Xuri’s Spectral Removal

There weren’t many unique powers anymore in the magical world. Only unique people. For the Grove Family, their children, Jai, Xiomara, and Xuri, each possessed a special power outside their elemental ones. Families with more than one special power weren’t unheard of, just rare. Jai read minds. Xiomara saw the future. Xuri communed with the dead.

After Xuri’s years of magical education, she had her own freelance business, Xuri’s Spectral Removal. It wasn’t much for a name but she did well. She had steady customers, a few realtors and some vampires who had a knack for becoming haunted by their dinner. Most of her business came from the family members of the newly departed. It was tedious work but it paid the bills.

Xuri was leaving her office when she stopped on the top of the staircase, “What could you possibly want?” Her arms crossed firmly over her chest as she stared down at a familiar face.

“Your sister said you could help,” Blaine stared up at the petite woman with his usual gruff disposition.

“With what?” She shot back.

“The only thing you’re good at…”

“Ain’t happening.”

“Why’s that?”

“You’re dating my sister.”

It took a moment for it to register on the other’s stoic face. When it did, his eyes rolled. “The other thing you’re good at; the ghost thing.”

“You should’ve been more precise then we could’ve avoided that whole mess.” She let out a slight chuckle. “Come back tomorrow.” With that Xuri headed down the stairs and waited for the massive man to move.

“It’s urgent.”

“Not urgent enough for me.”

“I’ll pay double.”

“I have things to do.”

“Triple.”

Xuri tossed the numbers around in her head. “Triple my usual rate plus supplies.”

“Deal.”

“Okay. What’s the problem?”

“I think it’s better if I show you…” Blaine offered Xuri a hand to transport them to his room at the St. Anthony Estate.

It was exactly how Xuri pictured it, dark, clean, and orderly. He seemed anal retentive. She was glad she wasn’t wrong. Xuri hated being wrong. “What’s the problem?”

“Give it a second.” They stood there waiting in silence. Xuri looked around. But there still was nothing. “What the fuck…”

“Well,” Xuri rocked on her heels, “if there’s nothing you owe me one fifty.”

“You didn’t do anything.”

“Fifty buck consultation fee,” she flashed a quick smile before patting Blaine on the chest.

That was when a shrill scream shook his room. Pictures were knocked off the shelves. A large painting fell from its posting on the wall. A woman dropped down from the ceiling and her cries only grew louder.

“Shut up!” Xuri shouted and the woman looked at her.

“You can see me?”

“Yes.”

“Can he see me?”

“Odds are that he can’t.” Blaine looked confused as he heard one side of the conversation.

“He’s still so handsome. So heavily tattooed but so handsome.” She sighed as she got closer to his face.

“Okay lady. Well, you need to leave.”

“I can’t leave. I need to protect him.”

“Who are you?”

“Constance Goodworthy.”

Xuri repeated the name and Blaine dragged a hand over his face. “That’s my old nanny. She died when I was like ten.”

“He remembers me,” She swooned.

“Yeah.”

“What is she saying?”

“You remember her.”

“Kind of hard to forget. She tried to kidnap me. Hiriam had to have her killed. She wouldn’t let me go.” Blaine recalled the memories of the woman.

“I only wanted to protect him,” she wailed. “Tell him!”

“She only wanted to protect you.”

“Is that why she’s here?”

“Yup.”

“Tell her I don’t need her protection.”

“No!” Her scream shook the room once more. “You need me!”

Xuri pinched the bridge of her nose. “Look,” she squared her shoulders, “he’s a vampire. He doesn’t need your protection. So, move on with your afterlife.”

“No!”

“You leave me no other choice.” Xuri pulled a crystal from her bag. The spirit moved away from it as it was placed on the bed. “Yeah, don’t like that, huh?”

Xuri whipped out some smaller crystals and scattered them around the room. From the jagged edges, each crystal sent a white rope of energy to trap the difficult spirit. Each rope grew tighter and tighter the more the woman fought them. With a gentle shove, Xuri moved Blaine out of her way to finish the job. Her eyes closed and her powers pushed through the air. It latched on to every crystal and forced Constance from the living world.

