Wingless (The Lia Hunter Chronicles #1)

By the time I parked in front of Hutch’s house my stomach was grumbling loudly. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d actually eaten a full meal. So when Hutch opened the door, I practically melted into the porch steps at the delicious smell wafting from the kitchen.

“Gumbo?” I asked Hutch desperately.

Laughing, he swung the door open wide, “Gumbo.” He confirmed.

Salivating I followed the divine scent and the smooth sound of jazz music through the house and into the kitchen where a short blonde woman stirred a large pot.

“Mallory you are a goddess.” I moaned inhaling deeply.

Glancing over her shoulder Mallory grinned saucily, “I’ve been sayin’ that for years yet this one still hasn’t gotten it through his thick head.” She said flicking her head in Hutch’s direction. Her familiar thick New Orleans accent soothed my frayed nerves.

After my mother’s suicide, Hutch, and Mallory eagerly took me in, unable to have children themselves I filled that void in their life. Although Mallory would never replace my mother, the Pyro was a damn good woman, and I would have been lost without her.

Grinning unrepentant, Hutch leaned down and kissed her forehead, “I’ve got to keep you coming back for more somehow.”

Turning around she threatened him with her wooden spoon, “You just remember who cooks your dinners.”

A scowl creased her features, but I could see the laughter in her eyes. I watched, an avid observer, as Hutch slipped the spoon from her grip, placing it on the counter before her into his arms. She laughed loudly as they began to sway to the music, dancing deftly around the kitchen. Happiness radiated from them both, love filling every square inch of the house.

Hutch and Mallory had met when Hutch was a detective for the human police. He’d spotted her from across the bar, and according to him, it was love at first sight. He’d summoned the courage to go and talk to her and they’ve been madly in love ever since. Mallory dropped the Jaxai bomb pretty quickly, and Hutch being well, Hutch, barely even blinked at the fact his girlfriend was a Pyro. Back then the PeaceKeepers weren’t yet established, and the human police force was filled with discrimination against Jaxai, despite the equal rights treaty being put into place years earlier. Hutch caught some major shit over their relationship but he never let it phase him. Within three months they were engaged and after another five they were married. As soon as the PeaceKeepers were established in 1992 Hutch eagerly jumped on board, being one of the first to sign up.

Smiling, I looked on, my heart filled with love and just a touch of envy. Despite the fact I kept most of my romantic relationships - if the occasional hook up could even be called that - at a distance, I wanted what Hutch and Mallory had. The easy familiarity of the two, the way Hutch’s face softened whenever he glanced at her and Mallory’s eyes lit up when she looked at him. Sighing wistfully, I moved away, beginning to set the table. Knowing the two of them would dance until the house was burning down around them.

By the time we were seated at the table, Mallory’s cheeks were flushed with color, a dreamy smile on her lips. Shoving a heaped spoonful into my mouth, I moaned as the flavors burst on my tongue. Before I’d even swallowed I had another spoonful ready and waiting.

“Don’t forget to come up for air, dear.” Mallory drawled with amusement.

I grunted an agreement before shoving my face full with more food. After I cleared my plate a second time, I leaned back in my chair, my stomach happily full. I was just considering unbuttoning my jeans when Mallory speared me with a fierce look. My instincts immediately screamed trap but my food dazed brain struggled to keep up.

“Now, Lia, Arthur has been tellin’ me all ’bout your case.” She said with false sweetness, staring pointedly at the bruises on my face.

I shot Hutch a peeved look, “Don’t be lookin’ at him for help. He’s in just as much trouble as you. Lettin’, you take on such a dangerous case.” Mallory cut in and I saw the wince form on Hutch’s face. Perverse satisfaction that I wasn’t the only one in trouble brought a smirk to my face. Quick as lightning Mallory brought down her plastic spatula, hitting the back of my hand. Dropping the smirk from my lips, I rubbed at the sting, pouting slightly. Mallory arched an eyebrow, unimpressed at the show.

Sighing, I straightened in my chair, “Mallory, I’m just trying to do my job and yes sometimes it can get a little dangerous, but I’m not going to let that stop me.”

Scowling Mallory pushed to her feet, roughly gathering the dirty dishes from the table, “Dangerous is the occasional bruise or cut, havin’ someone blow up your apartment is not dangerous.” She said, her voice rising with each word, “It’s- it’s deadly!”

The dishes shook in her shaky grip as she stormed out of the room. Guilt swamped me as I watched her drop the dishes into the sink with a loud bang. Angrily, she began to wash the bowls with much more force than was necessary.

“She was worried sick when I called her this morning.” Hutch murmured quietly. Meeting his gaze, I saw his own concern in the worried lines of his face. “I had to talk her down from leaving her art class and rushing over to the station.”

Great, as if I could feel any worse.

Rising, I hesitantly entered the kitchen, wincing when Mallory slammed a dish down on the bench so hard it cracked in half.

“Mallory,” I said softly and her vicious scrubbing paused. Taking that as a positive sign I placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m okay. A little banged up but okay.”

Her shoulders slumped and she pulled her hands from the water, drying them quickly on a towel. “I know dear, I’m just- oh.” Reaching up she shakily wiped away a couple of tears, laughing softly, “I’m just being silly.”

Pulling her into my arms, I hugged her tightly, “I’m sorry for making you worry.”

Her arms clutched me firmly as if she could keep me safe from the world simply by hanging onto me. “I’d promise you it won’t happen again but we know how good I am at pissing people off.” I joked softly and Mallory laughed though tears continued to soak my shoulder.

Pulling away she wiped at her face again, shooing me away. “You start serving dessert while I deal with these dishes.”

