Thirty Eight

  The day was sunny and bright. I stood before the open door of the limo. The tarmac was clear as the stairs lowered from my private jet. I smiled brightly as my Aunty Ivy made her way down the stairs, her daughters in tow.

  The wind picked up a little as I approached them. I was wearing a stylish white shirt and loose scks. Casual shoes adorned my feet. I wasn’t wearing any socks. The point I wanted to make was a rexed appearance and demeanor. It took mother some back and forth to convince Aunty Ivy to come here and bring her daughters along. I could see the concern in her features, especially when she gave me a forced smile.

  Aunty Ivy’s daughters held mixed expressions. Her oldest, my cousin Lydia, had a bright gaze and happy smile. She looked excited to be here. The younger sister, my cousin Lenore, walked with her gaze to the side like she was lost in thought. That said, they are both beautiful grown women. My aunt had natural dark green hair. It was rare, but not unheard of in our family. Lydia had dark hair with a green lock stabbing out from the right temple. Lenore had pale green hair, but her eyes were a stark silver. It gave her an almost ethereal appearance as the trio approached.

  “Aunty Ivy!” I said with enthusiasm as I embraced her.

  My aunt stiffened before she rexed into the embrace. When we parted, I greeted Lydia and Lenore with a small bow.

  “Welcome back to the homend,” I said with a warm smile.

  “It’s good to be back,” Ivy said with guarded poise.

  I drank in the beauty of the three of them. The women of both sides of the family were truly blessed in looks and bodies. My cousins had ample breasts, but my aunt carried rger breasts that defied gravity. My inner mind licked its lips at the thought of sucking on them.

  “Where’s Aunty Misty?” I asked with feigned surprise.

  “GERALD! GERALD!” shouted a busty woman from the pne entrance.

  I lifted my gaze to the pne and my smile widened. Aunty Misty was waving to me with one hand while she had a drink in the other. Even at a distance, she was as bubbly as ever. I could safely say she was the most positive and loving woman in the entire family, despite the tragedy of her te son’s death. No one knew how a person could be so loving and positive, yet, there she was, coming down the steps of the pne ramp, her breasts bouncing with each step as her drink sloshed around in its gss. When she reached the tarmac, she ran to me as her breasts bounced in all directions.

  Aunty Ivy and my cousins parted as Misty ran to my open arms and embraced me tightly. She smelled of vanil and liquor. Her hug was long as she whispered loving greetings into my ear. I heard her drink spsh on the ground behind me and I found it difficult to hide my grin.

  Misty pulled back with happy eyes. “My handsome nephew! How long has it been?”

  “Too long,” I said, keeping my grin.

  She looked me up and down like a piece of meat. “You have grown. Dare I say, you look good enough to eat.”

  “Misty!” Ivy nearly shouted.

  “Maybe a nibble,” Misty said, ignoring her sister.

  “Maybe,” I winked and she let out a happy giggle.

  “Nephew, I do believe we are here for holiday and maybe some discussions?” Ivy interjected.

  “Yes, of course. My man Harold will handle your luggage. We can sit and have some drinks before we drive to the castle.”

  “Yes, I would love a few more drinks since I spilled mine,” Misty said and followed with a haughty ugh.

  Before I could say anything further, Aunty Misty rushed to the limo and stepped in. I could see her open the liquor cabinet and grabbed a gss.

  Ivy rolled her eyes. Lydia snickered. Lenore looked away, not caring for any of it.

  I held my hand out to them and bowed a little. The trio made for the car and stepped in one by one.

  Inside, we all sat across from each other. I sat on one side. Ivy and her daughters sat toward the back. Misty sat in a lone seat by the small limo bar. She poured herself two drinks and started sipping on one without a word.

  Aunty Ivy on the other hand, looked at me like she was trying to find the right words to speak to me.

  I decided to head her off at the pass. “I know this all may seem a little disconcerting, but my intentions are true. I only want you all to have a long rest and maybe talk a little about the future.”

  Aunty Ivy stared at me, her gaze drinking in my every inflection and eye movement. She was trying to decipher me in some way.

  “I don’t wish to start off this holiday on the wrong foot, but your first letter came off like madness had consumed you. To invite us all to a ceremony of some sacred blessing, and not telling us much more was enough to give pause.”

  My aunty was known to be very direct. “And for that, I must apologize. I didn’t mean to be so bold. I understand how unusual it must be, after all this time, to suddenly drop everything and come to the castle. I was wrong, and I wish to make it up to you.”

  I leaned forward, elbows on knees. “I am truly happy you are here. I know on father’s side, they have looked to you for leadership since his disappearance. That is why I wanted you to come here to enjoy a visit and rex. We can talk, or not talk. It is up to you.”

  Ivy looked at me for a moment, and gave me a small nod.

  Misty spoke up with drink in hand, “Is it true, Rose, Lily, and Violet have come back from their graves?”

  I nodded. “It is true. I used one of the dark rituals from the Book of Nyght. They have come back from the Dreamnds.”

  Lydia’s eyes widened. “So, it is true, you have mastery over the dead!”

  “Lydia!” Ivy scolded her daughter.

  “No Mother, I will not be silent,” Lydia said as she kept eye contact with me. Her hand touched Lenore’s hand, the silent sister still looking away. “Lenore has a mystical affliction. She hears whispers of the dead. She sees them too. Their whispers torment her. You might be able to cure her?”

  I heard the rumors about Lenore. She was always a quiet one, often staring at nothing. She was blessed with such a curse. Lydia just gave away why they truly came here. If they know I gained more power, I might be able to cure her. I could use this.

  “Nephew,” Aunty Ivy said with sad eyes. “We have heard rumors about your growing power. I wanted to wait until ter to speak in private, but it would seem our purpose here is clear. We need assistance with Lenore’s gift. If you can help us, we might consider your former proposal.”

  I gave my aunt and cousins a small, agreeable nod. “No need to consider the former proposal. I would gdly cure or help Lenore control her gift. There is no repayment needed in any form.”

  Aunty Ivy’s eyes widened a hair in surprise.

  I continued with a warm smile, “We can discuss so much more back at the castle. I do wish to make myself clear, you’re all here to rex. I don’t want the stress of deals to take a toll on any of you. We’re family and that is the strongest bond of all.”

  I could feel their surprise at my words, except for Aunty Misty. She eyed me like a cougar in heat.

  “You have grown into quite a man, dear nephew,” Misty said before she sipped her drink.

  I simply gave her a devilish smile.

  Harold stepped into the driver seat and started the limo.

  I sat back in my seat. “Let’s enjoy some spirits as we head home.”

  Everyone but Lenore nodded. My cousin with the silver-gray eyes turned her lost gaze to me. She stared into my eyes like she was gazing upon my soul. She then looked away again, silent as the dead.

  This was going to be the beginning of something grand.