his plan to talk to his sister, their brief moment eased much of her tension. Feeling another yawn coming on, Charlotte gave in. The pull of sleep was strong, and this time, she didn't think it would lead to another nightmare, so she let go. Resting her head against the window again, she let the warmth of sleep wrap around her.
She was unsure how much time had passed when a gentle tap on her window woke her. Opening her eyes, Charlotte saw Angel's smiling face and couldn't help but smile back. She unlocked the door and lifted the handle.
He pulled it open. "Are you ready?"
Nervous, she ventured, "I think so?"
He offered his hand to help her down to the cobblestone sidewalk. "Be brave, Charlotte. Cassie has already promised to do everything she can to help. Though she did ask why I brought you here and not to a doctor."
"What did you tell her?" she breathed.
"Just enough to confuse her," he mysteriously answered with a chuckle.
She blinked at his mysterious non-answer. But she would soon find out for herself as Angel led her inside. Closing the outer door behind him, he guided her down the hall and up the stairs to his sister's apartment. Opening the door, he ushered her inside, shut it behind them, and brought her around the couch toward the kitchen, where Cassie stood from her chair to greet them.
He made formal introductions. "Cassie, this is Charlotte. Charlotte, my sister Cassie Collins."
Charlotte felt her cheeks flush as shyness overwhelmed her, causing her to lower her gaze. Cassie had a warm and inviting presence, but there was a power—an essence—emanating from her that earned immediate respect.
Taking her hand, Cassie beamed with sincere warmth. "It's such a pleasure to meet you, Charlie."
Charlotte bristled at the shortening of her name. Unconsciously, a pulse of demon energy flared beneath her skin, and she looked up with a polite yet bold expression. "It's Charlotte," she corrected softly.
Cassie's smile wavered. The hairs on the back of her neck rose, and an unseen tinge of electric force traveled between their joined hands. She glanced at Angel, who was watching the exchange with keen interest.
Letting her hand go, Cassie controlled her voice, showing no reaction to the momentary energy spike. "I'm sorry, sweetie. I didn't mean to offend."
"It's okay." Charlotte shrugged, dropping her hand. She'd felt the surge as well.
Turning to Angel, Cassie's forehead wrinkled in contemplation. "You said she has memory problems? That she can't remember anything before the night you found her?"
"Yes." He felt the tension in the room rise.
Keeping calm, Cassie scratched her chin. "Since you came to me, you're open to some of my more 'creative' ideas."
"Anything that can help Charlotte, we're open to," he confirmed, his gaze shifting between the two women. Both seemed slightly wary of each other now.
"In that case, would you help me gather some items from the shop?"
"Gladly." He gave Charlotte a look as she shuffled her feet.
Cassie nodded. Addressing Charlotte, she controlled her expression and offered, "There's water and some fruit on the kitchen table for you. Have a seat, and we'll be right back, okay?"
She nodded silently, glanced at Angel—who nodded reassuringly—and went to the kitchen.
As Charlotte sat at the table, Cassie signaled for him to follow her. Once they left the apartment, she hurried down the stairs, removing a key from her waist pocket as she approached the side door. Quickly, she unlocked it and ushered him inside.
He stepped into the shop's new location for the first time and quickly took in the details. The air hung thick with mingled scents of sandalwood, sage, and something mysteriously floral he couldn't identify. Ahead and to his right sat an ornate glass case with a matching glass-top counter, its edges etched with delicate Celtic knots. The antique brass register perched on top looked like it had witnessed decades of transactions. Within the case, an array of jewelry caught the warm amber lighting—silver pentacles, moonstone rings, and crystal pendants that seemed to pulse with their own inner light.
To the right of the counter stood four towering bookshelves, their dark wood worn smooth by countless hands. Cassie had arranged the volumes artistically rather than methodically—ancient leather-bound grimoires stood spine-to-spine with modern paperbacks on herbalism, while others were displayed face-out, their mysterious titles promising secrets: "The Language of Stones," "Lunar Correspondences," and "Elemental Divination."
Beyond the bookshelves, a single step led down into the heart of the store. Here, ornate wrought-iron display stands showcased an alchemist's dream: dozens of glass jars filled with powders in every conceivable hue. Emerald green sat beside bottles of deep crimson blood resin. Shimmering gold dust caught the light next to earthy brown powder, and pale lavender filled another jar. Each container was meticulously labeled in Cassie's flowing script—some in English, others in symbols he didn't recognize.
A round oak table displayed an extensive collection of incense—bundles of white sage tied with hemp cord, Nag Champa sticks arranged in a fan pattern, and cone incense in tiny brass holders shaped like lotus flowers. The neighboring table held a whimsical collection of handcrafted dolls and figurines: fabric poppets with embroidered faces, small wooden goddesses with flowing robes, and tiny ceramic dragons that seemed almost ready to take flight.