Xuri’s powers were spent more than she anticipated. She released the magic and her body crumbled toward the floor. Blaine scooped her up and placed her in his bed.

When the young elemental came to, there was a tray of food beside the bed where she was neatly tucked away. She pushed the sheets away and swung her legs over the side. As her feet hit the floor, Blaine appeared. “Seems like the youngest Grove isn’t as infallible as she likes people to believe.”

“That spirit was strong.”

“I gathered that,” Blaine gave a cheeky smirk. Xuri replied with a jab to the softer meaty bits of his side. Blaine waited for the shrill cry of an obsessed former nanny. But silence ensued.

“You’re welcome.”

“Thank you,” he said with ample amounts of sass.

“I expect my payment in full by the end of the week.”

“It’s already taken care of,” Blaine produced a check from his pocket. “I added more in for your troubles.”

Xuri nearly collapsed at the zeros on the check he handed her. “Aren’t you a generous patron?”

“I’ve been dealing with that for far too long. I’m showing my gratitude.”

“Well, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Can I go now?”

“Did you want to eat?”

“Mind if I take it to go? I really did have plans when you came to my office.”

“Hot date?”

“You can say that. Gideon Westerbrook.”

“That twat?” Blaine barked out a laugh. “Well, take what you want. Have fun. Please don’t procreate with him.”

With a shrug, she took a handful of cookies and half of a tuna fish sandwich for the road.

__

Gideon Westerbrook stood at a modest five-foot-eleven with a mop of blond that framed a handsome face as Xuri approached. His expression was anything but happy as he stared at her. “What’s the excuse now?” His tone was unamused at best.

“Work,” she replied.

“Did you break your phone as well?” He asked as she stopped in front of him. Xuri exhaled. The question was one he often asked. It usually followed with, “do you even respect my time?”

To which she answered with, “yes. I do.”

“You have an awful way of showing it.”

Xuri lightly grabbed his collar with her eyes locked on his. “Look,” she tugs him closer, “I’m here. We can either bicker out here or head inside. I’ve had a long day and a definitely prefer the latter.”

The man’s brow quirked as the corner of his mouth tugged in amusement. He hated that his affections were one-sided. He genuinely liked Xuri and wanted to see where a relationship could go with her. On the same note, he was very aware of her feelings for another. He hoped that he would fill the absence of the other more than as a hook-up. He held on to the idea that maybe over time, she would see him the same way he saw her.

“Come on in,” Gideon stepped aside as he held the door open.

While most of the magical community stepped into the modern era, elves did not. They hung on to their old ways. Gideon, who grew up splitting time between his elf mother and his human father, had an odd mix of the pre-industrial era and turn of the century tech. His living room screamed modern with a recliner sectional and fi ty-five inch flat screen television. Meanwhile, his kitchen had a large fireplace with a contraption to maneuver the cauldron back and forth into the flames. Within the old school of the kitchen, a tall stainless steel refrigerator stood awkwardly. The sight was something that made Xuri laugh every time.

“You must be hungry,” Gideon commented as he stopped at the stainless double doors.

“I ate before I left.” Gideon shrugged. “The job was a big one. So, I had to eat something before leaving.”

“What was the job?”

“Blaine had a ghost haunting his room,” she said plainly.

“That’s no surprise.” Gideon wasn’t the biggest fan of the St. Anthony brood. As one could guess, schools that catered to the needs of the magical were scarce. Gideon just so happened to go to the rival school of Xuri. When it came to sports, they were ruthless toward one another. Which bled into their adult lives, the St. Anthony men and Gideon hate each other. Xuri finds it stupid. However, everyone else does not.

“It paid well,” Xuri shrugged leaning against the wooden countertop. “Are you going to stand at that fridge all night or what?”

“What’s the other option?” He asked cheekily.

