Page 59 of A Silence So Divine

“Can we talk somewhere private?” I ask lowly.

Though it looks like it pains her, Veda concedes and we follow her into her RV. The door has long since rusted, indigo paint chipping away with the faintest touch. The inside isn’t faring much better, but it’s homey enough—afghan blankets are thrown across a faded couch, incense lit on the single burner stovetop.

With the door shut behind us, Veda motions me forward and I lead the other two into the living space. The older woman watches them go by, and when her eyes catch on Eden, they widen momentarily.

We stand awkwardly in a semicircle until I insist Eden sit down, which she does, but only after Creed. The air is thick with anticipation. Keeping my hands busy, I pick up a blanket and attempt to fold it.

“Housekeeping, are you?” Veda asks with a raised brow. Her arms are crossed, clearly waiting for me to spit out what I came to say. The issue is, I don’t know where to begin.

“How old is he?” She juts her thumb towards Creed. He looks on intently, eyes darting between our mouths.

“Twenty.”

“She his girlfriend?”

“No.” The word comes out much too quickly. Her brows hike up and her index finger taps her lips as she studies me. Not a fan of scrutiny, I shift on my feet and avert my gaze.

“Yours then?”

“No!” Jesus Christ.

I watch the couch from the corner of my eye. Creed’s face remains neutral, but Eden’s cheeks are blooming magenta.

“Right,” Veda mutters, turning her back on me to get into the fridge. Her hand comes out holding two bottles of beer, and I snag one eagerly.

A moment passes where we both take sips—her studying me, me studying the scuffs on my boots. This is somehow more difficult than I thought it would be, and I haven’t even told her the worst of it.

“So,” She motions towards the three of us. “Are you going to tell me what the fuck is going on? Because unfortunately, I’m not a mind reader.”

I can do this. Taking one look at Creed, I inhale and let the truth pour out.

I begin with our childhood; Creed’s illness that left him deaf, our no-good father, and our decision to leave home. I don’t gointo too much detail, but I try to make Veda understand why I’ve kept him a secret.

Then, I explain how we found Eden locked in the attic, on the brink of starvation. Veda mumbles her disapproval.

I leave out most of the gory details as far as Eden’s father and the man at the pond. That might be too much, too soon. With the way Eden relaxes into the couch, I’m sure she appreciates it.

I finish off with the incident at the Sanctuary.

My mouth is cotton-dry, and I take another swig of beer. I’ve been talking so long it’s grown room temperature.

No one speaks as Veda digests the influx of information. Three torturous minutes of silence pass before I cave.

“Well?” I prod. “Aren’t you going to say something?”

She gives me a look that toes the line between disappointment and pity.

“This won’t end well, Cecil. I don’t see how it can.”

The words are like a punch to the gut, and I fight to keep my composure. I don’t crumble. I can’t.

“What do you mean? I saved her from being murdered, and they still haven’t found out about my brother. In my opinion, things aren’t too bad.”

Veda nods in understanding, but her gaze remains heavy.

“Yes. But now that the Brothers are aware of the power this young woman wields, there will be no slipping into the night with her. Our usual tactics aren’t a viable option,” she warns. Her tone is gentle, but the words cut like a knife regardless.

Placing my bottle on the counter, I approach Veda and clasp her hand between mine.