The entire space was bathed in warm, earthy tones—the walls painted in deep forest green, while display cases gleamed with rich mahogany stain. Rainbow-colored silk scarves draped gracefully from the ceiling, catching light from strategically placed crystal prisms that cast tiny rainbows across the merchandise.
Copper wind chimes hung in corners, their gentle music creating an almost hypnotic atmosphere. Near the front entrance stood a centuries-old grandfather clock, apparently broken, with the time stuck on 3:07 a.m. Replacing its duty was a digital clock's white glow, which read 12:49 a.m., hanging above the front door's entrance.
It took him about fifteen seconds to absorb these details, his trained mind cataloging each element with the precision that had served him well in the military. He knew he could recall nearly every nuance of this mystical sanctuary if needed.
While he checked out the store, Cassie turned and pushed the door shut, locking it behind them. She stared at it for a few seconds, gathering her thoughts, then spun around. Her eyes were filled with a mix of fear and wonder.
She hissed quietly, "Kevin! Do you have any idea at all what you have up there?"
He was impressed and knew he'd be making a lot of apologies soon. But for the moment, he feigned ignorance. "What do you mean, sis?"
"I felt power. Real supernatural power from her. She's not human!"
He cringed at those last words, regret gnawing at his heart, but followed up with a question. "Does she feel evil to you?"
Cassie blinked. It took only a second for realization to sink in. Accusatory, she spat quietly, "You know!"
"I've known since the first night I found her."
Closing her eyes, Cassie sighed. "You were testing me."
"I'm sorry, sis. I know it was a mean trick, but yes. My faith, beliefs, and everything I've always thought I knew have been thrown in a blender, and I wanted to see how you'd react to her. I owe you years of apologies." Kevin paused and nodded. "But yes, Charlotte's a demon."
Cassie looked up in awe. A demon was sitting at her kitchen table, sipping ice water. She thought of their meeting and holding her hand. Cassie saw her blush with shyness, but she was also very bold when defending her name. None of it felt off. None of it felt bad. None of it felt evil.
"I felt power—raw power—more than anything I've ever felt before, and trust me, I've dealt with a lot of power over the years. But did I feel evil?" She dropped her gaze and looked squarely at him. "No. I don't feel any of that. But the power surge scared me. I didn't know you knew, so I had to get you out of there."
"I firmly believed all that before coming here, but your affirmation is a relief." He felt slightly lighter. "With her amnesia, all she remembered at first was her name. The demon thing? That was accidental. However, she's been steadily evolving and learning to harness new powers and skills over the past few months. We don't know what else she has yet to discover."
"Months? You told me you—"
Cutting Cassie off, he held his hands up apologetically. "I lied. I didn't want to have to explain too much before you met her."
The puzzle pieces were rapidly coming together. Her brother may be the smartest Collins in the family, but Cassie was a very close second. She'd been curious about some of his missions and reports, and now she understood the significance. "She's the reason you've been clearing missions so quickly. She's been helping you."
He nodded. "She saved the boy in the river, the girls at the house in Virginia, and helped me apprehend some rather nasty perverts."
"How is it that no one has discovered her yet?"
"Invisibility is one of her gifts."
"Wow." Cassie whistled. "I mean, I know a great deal about demonology, but I've never dealt with this kind of thing before, nor have I ever considered that one could feel so pure." She paused, appraising him. "But I have to ask: Do you think it's a good idea for her to rediscover herself? What if, by unlocking her memories, we release something darker? Something malevolent?"
Blowing air out between pursed lips, he clicked his tongue. "I thought that too, sis, but she had every chance to kill me the first time she turned. If you'd heard her scared voice coming out of that thing—the fear of rejection?" He shook his head firmly. "And you said it yourself—you don't feel anything evil in her. You know I value facts over feelings when making decisions, and I plan for every possible contingency. But for this, I'm going on gut feeling here, and it tells me to trust her. Can you help her?"
"I don't know." Cassie went silent. He waited, and after a moment, she took a deep breath. "But I promised you I'd try, and I will." She paused again, thinking. "With a normal person, I'd use my crystals, some natural remedies, and meditation techniques, but this is a whole new world for me. Give me tomorrow to see what I can come up with for her."
"Take as long as you need. We need some downtime after all these months. I'll take her out shopping and exploring tomorrow. I think she'll love the chance to let loose after what happened last night." His meaning was doubled, but Cassie assumed it was just the loss of the girl and nodded.
"Great idea. I'll text my assistant to see if he'll come in on his day off so I can visit my coven and find out anything they might know. Perhaps some of my books will hold answers as well. If not, I can also commune with the Frequencies."
His relief was palpable. "Thank you, sis."
"You know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you, Kevin." Cassie drummed her knuckles on his forehead playfully. "But I didn't expect you to come to me with something like this. Next time, just ask for another loan?"
Chuckling, he rubbed the spot she'd tapped. "Now that you mention it?"
"Me and my big mouth." Cassie shook her head humorously and started for the door. "I'll help, like always. But right now? I'd like to meet the real Charlotte."
"I'm sure she's wondering what's taking so long. Unless she's been listening in."