“Wouldn’t you like to know…”

___

Xiomara had a lot to say about a lot when she saw her sister. Everything was mentioned from the spirit to Xuri’s plans with Gideon. “Can ya leave it alone?” Xuri sounded annoyed with her sister.

“My little sister slept in my boyfriend’s bed. I am not leaving it alone.”

“Do you have a cause for concern? A vision that would make you wary of this occurrence?” Xuri sat cross-legged on her own bed as she spoke with her roommate-slash-sister.

“No.”

“Then leave it.”

Xiomara, flustered and annoyed, threw up her hands and huffed herself away.

__

Xuri was lucky enough to be summoned by Hiriam. Having someone like him call upon her services would give her the boost she needed to bring her business to the next level.

“Xuri!” Hiriam greeted her with his usual flamboyance. “You’re here!”

“Hiriam…” she mocked him with a less enthusiastic show of excitement. “I’m here.”

“Come,” he motioned toward a small table, “My ward told me you’re the woman to go to for this kind of problem.” Xuri gave Hiriam a furrowed brow as she sat down. “Blaine, dear.”

“Oh!” She felt dumb. “He did?”

“His exact words were ‘she’s a bitch but she knows her shit.’” Hiriam chuckled.

“How sweet?” She muttered.

“That’s as sweet as he’ll ever be,” Xuri had to agree there. In all the years, she’d never known Blaine to share a kind word.

“What do you need?” Xuri reached for a fancy cut sandwich and took a large bite while waiting for the man to reveal his request.

“I have a ghost problem.”

“I gathered that.” Then, she shoved the rest of the sandwich in her mouth. “What kind of ghost problem?” She asked as she chipmunked a large piece of food into her cheek.

Hiriam cringed at the sight. Which gave Xuri a moment to roll her eyes and swallow the contents of her cheek. When he was done internally screaming, he answered. “I accidentally killed something rather vengeful.”

“Accidentally?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

Hiriam gave a sigh, “I’m not proud of it.” There was a moment of silence for dramatic flare. “I was driving home while a companion of mine pleasured me. I wasn’t paying attention and hit the creature. Now—“

“You killed something while getting road head?” Xuri laughed as the question left her lips.

“Road head?” The term puzzled the man. It took a moment for it to click. “Yes, that is what happened.”

“What did you hit?”

“A banshee.”

“Fuck.”

“Indeed. You can do it, can’t you?”

“Yeah. It’s gunna cost you. They’re damn near impossible to get rid of when they are in a corporeal form. You’ve made the most insane bitch into a spectral being.” Xuri stuffed her face. It was going to take everything she had to get the job done.

After they ate, Hiriam brought Xuri to the car that did the deed. It was an old Model-T. Hiriam had bought it off the assembly line. It was kept in pristine condition until the fateful night. The front end looked like an accordion and the roof buckled and bent.

“Let me guess,” Xuri looked at her watch, “we have to wait for sundown?”

“Which is in a few minutes.”

Xuri looked at her watch, “look Banshee, come out. I don’t have time to waste.” There was silence. “Listen, Screech, hurry the fuck up.”

The lights flickered and the piercing noise of a banshee’s wail ripped through the air. She appeared before Xuri. Her ghostly breath struck the elemental in the face and blew back the black and silver locks. Hiriam didn’t have to see the spirit to hear it or know what was going on.

Xuri reached out and caught the banshee by the throat. The move silenced the creature. However, it caused for her to flail. Xuri whipped the creature into the destroyed vehicle and pulled a vile from her bag.

“Special banshee vanquishing water?” Hiriam asked as he stayed safely on the sidelines.

“Yes.”

“Really?”

“No. It’s Dead Sea water.” She poured it down its throat and watched the creature writhe uncontrollably before bursting into a fine mist.

“That was easy.” Xuri glowered at Hiriam suggestion that was she did was easy. “Do you usually carry around Dead Sea water?”

“Yeah. It’s naturally purifying. Most stubborn spirits are vanquished by it.” Xuri dusted off the leftover banshee dust. “I’ll send you my bill.”

“Okay. How much do I pay you?”

