Keepers of the Cave (20 page)

“Are you okay?” Paige asked gently. She reached across the table, resting her hand on Fiona’s forearm. Her fingers were warm and Fiona enjoyed the touch.

“Yes. I’m sorry, I was—” Staring? Yes, Fiona, she could see that, she chastised herself. She looked at her again, her eyes expressive. “You and CJ are really in love, aren’t you?”

Paige seemed startled by the question, and Fiona was surprised to see a faint blush cross her cheek as she sat back.

“Yes. We are,” Paige said with a smile. “Does that bother you?”

“Oh, no. I don’t have a problem with that. I’m used to it now. It’s just...well, it must be nice,” she said and even she heard the wistfulness in her voice.

Paige tilted her head. “You’ve never been in love?”

Fiona shook her head. “No. I can’t even imagine what it’s like.”

Paige raised an eyebrow slowly. “Not even with the father of your baby?”

Fiona’s eyes widened in surprise. “You know?”

Paige leaned forward, her voice low. “You weren’t showing last Sunday, I swear, but today...” she said, her gaze landing on Fiona’s slightly protruding stomach.

Fiona covered it quickly, not knowing what to say. She knew enough about anatomy and childbirth to know she shouldn’t be showing for months yet, but yes, every day she felt herself getting bigger. She didn’t know what look was on her face, but Paige’s fingers circled her arm again.

“Sweetie, I’m sorry. Did you not want anyone to know yet?”

Fiona didn’t know how to respond to that, and she very nearly panicked but Paige squeezed her arm affectionately.

“I’m sorry. It’s absolutely none of my business.”

“It’s just—”

“No, it’s okay. I shouldn’t have said anything.” Paige smiled at her before removing her hand. “I take it you’re not in love with this guy then?”

Fiona felt a laugh threaten and she let it out. It wasn’t a joyful laugh but it was a laugh all the same. “Not in love, no. Definitely not.”

Paige looked like she wanted to say something else, but she picked up her sandwich instead. Then, as if fighting with herself, she put the sandwich down. “It’s none of my business, but this guy, he didn’t...force you, did he?”

Fiona felt a surge of...something. She didn’t even have words for it, it was so alien to her. Paige was looking at her with such genuine concern, sympathy almost, that a warmth spread through her. She wasn’t used to someone being affectionate and Paige was certainly that, but for her to care, as if Fiona
mattered
to her, was something so foreign, she had a hard time comprehending it. She finally acknowledged the question, knowing Paige would be alarmed if she didn’t answer it.

“No. It wasn’t like that,” she said vaguely.

“But he’s from Hoganville?”

“Yes.”

Again, Paige’s eyes were filled with questions, but she smiled, then laughed. “No offense, Fiona, but Hoganville is a little weird,” she said.

Fiona nearly choked on the water she’d just swallowed and was afraid she would spit it out. She wiped the smile from her face before looking at her.

“Weird?”

“Okay, maybe weird is not the right word,” Paige said. “But I’m just fascinated with it.”

“Whatever for?”

“We went to the café one morning, hoping to get breakfast,” Paige said.

Fiona laughed. “Yes, I heard.”

Paige grinned. “Ester Hogan was quite intimidating.”

“Yes, she is,” Fiona agreed.

“We didn’t get breakfast, but she was kind enough to send us away with eggs and bacon.” Paige gathered up her lunch trash and shoved it in a bag. “Why is there a café in town if they don’t like people from the school to go there?”

“The café has odd hours,” Fiona said. “Selma does the cooking. It’s open to the public whenever they want it opened to the public.” She hesitated, not knowing really how to explain it. Or if she even should explain it. “Strangers stop there and that’s fine. But when people from the school come by, they don’t like it,” she said.

“Because we’re not strangers?”

“Sort of, yes. You’re here. All the time. Strangers passing by for a meal leave and don’t come back.”

“But there aren’t any jobs around here, are there?” Paige said and it was more of a statement than a question.

“No. They’re not needed,” she said, knowing that would probably elicit more questions.

Surprisingly, Paige just nodded, although Fiona could tell she was curious. As happy as she was to have made a new friend, she knew there was only so much she could share with her. She was glad Paige let the subject drop.

As they walked back inside, Paige motioned to her protruding stomach. “How long are you going to try to hide it?”

“I don’t know,” she said honestly. Mother Hogan had given her no instructions regarding it. She made a mental note to ask her about it this weekend when she returned home.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CJ followed Paige’s movements, her eyes drifting down to bare legs, then back up. She was nearly salivating. She quickly averted her gaze when Paige turned around.

“I really like her,” Paige said. “She’s so innocent. I mean, she’s not much younger than we are, yet she’s almost child-like.”

“I can’t believe she’s pregnant,” CJ said. “I just didn’t see that last Sunday when we had lunch with her.”

“Oh, I know,” Paige said. “I told her as much.” Paige brought a plate to the table for CJ. Breakfast today was fried potatoes, scrambled eggs and a soy sausage patty, which CJ looked at skeptically. “For someone who doesn’t cook, you’re awfully finicky,” Paige told her.

“For someone who is not a vegetarian, you sure cook like it,” CJ countered.

“It’s healthier and you won’t be able to tell the difference.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course I will.”

Paige gave her a sly smile. “Oh? I thought you enjoyed the spaghetti and meatballs I made the other night.”

“I did. They were great,” she said as she tasted a forkful of eggs. CJ looked at her suspiciously. “Why?”

