The Incubus Under my Bed

Chapter 7

Henrí walked up the gravel paved driveway to where David and his son James were playing a game of basketball. Madison was in the yard playing tea with her dolls and teddy bear. She was the first to spot Henrí and ran up to him. "Is that little Maddy?" Henrí asked as he picked her up. The girl’s skin was freezing, and he knew the dark-haired beauty had to be cold. Unlike the boys she wasn’t running around working up a sweat.

"What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming back 'til Christmas?" Maddy said remembering how her uncle only showed up once a year and that time came not too long ago.

"You remembered when I told you I'd be back sooner than you think?" he asked.

"I thought that it was one of those white lies grownups tell so you don't miss them," she smiled.

"You think I'd lie to you, my favorite girl?" he asked as he threw her in the air. The girl giggled and squealed.

"What are you doing here?" David asked as he approached his little brother.

"I thought you'd be happy to see me?" Henrí smirked. "Did you miss me Jaime?"

"I guess," the boy shrugged.

"I guess," Henrí said looking at Maddy. "At least I know you love me, even if you think I'm a liar."

"I wonder why she'd think that." David said as Henrí smirked at him. "C'mon guys let’s go inside."

-IUMB-

"So, is anyone going to tell me what happened here?" Kelley asked as the boys drink in the kitchen.

"My lady friend this century was a witch, and she helped me out," Henrí smiled.

"You're lady friend, who?" David asked.

"I'm not at liberty to say, but I think she's in your class," he shrugged.

David’s grip tightened around the neck of his beer and he bite his lip. He couldn't believe he never noticed it before. His brother was bound to the girl of his dreams, and she would forever be connected to him.

"Oh, stop it, you can tell us. We won't embarrass you," Kelley said wrapping her arms around David's waist.

Henrí couldn't help but glare at his brother. He never understood the hold David had on women, but Henrí always knew his brother didn't deserve it. Henrí wanted to believe that his brother would never hurt Kelley, or risk hurting his family by indulging in his feelings for Aria. He wanted to believe in his brother. However, the man standing before him did little to stir Henrí 's faith.

"I'm sure it wouldn't matter I kinda blackmailed her into helping me," he said being honest. If his brother was in love with Aria, he wanted him to know the truth. "I can be pretty persuasive with my tongue."

"The poor girl," David said taking another sip.

"Tell us who it is. I don't really see you with any of his students they are all"-

"Generic carbon copies."

"Not all of them," David said to their defense.

"The girls defiantly," Kelley said agreeing with Henrí.

"You're thinking about my intro class," he laughed.

"The upper classmen are strange rangers," she laughed, all except one, she thought. "Aria," she yelled. "Aria's a witch?"

"What about Aria?" David asked playing dumb.

"That's Henrí 's charge, isn't it?"

"It’s not Aria. Her family, witches?" David said making his wife sound crazy.

"She's the only one I can see your brother having to blackmail. The rest of them would do it willingly. It hast to be Aria," Kelley said turning to Henrí.

"It is Aria, she and I are much acquainted."

"See. She's a sweet girl, and smart. You better be good to her."

"Oh, I am. All the time. Everywhere. It drives her crazy how she can't keep her hands off of me, because her little boyfriend."

"Oh, yes Tyrell. You might want to play it safe there. He can take you," Kelley laughed.

"Thanks sis I'm glad you have faith in me," he laughed.

"I'm only trying to help. You should bring her over for dinner. We owe her that after all the long nights Dave has her in the lab," she said. "Doesn't that sound nice babe?"

"I know she has a full schedule so don't get your hopes up," David smiled.

"She lives on campus with me so I'm sure we can manage a trip up the road," he shrugged.

"Wait you guys are living together?" Kelley asked.

"It makes things a lot easier," Henrí laughed.

"I'm going to go check on the kids they're too quiet," David said unable to listen to his brother subliminally brag about having s*x with Aria.

"Okay," Kelley said.

"I'll do it," Henrí said. "I have to get back anyway, it’s a school night."

"Okay, but make sure you get her here soon. I can't wait to see you all coupled up."

"Sure, thing Kells."

When Henrí was done saying his goodbyes David walked him to his car. The two said nothing as they got into the vehicle. After a beat David was the first to break the silence. "Leave her alone," David said looking into his brother's eyes. "She's a good kid."

"This has nothing to do with her being a good kid. I'm not stupid," Henrí laughed.

"Then leave her alone."

"You know I can't do that. For the next two weeks we're all stuck in this situation."

"You knew about us when I told you about the spell, didn't you?" David asked.

Henrí laughed to himself. "You are a father, you have a beautiful, smart wife that would do anything for you. Why Aria?"

"None of your business," he said. "Did you know about me and Aria before you asked me about the spell?"

"Yes, yes I knew. I knew you were f*****g up your life before I asked about the spell. I knew you were taking advantage of a little girl's innocent crush on you," he yelled.

"Leave her alone or so help me Henrí," David started.

"You can't do anything to me. If Aria and I don't have s*x she's in more danger than I am. She could disappear. Rules are rules and Aria bent them when she freed me."

"I should kill you," David said as he shook his head. He was partially responsible for this, and there was nothing he could do to fix it.

"Why are you doing this with Aria?"

David looked out the windshield. He had no idea when or how his feelings for Aria came to be, but he did know they were there, and she was not his. "It doesn't matter does it?"

Henrí turned to his brother. "Of course, it matters. She is a kid and you have a family. My family. Don't you care about them, and what this will do to them? Kelley would kill for you. She loves you, and I thought you loved her. I used to envy you, but you know what I see. I see a weak piece of s**t. You're no better than me," he laughed thinking about how David always lived on a golden pedestal in his mind.

"That's my problem to deal with not yours," was all he said. David got out of the car and walked back to his house.

"I hope you smarten up," Henrí yelled at his brother, but only got an angry finger for a reply.