“Ask your ward about my fees…”

Later that week, Blaine showed up at Xuri’s office. “Got my money, St. Anthony?”

“You know it.” He slapped a check on her desk.

“Next time there’s a banshee haunting your pseudo-dad, recommend someone else.” She took the check and slipped it into her desk.

“‘Thank you, Blaine, for getting me business.’ Oh, you’re welcome, Xuri.” She rolled her eyes at his version of how their conversation should’ve gone.

“Asshole.”

“I am what I eat.”

She cringed at his reply. “That’s disgusting. You…”

“Don’t knock it until you try it. Your sister loves it,” Blaine made a crude slurping noise.

“Get out.”

“How’s Gideon?”

“None of your business.”

“Clearly not eating ass like he should.”

“Get out, Blaine,” Xuri waved a hand and the door flew open.

“Just gotta spread them and get up in there,” he flicked his tongue as he backed out the door.

“You’re disgusting.” Blaine laughed as the door slammed in his face. Xuri would never understand the attraction her sister had for the man. Ever.

__

Gideon was boring but served a purpose. Xuri’s long time love was Abram. He was the elder brother of Kali, her sister’s friend. He was brooding, handsome, and a known murderer. The last bit was due to his other nature. He was a werewolf. It didn’t make Xuri love him any less. Whenever he blew into town, she was at his side.

The relationship wasn’t approved by the Grove family. Xiomara made that known the second Abram’s name was mentioned in town. “Xuri,” Xiomara was preparing for a long-winded lecture on Abram and why he was horrible for her.

“You’re dating Blaine. You have been for years. Shut the fuck up.” Xuri slammed the bathroom door and cut off Xiomara before she could get out the rest of what she was about to say.

Everyone was going out to celebrate Abram’s return. It was the usual routine. They met at a bar and Abram made his big entrance.

Xuri was swept into a big embrace. His lips met hers as a clawed hand came around to firmly take a handful of her rear. A dark chuckle left her lips as their bodies met for the first time in six months. His eyes lowered onto hers and a smirk flicked in the corner of his mouth, “I plan on seeing you later.”

“Why later when we have now?” She bit his bottom lip and let it snap back.

“I wish. But I have business tonight.” Then she was released. “Later?”

Xuri snarled. “Fine.” He gave her a slap on the ass and headed to a different group of people.

“Some boyfriend,” Blaine slipped beside Xuri as she sat at the bar, alone.

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Clearly.”

“What do you want?”

“To pick on you.”

“There you go. Are you done?”

“Someone is pissy.”

Xuri slammed back a shot of tequila and stormed off.

She blasted through the back door and kicked the first thing in sight. The metal container rang. She found something else to inflict her fury upon. She turned around and was met with Blaine’s curious stare. “What?”

“Don’t let me stop you. I came to ensure the lives of innocent civilians.”

“Fuck you.” She snarled.

“I’m not the one pining over the most promiscuous creature to walk the planet. That’s you, Sugar tits.”

“My sentiments remain the same. Fuck you.”

“Don’t come at me because of your poor choice in men.”

“And what shall you have me do? Gideon?” Blaine huffed a laugh. “Exactly. Mind your own damn business.” She turned to find something else. She continued down the dark alley and muttered as she went.

Blaine was silent as he followed from a safe distance. Xuri almost didn’t notice he was there. The spirits that lurked nearby let her know. “Go away.” He ignored her. Xuri stopped and exhaled slowly. “I don’t need a babysitter. I can handle myself.”

As cliché as moments could get, Xuri took a step and tripped over wood. Blaine moved quickly and caught the woman before real damage could be done. A snarl was given as she pushed away and kept walking.

Finally the silence was broken. “What is wrong with me?” She whipped around to ask Blaine.

“A lot.”

“Enough that I’m just a play thing?” Tears could be seen as they welled up in her eyes. The naked eye would’ve missed it. Blaine was a vampire. He could see the faintest of lines in the least amount of light. He watched as the tears teetered on the edge of her eyelid.

