"Ha-ha, you're so funny. Not," I said, punching her arm lightly.
"Damn girl, you've got some bite to you," she said, rubbing the spot on her arm.
At first I thought she was teasing since I'd barely tapped her, but by the admiring look she was shooting my way, she was dead serious.
"Oops, sorry," I said.
"It's all good. You want to go see the zombie movie that just came out?" she asked, switching gears.
"Let me guess. Krista's idea?" I asked skeptically. It was typical of my aunt to use bribery to entice me. Even down to the point of conning her best friend into sitting through some zombie movie.
"It's not like you haven't been talking about it incessantly since it released last week," she reminded me, tugging on a wet lock of my hair. "Come on, it'll do you some good to get out."
"You sure it's safe, what with me on toddler watch all?" I asked, standing up to pull a brush through my long wet hair before it dried into a frizz ball.
"Haniel thinks as long as you're with a Guide you should be okay."
Translation: aGuide would be able to pick up any supernatural vibes and send in the troops, I thought sourly.
"Even a trouble magnet like you should be safe," she teased, trying to erase the scowl on my face.
"Fine. I'll go, but only because zombies are involved. Now go so I can change."
"Maybe something that's not black. I always feel like I'm with the crypt walker when you dress in all black."
"Take it or leave it, preppy," I said, taking in the plain khaki shorts and striped polo shirt she was wearing.
"Not prep, style," she said, looking offended.
I closed the door behind her, laughing at how touchy she was when it came to fashion. I'm not an idiot. I knew Mark and Krista were attempting to manipulate me by using Sam, but I was beginning to enjoy hanging out with her, so it wasn't much of a hardship. I think I just judged her unfairly in the beginning. She really was an all-around good person. Unfortunately for her though, she would have to live with my usual attire, although, to throw her a bone, I picked a white t-shirt instead of black. I pulled on one of the few pairs of jeans I had that didn't already have holes in the knees to cover my bandages and laced up my combat boots before stepping in front of my dresser mirror to do my hair and makeup. My black hair made my skin appear almost translucent, and my naturally thick eyelashes required no attention as they stood out on their own. I used my coal-colored eyeliner liberally on both eyes and smiled as they popped out against my porcelain skin. My favorite plum-colored lipstick completed the look I was going for as I stepped back to admire my handiwork. I looked like I was headed out to some hot club instead of a movie with my sort-of aunt, but that wasn't the point.
I headed down the hallway toward the living room where I could hear multiple voices. All noise evaporated from the room as I entered. Glancing around, I saw Sam and her husband, Shawn, on the far side of the room where they'd been chatting with Mark and Krista, about me I'm sure.
"Oh, Jordyn, I love your hair," Shawn said, engulfing me in a bear hug.
"Goth, right?" he asked as I hugged him back.
"Ha, you're so funny," I said, knowing he was teasing me.
"How was your mission?" I asked.
"The usual," he said, sounding bored.
"Maybe I can go with you guys next time," I said hopefully. The guys in my family had been handling the lion's share of the simple missions that were being handed down and spent most of the year traveling. Sam, Krista and Lynn took turns shuttling me around when a Guide's assistance was needed on a mission. They made a point of making sure I was never alone. I was insanely jealous of their freedom and spent the last year begging and pleading for an opportunity to go with them. All my pleas had fallen on deaf ears since I lacked a Guide's gift of helping free a soul, but I had argued countless times that I could be an asset to the Protectors.
"I'm not sure how many more missions we'll have in our future," Sam said, smiling brightly at me.
"Why not?" I asked, biting back my disappointment as my hopes were dashed. In the back of my head, I had been harboring the hope that after my success with the Daemons the night before that I would be allowed into their world once and for all.
"Your uncle and I decided to do something we've wanted to do for a very long time."
"And what is that?" I asked, trying not to sound as belligerent as I felt.
"We've decided to fill out the paperwork to adopt," she said excitedly.
"Oh, very cool," I said, feeling like a complete ass. I knew how badly Sam and Shawn wanted kids. They'd rejected the idea of adoption for years, claiming their lifestyle wouldn't be a fair environment to raise a child. "Are you guys going to try to adopt a baby?"
"No, we've decided to adopt an older child. One that might've otherwise fallen through the cracks. The woman we met with told us about a little boy who would be a perfect candidate. His mom died when he was born, and his dad just went to jail for manslaughter. They're searching for family members that might want to step in and adopt him, but if no one steps forward, we might be able to adopt him," she said with excitement lacing through her every word as happy tears gathered in her eyes.