Pausing, Cassie looked up. "Super hearing, too?"
He nodded. "Among other gifts."
Whistling softly, Cassie led him back upstairs.
At the kitchen table, Charlotte stood as they arrived, bringing the tension back with them. Cassie swiftly approached her, extending her hand once more, and Charlotte hesitantly accepted it.
"Charlie." Cassie grinned warmly, mispronouncing her name on purpose this time. She was intrigued by seeing the demon's black eyes flicker with a hint of red. She felt her power pulse and continued, unfazed. "Kevin's told me everything. I'm sorry for the tense moment earlier. But I'm truly delighted and honored to meet you."
Charlotte gave Kevin a questioning look. He nodded back to her, giving her the answer that 'everything' meant everything.
She turned back to Cassie. "You're not afraid?"
"Kevin's not. So why should I be?" She grinned warmly. "I did feel your power when we touched, and I was naturally concerned. It's why I whisked him away to find out what he knew. But the fact is, the power I'm sensing in you is pure. You may be a demon, but I'm confident that the real you is not evil. We'll find out either way when we recover your memories."
Sniffling, Charlotte lowered her head, her eyes growing moist at the corners. "I'm scared," she admitted softly.
Instinctively, Cassie opened her arms and pulled her into an embrace. It was a brave move, especially since she'd just discovered the young woman was an actual demon. The act of trust broke Charlotte, and she wept softly against Cassie's shoulder.
Softly patting the back of her head, Cassie comforted her. "I know you're frightened, sweetie, but try to have a little faith. We'll figure this out."
Afraid she'd start sobbing again if she spoke, Charlotte just nodded.
Relieved that the tension in the air had faded, Angel cleared his throat, catching his sister's gaze. "I haven't been here since you moved, and I didn't ask how many bedrooms you have since I kept Charlotte a secret, but…sleeping arrangements?"
Cassie smirked as she brushed Charlotte's hair with her fingers. "It's obvious. I get my room, Charlotte gets the guest room, and you—"
"Couch. Right. At least it's not a pair of chairs."
Her eyebrows lifted in amused curiosity. "I'll get you some blankets and pillows. Feel free to shower before bed. I took mine earlier. There's plenty of hot water for you both in turn. I'm going to retire now so I can be up at dawn to text my assistant and start on research."
"Sounds good to me," he agreed.
Cassie placed a gentle kiss on Charlotte's forehead, then lifted her chin to look her in the eyes. She spoke with comforting warmth. "Let your mind be free tonight, hon. Let go of your worries and dream wonders."
Wiping the corner of her eye, her lips trembled slightly. "I think I can. Thank you, Cassie."
"You're welcome, sweetie." Stepping back, Cassie pointed down the hallway. "Your room is located at the end of the hallway on the right, and the bathroom is on the left. The room is already made up, so just make yourself at home."
Walking to the hallway closet, she pulled out two blankets and pillows and handed them to him. "There's more in the closet if you need them, lil brother. Don't touch the kitchen—I'll clean up in the morning." She reached up and playfully mussed his hair. "Now, I'm off to bed. Goodnight, both of you."
Angel patted his hair down while giving her a wry smile. "Good night, sis."
"Good night, Cassie," Charlotte added softly.
Once Cassie was in her room, Charlotte turned to Angel. "You can shower first. I'll go check out my new room."
He shook his head. "I'm going to get some of our stuff out of the van and then get some much-needed sleep. You go. I know you love losing yourself in the hot water until it's gone. You can have the longest, hottest shower you need, okay?"
She wasn't sure if she wanted to lose herself in the hot water again for a while, but she was thankful for the chance to wash away some of her hurt. But another pain wouldn't be soothed. She realized that tonight would be her first time sleeping alone.
Before leaving him, Charlotte stepped forward and slipped her arms around his waist. She squeezed firmly, sending him a silent signal that she forgave him. He squeezed back in acknowledgment.
"Good night, Angel." This time, her voice was soft and tender, with a mix of sadness and hope.
"Good night, Charlotte," he answered in kind.
She broke the embrace and, with a nod, headed toward the bedroom.
Angel waited until he heard the door close, then went downstairs to gather some luggage, his duffel bag, and a few chocolate bars from the cooler. Once back in the apartment, he carried the luggage to the bedroom. Before entering, he could hear the shower running, and he smiled softly. Entering, he placed the luggage on the dresser by the bed and laid the chocolate bars on the pillow, hoping they would give her a sense of normalcy.
Moments later, he stood by the couch, glanced toward the bedroom, and sighed softly. Memories of the previous night flooded back, reminding him of how he'd hurt her feelings—and, in doing so, his own. He hoped he'd made the right choice by bringing her here.
Plopping onto the couch, he kicked off his boots and socks and snuggled under the blanket. As he rested his head on the soft pillow, he sighed dramatically, hoping it would relieve the tension from the drive. Luckily, sleep was generous this time and swiftly welcomed him into dreams.