“No. Not enough for that,” He said as honestly as he could.

Xuri’s hands clasped over her eyes as tears streamed down her face. Blaine didn’t know what to do. He stood there and let Xuri cry.

Xiomara wasn’t happy when she saw Xuri return with Blaine from a dark alley. But she could tell nothing suspicious occurred. She deflated and took her man back. It left Xuri alone. That was something she didn’t mind. Blaine was silent company at best. She didn’t want his jeers, either.

Abram left town and Xuri along with it. She could cry all she wanted about the nature of their relationship but she never did anything about it. So, nothing would ever change.

That was until a month later when Abram returned to town with someone at his side. The news travelled quickly. Kali told Sybil. She told Xiomara. Then Xiomara told Xuri. No one wanted to be the bearer of bad news to the young Grove but someone had to do it. Xiomara entered her sister’s room with caution.

“What do you want, Xio?”

“Uh,” Xiomara leaned against the door frame. “Xu,” she waited for her sister to look up. “Abram is back in town.”

“So soon?” Xuri looked puzzled. “Why do you look like someone kicked a puppy?”

“He has a woman with him.” Xuri’s face set into a firm line. “They look close.”

“Close?”

“Like intimate close...”

There was silence as Xuri summoned spirits to gather information for her. They quickly returned with answers she didn’t like. “Get out.”

“Xuri...”

“I said, get out.”

Xiomara let Xuri stew in her anger alone. It was the best thing anyone could do. Xuri had a temper but not like Xiomara. It was best left to seclusion. Where Xiomara needed to let out her rage, Xuri needed to bottle it. She seethed and plotted. Her next move would be precise and well-executed.

When she was ready, she went to the local hang out and found Abram with his new travel companion. “Xuri!” His voice boomed.

His arms were open to embrace the woman but instead of their usual greeting she swung and struck him in the jaw. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” She summoned spirits to hold back the woman who was trying to lunge at the angry elemental. “You have twenty-four hours to get the fuck out of this town or you’ll wish you never uttered the name Xuri Grove. Do you understand?”

“Do you think your ghost parlor tricks are going to scare me, little one?” Abram rubbed his jaw as he looked at the attention she drew from the room.

“Do you really want to test it and find out?”

Abram cleared his throat and backed away. “You have an hour.” A familiar voice spoke. “Gather your bitch, and your bike, and get the fuck out of my town.” It was Blaine who gave the command. “What are you waiting for? Tick tock goes the clock.”

Abram and his new piece of ass ran away with their tails between their legs. The result was what Xuri wanted but she wanted to be the one who scared Abram. She didn’t want Blaine to do her dirty work. She stared up at the colossus of a man before her. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“But I did.”

“I wanted to be the reason he left.”

“Does it really matter?”

“Yes.”

“Too bad. My way worked better.”

“Screw you, Blaine.” She turned away but he caught her by the arm, “let go.”

“You’re welcome, Xuri.”

“Thanks for nothing,” she spat the words out as she yanked her arm away.

Xiomara was fastly approaching when Xuri made her way through the bar and took the long way home. “What happened?”

“Nothing. You look nice.”

“Thanks,” Xiomara gave a turn to let Blaine get a full view of her outfit.

__

The Grove Sisters weren’t having much luck with relationships. Xiomara blew up half of the house when she returned home from being dumped by Blaine. Xuri stayed out of the way and called Sybil for the details.

“He said he was falling for someone else,” Sybil spoke over the phone. “He didn’t give Daniel a name and Daniel couldn’t possibly think of a woman it could be. Either she’s new in his life or that’s a lie.”

“Blaine never struck me as a liar,” Xuri replied.

“Same. He’s as honest as honest gets. Sometimes, too honest.” They laughed in agreement.

“I’ll let you know how she’s doing in a little. As of right now, we are most definitely not getting back our security deposit.” Xuri paused as the shattering of plates commenced.

“Xu,” Xiomara grumbled as she backed her way into the room carrying a box. “Bring this to that sack of shit. Tell him I don’t want a single thing from him. He can give it to the new bitch he’s falling for.”