Smiling, I pulled the tub of ice-cream – triple choc swirl, of course – from the fridge and loaded up three bowls. Sitting back at the table, Hutch and I listened as Mallory recounted her latest horror story from her art studio. Three days of the week Mallory ran free classes for anyone who wanted to learn how to paint. A successful artist herself, Mallory always managed to fill up the studio with eager students. Some of them, however, didn’t react the best when Gustave, Mallory’s friend, and model stripped down to nothing and posed for the class.

“The poor boy just straight fainted, right on top of his canvas.” Mallory told us, “I was sure I was gonna be shut down by the health and safety department.” A devious smirk curled her lips and she batted her eyelashes innocently, “Of course, it didn’t help that when he came to, Gustave, on account of him knowing first aid, was the one crouching over him. And in all the excitement he may have forgotten to put his robe back on.”

Hutch and I burst into laughter. My mouth ached from smiling so much but I wouldn’t change anything. It had been a while since I’d visited home, too caught up in work and all the other daily bullshit. As I looked at Mallory’s pleased expression and Hutch holding his sides with the force of his laughter, I realized it had been too long. I’d missed this feeling of unequivocal belonging. The warmth of family. Sure, the guys at the station were family but it was a different kind, a bond forged in the fires of duty strengthened by blood, sweat, and tears.

With Hutch and Mallory, it was a softer kind of bond, although certainly not weaker. It was one of unconditional love, and in the time I’d spent away from them I’d forgotten what that felt like. They were the parents I’d never had. My mother, despite trying her best never really fell into that role. If anything, I was the one who spent the majority of my time looking after her. As for my father, well he pretty much gave up any rights to that position the moment he abandoned my mother.

“I- I think I might have met my father,” I said suddenly. Shock froze Hutch and Mallory in their seats, both their mouths hung open. “I’m not entirely sure it was him,” I rushed to continue, “but he was about the right age, he had black wings, and we share the same nose.” I finished quietly as they both just stared at me in shock.

Hutch was the first to recover, snapping his mouth closed with a click, “Are you okay?” he asked awkwardly and I knew he was unsure what to say.

I shrugged, focusing on the finger that drew patterns on the table, “I guess. It was weird.”

“What was his name?” Mallory asked softly.

“Zachariah,” I replied. Recognition sparked in both their eyes and I froze, “Why do both of you know that name?” I asked quietly.

They shared a quick look, straightening in their chairs. Tension filled the room as I waited for them to answer.

“When you were in the hospital still recovering from your...attack,” Hutch began and my back twinged in remembered pain.

It had been a month of doing nothing but lying in a hospital bed at first wishing I was dead and then later wishing I was well enough to track down the monsters who had attacked me. After that first month, there were another four of daily physical therapy trips, ruthlessly teaching my body to adjust to life without wings. I’d been about a week into physical therapy when my mother took her own life, off her meds and too absorbed in her guilt to see any other option. I’d been left alone in the world, feeling angry, bitter, and terrified. Hutch and Mallory picked up the pieces and glued me back together again well enough to at least function. Still, those months were filled with dark memories.

“I visited your mother,” Hutch continued, “she wasn’t in the best shape. When I got there she was rambling and the name Zachariah came up a few times. I asked around a bit, did some research. It didn’t take me long to realize who he was.”

Betrayal and anger tore through me, cutting to the bone, “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked roughly, my throat swollen with emotion.

“We didn’t tell you when you were in the hospital because you weren’t ready. We were practically having to force feed you at that point.” Mallory said quietly, her eyes pleading for understanding and although it annoyed me I could concede at the time I hadn’t been mentally stable enough to hear that particular news.

“Then why not after? Why didn’t you tell me when I left the hospital or I don’t know, any of the million chances you had between then and now?” I snapped.

Hurt bloomed in her brown eyes and Hutch reached across the table placing his hand on hers. Even as a small part of me cheered at the hurt I’d caused another part of me flushed with guilt.

“You’ve never shown an interest in knowing who your father was. And despite what you might claim you’re still recovering from your attack.” Hutch interceded.

“I deserved to know the truth.” I hissed out, lashing out to avoid thinking about his words. About how the truth in them made them sting all the more.

“We know, it wasn’t our intention to purposefully deceive you. We should have told you sooner and we’re both very sorry that we didn’t.”

Fresh tears glimmered in Mallory’s eyes but I strengthened myself against the sight. A concoction of betrayal hurt, and anger scratched across my skin. It left me feeling raw and exposed and so incredibly alone. So I coped the only way I knew how, I shut off my emotions, burying them deep down.

“Are you sure?” I asked flatly, glancing up at Hutch. “Are you sure he’s my father?”

He nodded solemnly, “He is the only surviving member of the East family, the only family within the Seraphim court who have black wings. His parents died years ago and he has no siblings. Even putting aside all of that, he does look like you.”

I searched myself for a reaction, any drop of emotion but instead, I just felt empty and so very, very tired. Standing, I pushed back my chair, not meeting either of their worried gazes.

“I need some time to think.” I declared.

“Your old room is set up for you,” Mallory said softly, and I gave her a distracted nod. I walked quietly to the hallway, pausing when Hutch’s voice stopped me by the door.

“We love you, Lia,” He stated fiercely. My hand clutched at the doorframe, “Don’t ever think otherwise.”

Turning I met his gaze, the words ‘I love you too’ on the tip of my tongue, but hurt kept them trapped within my mouth. Sighing, I looked down at the ground.

“You should have told me,” I whispered.

Leaving the room hurt stung my heart with each footstep.