The Shadows Among Us.

CHAPTER 14

Mira hesitated, uncertainty flickering across her face. “Do you guys know exactly where Grandma’s house is?” she asked.

Eli shook his head. “Not off the top of my head. But I know Dad kept the address somewhere at our parents’ place. We can swing by and get it—shouldn’t be a problem.”

Mira chewed her lip, still skeptical but desperate for answers. “All right. Let’s go to Mom and Dad’s after this. I just… I really need to know more about her.”

Before they could leave, Mira excused herself and hurried upstairs. Ashen and Asmodeus waited in tense silence with her brothers as she rifled through her closet. After a few moments, she found the old shoebox wedged in the back corner—dusty, untouched for years.

She lifted the lid, and there it was: her grandmother’s necklace, the one she remembered so vividly. The pendant was strange—old and cool to the touch, inscribed with unfamiliar symbols that seemed to shimmer faintly in the light.

Heart pounding, Mira slipped the necklace gently into her pocket, feeling a surge of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was the clue they needed to unlock the secrets of her past.

As Mira walked back into the living room, clutching the shoebox with her grandmother’s necklace safely tucked in her pocket, she found all four men—her brothers, Ashen, and Asmodeus—waiting and watching her. The moment she entered, they all looked up expectantly and, in perfect unison, asked, “Are you ready?”

She blinked, startled by their synchronization and the intensity of their stares. “Uh… y-yes,” she managed, her voice catching with nerves.

They exchanged glances—some awkward, some protective—before heading out the door together. Mira slid into the backseat of her brother’s SUV, Ashen beside her and Asmodeus sitting up front. Eli started the engine, and Marcus cast one last reassuring look over his shoulder as they pulled away from Mira’s house.

The thirty-minute drive stretched in thick silence, tension and questions hanging heavy in the air. Mira fidgeted with the necklace in her pocket, Ashen offering a comforting squeeze of her hand. No one spoke, each lost in their own thoughts, until finally, the SUV slowed and Eli announced, “We’re here.”

They had arrived at their parents’ house, the next step toward answers about their mysterious family past.

Marcus had texted their parents earlier, letting them know, “We found Mira and we’re on our way.” As soon as they pulled into the driveway, he fired off another quick message: “We’re outside.”

By the time everyone stepped out of the SUV, the front door flew open. Mira’s parents burst out onto the porch, tears streaming down their faces. They ran straight to their daughter, enveloping her in tight hugs and covering her cheeks with frantic kisses.

“Mira! What happened? Where have you been?” her mother cried, voice trembling. “Why haven’t we heard from you? Your phone’s been going straight to voicemail!”

Mira clung to them, overwhelmed by their relief and concern. “I’m okay, really. I’m so sorry I worried you. It was just… an impromptu trip. Ashen and Asmodeus invited me, and I needed to clear my head for a few days.” She glanced at the two demons, hoping they’d play along.

At the mention of unfamiliar names, her parents finally looked past her and saw Ashen and Asmodeus standing beside Eli and Marcus. Her father’s protective instincts kicked in immediately. He straightened, his expression hardening as he sized them up, arms crossed and jaw set.

“And just who are you two?” he demanded, his voice cool and commanding, making it clear that earning his trust would not come easily.

Ashen stepped forward first, extending his hand with calm confidence. “I’m Ashen, sir. Thank you for welcoming us into your home.” His tone was respectful, his gaze steady.

Asmodeus followed Ashen’s lead, offering his own hand. “I’m Asmodeus. It’s a pleasure to meet you both finally.”

Mira’s father eyed them for a moment before shaking each of their hands, his grip firm and his eyes sharp. “I’m David, and this is my wife, Linda. We’re Mira’s parents.”

David’s protective stance never wavered as he asked, “So, how long have you two known our daughter?”

Ashen glanced at Mira, then answered honestly, “Mira and I have been dating for a while now. I introduced her to my brother, Asmodeus, a few months ago. The three of us have become good friends since then.”

Linda offered a tentative smile, her relief at having Mira home softening her features. David nodded slowly, still scrutinizing Ashen and Asmodeus, but Mira could sense his demeanor thawing—if only slightly—as introductions were made. The tension in the entryway eased, setting the stage for the real reason behind their visit.

Linda gently took Mira’s hand, leading her up the steps and into the warmth of the house. She smiled, brushing Mira’s hair from her face and chattering quietly about how relieved she was to see her daughter safe. The men followed a few steps behind, their voices low, tension slowly ebbing as they entered the familiar setting.

Once they all settled in the living room, Mira couldn’t hold back any longer. She turned to her father, her voice soft but urgent, “Dad, can I ask you something about Grandma?”

Her father looked at her, surprise flickering in his eyes. He drew a deep breath, the weight of old memories settling on his shoulders. “There’s not much to tell, sweetheart. After your grandfather died, she took it really hard. She was depressed a lot… withdrawn. Sometimes she’d just wander the house, muttering about shadows in the corners, saying they were watching her.”

He paused, glancing at Linda, who gently squeezed his hand.

“She’d talk about things she saw—shapes, people, lights—things no one else could see. At the time, we thought it was just grief and loneliness. The doctors said she was… fragile. We tried to help her, but she never really got better. She was never quite the same after Dad passed.”

Mira listened intently, a knot of curiosity and dread tightening in her chest. The mention of shadows and unseen presences suddenly seemed more significant than ever.