Xuri peered into the box Xiomara dropped on her bad. “Aye, I liked borrowing that necklace.”

“Keep it. Give it back. I don’t give a fuck. Blaine St. Anthony is dead to me,” Xiomara snarled as took her leave. Xuri looked into the box and heaved a sigh. It was a box of nice things. Why couldn’t Xiomara keep them and save her the trip? However, Xuri was feeling the sisterly spirit. She decided to help for once.

Xuri arrived at the St. Anthony Estate shortly after leaving the ruins that was once her place. She knocked on the door and waited with box in hand.

“Hello, Madame Xuri,” one of the household staff members answered the door. “Who are you here to see this evening?”

“Blaine.” The man’s brow perked at her answer. “I have stuff for him. I can leave—“

“I take it Xiomara doesn’t want anything from me,” Blaine appeared out of nowhere like he usually did.

“Nope. She said, and I quote, ‘he can give it to that new bitch he’s falling for’.” Xuri shrugged. “So, take the box so I can get out of here.”

“You have on the necklace.” Blaine took the box and noticed the light glinting off the pendent she wore around her neck.

“I get to keep it.”

“Because?”

“I borrow it from Xiomara.”

“But you said she said I can give it to the new girl.”

“Everything but this. I get to keep this.”

Blaine smirked.

Xuri didn’t trust the smirk. She never trusted when a man smirked. “What’s that look for?” Blaine shrugged and turned away. “Blaine!”

“Do you really want to know?” Xuri nodded. “Either way, you’d get the necklace.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Think about it Xuri…”

The conversation replayed in her mind. When it clicked utter confusion washed over her face. “No. Why? No. You can’t. I. Nope. Take it.”

Blaine placed the box down and walked to stand before Xuri. “Keep the damn necklace. It’s not an engagement ring. An engagement ring from me would be far bigger and much more expensive.”

“You can’t fall for me. My sister has been in love with you for years.” Xuri stated a fact. Xiomara had pined over Blaine for years before he finally gave her a chance. Xuri didn’t even like him like that. She couldn’t. It was Blaine.

“I didn’t ask for it, Xuri.”

“Neither did I.”

“So keep the damn necklace.”

“I’ll keep the necklace.” Her grey eyes glared up at the icy blue of his. “You keep your feelings to yourself.”

“Fine.”

“Bye.”

“Bye, Xuri.”

__

Xuri was grateful that they were all out of school. She didn’t have to face the awkwardness of Blaine in the halls. She had work. She had clients. She could delve into her work and not re-emerge for several weeks.

That was until Blaine came knocking. He entered her office and was met with a snarl and a glare. The stand-off lasted for several minutes. Neither broke the silence as they held each other’s gaze. Xuri’s eyes went back to her work and Blaine turned in his heels to leave. Xuri stole a quick glance up as she heard the door click shut.

Unlike her sister, Xuri didn’t have a close knit network of friends to confide in. Her brother was the only other person she ever dared to trust. Her own parents pretended she didn’t exist. She had to process what happened with Blaine on both accounts on her own. Jai would certainly side with Xiomara. Everyone sided with Xiomara.

Perhaps that’s what made the whole situation difficult for her. She couldn’t tell if the curiosity was because someone finally picked her over her perfect sister. Or if Blaine was really that interesting for her to risk causing a rift with Xiomara. It felt good knowing that Xiomara’s sorrow was created by herself. It was unintentional, of course. But it still felt wonderful.

Xuri decided to visit her brother. Jai was an office man. He worked for Grove Investments, the family business. He wasn’t allowed to use his powers in his line of work but he didn’t need them to excel at it, either.

Everyone knew the Grove children. Xuri didn’t visit often but her face was easily discernible. Her black and silver locks were unique enough to be recognized the moment she entered the building. “Hello, Miss Grove.”

“Hey, Riley. I’m here for Jai.”

