Chapter 28: The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree

“I’ll call you when I get there. I promise,” Garin said and leaned down, kissing Willow. They had been saying goodbye for nearly ten minutes, neither ready to let the other one go, worried the illusion might shatter as soon as they were out of sight.
“Okay, I’ll be at work, but we shouldn’t be busy now that the tourists are finally leaving,” she replied, not wanting to get back to her real life. They had spent almost two days sequestered in the cabin alone. She had told her grandmother that she needed time away after splitting from Lyall. Her grandmother hadn’t asked any follow-up questions. She wasn’t sure how she was going to face her now.
“I really have to go,” he said, looking at his phone.
“So, go,” she said, teasing since he had been the one dragging his feet on leaving.
“Yeah, yeah. Alright, I’ll call you. Seriously.” He said getting into his car. “You sure you’re okay to walk the rest of the way?”
“It’s only ten miles,” she scoffed.
“You wolf people and your endurance,” he said, and she threw him a wink.
“I didn’t mean that…although also equally impressive.” He laughed.
“Go! I have to stop at home before I head into the café,” she said, pushing his door closed. He flashed her a smile and started the car. She watched him drive away for a moment, feeling equally elated and alone. It had been an incredible two days, but it worried her how carried away she had gotten. She was usually so grounded and levelheaded. She was the least likely person to run away for a weekend tryst with the enemy.
She was glad for the long walk home. She would shift eventually to shorten the trek but for now, she wanted to walk alone. The sky was clear, and the bite of winter whispered on the wind, hinting at its inevitability. It wouldn’t be long now before the roads were covered and travel would be near impossible.
She didn’t regret the weekend. Her entire being felt alive. She was sure that people could see the sparks emanating from her skin, the happiness in her eyes. But she couldn’t help feeling an impending sense of dread. It weighed heavily in her stomach. She knew it couldn’t last forever unless they ran away.
But she wasn’t Aunt Bella. She didn’t want to live where she didn’t have a home, constantly looking over her shoulder. The images of her dead parents flashed before her eyes. Could she bring a child into the world only to be killed for loving its father? She would rather be alone, childless than put her children through what she had.
She was so deep in thought; she didn’t notice the eyes that watched her walk away.
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Audrey watched Willow walk, wondering why she looked so morose. Maybe it was because Garin had left but she didn’t get the impression that Willow would be that shallow that his leaving to go back to school would devastate her. Or at least she hoped not. She had never seen her brother so happy and she didn’t think he would fall for a spineless, silly girl.
Audrey didn’t follow her the whole way home. Just long enough that she could tell her family that she hadn’t seen the girl. She volunteered for the scouting today. She wanted to protect her brother’s secret for as long as she could.
Protecting his helped her protect hers. She hurried back to her car that she had hidden a few miles down the road and drove home. She was grateful that her brothers were gone. Silas was becoming obsessed with watching Willow’s home and had a loyal shadow in Miles to tag along.
Her father was in his office and her mother was drinking on the back patio, swathed in a large plaid blanket.
“Hey mom,” she said and sat down across from her. Her mother pushed a martini towards her. “Thanks,” she said and took a swig.
“So, has your brother left town?” she asked, turning her grey eyes onto her daughter.
“Yep, we probably won’t see him until the spring, like always,” Audrey replied, drinking down more of the juniper flavored tonic.
“Good,” her mother replied and drank. Audrey studied her mother over her glass. How did she end up here? Her grandparents were normal people from Vermont. How did her mother end up marrying essentially a cult leader?
“Mom, how did you meet Dad?” she asked, setting down her class.
“Why?” she asked suspiciously. Audrey shrugged.
“Just curious.”
“Humph,” she replied. Audrey figured she wasn’t going to answer. Her mother had always been a bit cold and distant, the perfect matriarch to run a dysfunctional, murderous family. Audrey tossed back the rest of her drink, enjoying the small warm buzz that had settled itself into the back of her skull. As she stood, her mother finally spoke.
“We met through our parents. They thought that we would be a good match and so we were married,”
“An arranged marriage? That isn’t usually common here,” Audrey replied.
“When you are from one of the most prestigious families in Vermont, much less all of New England, everything is arranged. From the day you are born until the day you die; your life is planned. It keeps order.”
“Did you know about the Red Hoods before you met dad?” Audrey was genuinely curious. Who would willingly marry into such a fucked-up organization? Her mother laughed harshly, no smile on her face.
“Of course, silly girl. My family founded The Red Hoods. I was a highly sought-after bride. Your father had the right last name and dowry to be accepted.” She studied her perfectly manicured nails. Audrey’s mind was reeling. Her grandparents had always seemed so…normal. Granted she hadn’t spent a ton of time with them growing up, but they had moved around a lot.
“But you love dad?” Audrey asked. Her mother’s cold eyes locked onto hers.
“There is a lot more to marriage than love. You’ll find out soon enough. As will your brothers.”
“What do you mean?” Audrey asked, dread growing in the pit of her stomach.
“We found you all suitable matches. It’s high time we expanded the family.”