“He should be in his office. I’ll send you up.” The older man called for the elevator and gave Xuri a sweet smile. He was nice to her. Most of the staff was. It was her parents that lacked any sign of emotion toward their daughter besides indifference.

The elevator ride was quick. Riley made sure it was direct. The door dinged and Xuri stepped into a bright sea of cubicles. The employees were stuffy and uptight with their business attire. Xuri wore tattered black jeans and a flowing white top. Her tattoos were peeking out at every given chance. Her hair was in a messy bun which exposed the screaming face on the back of her neck. She loved every mark of ink on her body. The disgusted looks never bothered her.

“Sister!” Jai shouted from his office doorway. He wore a pressed white shirt and a slim red tie that accented the red streak that cut through his beautiful raven locks. Xuri sped through the office to reach her brother and his shiny shoes. “What brings you?”

“I need brotherly advice.”

“On?”

“I’m here. It’s bad.”

“Come in,” Jai stepped aside to let Xuri enter his office. His youngest sister never sought any kind of counsel. She was fiercely independent. She figured everything out on her own.

“Before we start,” Xuri crossed her arms and plopped into a seat, “do not read my mind. This is not an open invitation.”

“Deal.”

“Okay.”

“So, what’s so bad you need my advice?” Jai sat at his desk and leaned back in the chair.

“Xiomara and Blaine broke up.”

“This I know. Mom and Dad are pretty bummed about it.”

Xuri rolled her eyes before continuing. “You know why they broke up?”

“Yup. Some harlot bewitched Blaine into falling in love with her,” Jai said in Xiomara dramatic fashion.

“I’m the harlot.”

“What?” Jai was just as confused as she was. “You?”

“I didn’t know until after.”

“What didn’t you know?”

“I didn’t know he had any feelings for me. I didn’t know he had any feelings. Period.” Xuri clamped both hands over her face.

“So, you’re telling me Blaine dumped Xiomara because he had feelings for you that you only knew about until after?” Xuri nodded. “That’s messed up.”

“What do I do?”

“Do you like Blaine?”

“I don’t know.”

“Do you love Xiomara?”

“Of course,” Xuri’s hands dropped as she glared at her brother.

“I know you love Xiomara. You two have a strained relationship. As your brother, I don’t want to see an even bigger rift between you two.” He drew in a deep breath and exhaled. “As the future patriarch of our family, I would encourage seeing what can come of Blaine. Mom and Dad were hoping Xiomara would seal the deal with him. He’s a St. Anthony.”

“So, what you’re saying is that our family name is worth more than Xiomara’s happiness?”

“I’m not saying that. I’m saying to see where it goes. What if nothing comes of it?” Jai was trying not to read Xuri’s mind but it was so tempting.

“And if Xiomara finds out? Can I send her to you?”

“Yes. Send her to me. I’ll set things right.”

Later that night, Xuri stared at her phone. She never texted Blaine before. She had his number for years but never sent a single text message. Not even a text about her sister was sent. Nothing.

An hour went by and the message she typed out continued to be unsent. “Hi.” It sat there as she fought herself on sending it.

“Xu,” Xiomara pushed the door open. “Want to watch a movie?”

“Sure,” Xuri quickly sent the message and left her phone behind.

The movie started and Xiomara sat down with a bowl of popcorn. “Did you burn it?” Xuri asked.

“It’s the new microwave. I can’t get the timing right.” Xiomara shrugged.

“Shouldn’t have blown up the last one,” Xuri muttered and reached for a handful.

They watched the movie in silence. Xuri hated romantic comedies. They were the worst thing to ever happen to cinema. Real life didn’t work like that. Real life was messy. Everything was messy.

“I always had visions of Blaine with kids.” Xiomara commented as the on screen couple passed a family. “I always assumed they were with me.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know. Hope? Foolishness?” Xiomara sounded so defeated. “He hasn’t started dating anyone else.”

“How do you know?”

“Sybil.” Xiomara’s best friend was a cause for concern. If Xuri was seen there, Sybil would tell Xiomara.

“Right.”

“I know it’s not Becca. She’s in Europe with her family. Rumor has it she’s engaged anyway.” Xiomara knew all the gossip. Xuri wondered how she would hide hers.

“Who do you think it is?”

“He has a type.”

“And that is?”

“Becca. Me. We both are tall, pale, obsessed with the color green.” Wrong, Xuri thought. Maybe he has a thing for the underestimated younger sister. That seemed more accurate. “I’ll find out eventually. He’s bound to bring her around sooner or later.”

“Better later,” Xuri said plainly.

“I could use a good fight.” Xuri shook her head. Xiomara was no match for her sister. Xiomara was powerful but Xuri had death on her side. Death never lost a fight.

Xuri checked her phone when she got back to her room.

“Hi” was the only missed message. So personal.

“Wyd?”

“Absolutely nothing.” He replied quickly. “You?”

“Watched a crap movie with my sister.”

“Sounds like shit.”

“Cause it was.”

There was radio silence for a minute. “I take it you’re not busy now?”

“Free.”

“Good.”

“Why?”

“Cause I’m coming to get you.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Too late. Meet me outside.”

“No! I’ll meet you somewhere.”

“…”

“Corner of Locke and Grenada.”

“It’s raining.”

“I’ll bring an umbrella.”

“I’ll be back,” Xuri shouted as she snatched an umbrella and ran out the door. Xiomara shouted back but Xuri missed whatever she said.

She walked in the rain for several blocks. The twists and turns were necessary to cover her tracks. Xiomara would blow her top if she knew who her sister was going to meet. She’d blow up half the neighborhood if she knew why.

Locke and Grenada. A sleek black Chevy Chevelle was idling at the stop sign beneath the street light. If it was completely dark, the car would’ve blended in with the night. Xuri almost ran back home. She could drop the umbrella and run. She had a choice. But she needed to at least talk to him. She needed to know what he was thinking. She wanted to hear the logic and reason behind his decision.

“Xuri,” Blaine braved the rain to open her door when she made the final approach. He’d been watching, she thought.

“Blaine.” She gave him a nod and got into the car.

The younger Grove’s shiver didn’t go unnoticed by the other. He turned up the heat and sat awkwardly in the driver’s seat. The car moved and the only noise that could be heard was the engine.

“Look,” Blaine shifted the car into the next gear. “I wanted to talk.”

“As did I,” Xuri drummed her fingers on her lap.

“I didn’t intend on this happening.”

“Good. Neither did I.”

“I didn’t think you did.”

“Xiomara will think I did.”

“Xiomara can think whatever she wants,” Blaine’s eyes rolled. “It wasn’t easy to admit that things changed.”

“How did it happen? Why me?” Xuri turned to read his expression. It wasn’t much. Blaine was known for his stoic visage.

“I guess it’s always been there in some capacity. I started to listen to it when you helped me with the ghost nanny.” Xuri knew of the instance. He compensated her very well. She didn’t think anything about it when it happened. Thinking back on it, though. Could it have been because of his affection for her? “It grew after that.”

“And when did it become big enough for you to break things off with Xiomara?”

“When I noticed I was doing things out of jealousy and not out of obligation to Xiomara.”

“Like?”

“Abram.” Blaine stole a glance at the woman beside him. Xuri settled her gaze in her lap. That made sense. Blaine did act strange when Abram was in town. First, when he made sure she was okay. Second, when he made a very clear threat to the werewolf.

“What do you expect out of me?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Yup.”

“You know I’ve heard every detail about your sex life, right?” Blaine smirked. “Don’t get any ideas. I’m letting you know I’m not having sex with you.”

“Scared?”

“Of you?” Xuri snorted a laugh, “absolutely, not.”

“I don’t want you for sex. I don’t want you beyond what you want to give me.”

“And if that’s nothing?”

“Then it’s nothing.”

“We can hang out.” Xuri stated.

“What would you like to do?”

“Tonight?” Blaine nodded. “Just drive around.”

“That we can do.” Xuri let a small smile flicker on her lips before turning her attention out the window.

[the end… for now…]