“Vegetarian.
Meatless
balls,” she said with a smile. “And you couldn’t tell the difference. And I’d wager to say that if you hadn’t seen the package, you wouldn’t know the difference with the sausage. I can’t believe how lucky we are to have found a health food store out here in the middle of nowhere.”

“Oh, yeah. We’re
so
lucky,” she said sarcastically. CJ pointed her fork at her. “Look, I’m healthy enough. I don’t need you springing these soy surprises on me,” she said. She pushed the sausage patty around with her fork, reluctantly admitting that it did look like a real sausage patty. She cut into it with her fork, taking a tentative bite. Damn it all, but it
did
taste like the real thing.

Paige gave her an
I told you so
look before joining her at the table with her own plate. “Anyway, Fiona was very vague about the whole pregnancy thing,” she said, going back to what they were discussing. “Like she was shocked I knew. You should have seen the look on her face when I asked about the father. I asked if he forced her and she said no, but I really hope he didn’t.”

CJ felt the hairs at her neck bristle. She looked pointedly at Paige. “Do you think she was raped?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think so. It’s just...something wasn’t right, but I’m only speculating,” Paige said. “She didn’t appear to be thrilled that she was pregnant. It was like she was embarrassed that I noticed.”

“Maybe because she’s single. Maybe that’ll be frowned upon in Hoganville,” CJ said. “Okay, so this is pretty good,” she said as she finished off the last of the sausage. “I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. Apology accepted.” She paused. “I like Fiona. The patterns Ice found in the gate logs bother me. I can’t imagine her being involved in anything like that.”

“Maybe she’s just a small part of a much bigger picture,” CJ suggested. “That Belden guy looked scary, and we know what he did to Avery. Ester Hogan is in charge. Who knows what she can command them to do.”

“And there’s no way to find out. I mean, if the log file matches the other disappearances, what does that prove? Is that enough to go raid the place?”

“Let’s just let it play out,” she said. She leaned back, taking her coffee cup with her, watching as Paige finished her breakfast. “Laundry day?” she asked, moving the conversation away from Fiona.

Paige nodded. “And change the sheets.” She smiled sweetly at CJ. “Your turn to clean the bathroom.”

“God,” she groaned, hating Paige’s rules. “I’ll trade you the bathroom for vacuuming.”

Paige laughed. “No can do, tiger. It’s your turn to vacuum too.”

“How can that be?”

“Bathroom and sheets, once a week. Vacuum every third day.”

“Is that really necessary? It’s just us. We have no pets running in and out.” She looked around. “It looks clean.”

Paige simply gave her a look that said it wasn’t up for discussion and left it at that. “I’ll do dishes for you though.”

“I’ll trade you dishes for the bathroom,” CJ offered.

“Nope.”

***

Fiona made her way through the tunnels, the musty dampness nearly stifling. She paused at the fork where three tunnels converged, one leading to the chambers and beyond, one back to the cafe, and the other to Mother Hogan’s house. She took that one, knowing she stood to be reprimanded for not waiting until she was summoned, but her apprehension was growing as fast as the child inside of her. She knew something was wrong when her own mother had been shocked by her appearance. She’d gone so far as to accuse her of coupling
months
ago and not waiting for Mother Hogan’s blessing. How else would it explain that she looked four months pregnant in a matter of weeks?

As expected, Belden stood guard at the stairs and would not let her pass.

“Please? I need to see her,” Fiona pleaded.

Belden sighed. “Okay. You wait here. I’ll see if she wishes to speak with you.”

She didn’t have to wait long for his return. He motioned for her to follow and led her up the stairs into the house, and into the study.

Mother Hogan stood at the window, looking outside. Fiona was surprised that she didn’t have her robe on. She couldn’t remember a time seeing her without it. She was far less intimidating this way, dressed in an old, worn dress. When she turned away from the window, Fiona saw the surprise in her eyes, but she hid it quickly.

“My child, look at you,” she said with a smile. “How are you feeling?”

Fiona cupped her belly protectively. “I feel okay...just...I’ve gotten so big, Mother Hogan. Something must surely be wrong,” she said.

“No, no. Nothing is wrong, dear,” she said, coming closer. “Everything is just as it should be.”

“But, I can’t possibly be this big already,” she protested.

“You are special, Fiona. Your baby is...special.”

“Special?”

“Yes.” Mother Hogan moved to the closet, pulling out the familiar purple robe. As she slipped it on, Fiona felt a chill in the room. When she turned to her, Mother Hogan’s eyes were no longer warm and friendly. They had a coldness to them that scared her. She took a step back, but Mother Hogan reached out, stopping her. “You have been chosen, Fiona. You should feel honored.”

“Chosen for...what?” she asked quietly.

“The town is dying. The flock soon will not be enough for him.”

Fiona’s eyes widened. “Him who?”

Mother Hogan only smiled and Fiona realized just how evil it looked. “You are not carrying Antel’s baby,” she said.

Fiona took a step back. “Who...whose is it?”

Mother Hogan turned away. “Your pregnancy will be quick, as you can see. Two months, I would think.”

“Two months?” Fiona shook her head. “I...that can’t be. What will I tell everyone at school?”

“They hardly matter now, do they? Your responsibility is to the flock, to me,” she said. “To
him
.”

Fiona had no idea what she was talking about, and apparently Mother Hogan didn’t feel the need to enlighten her. “I see them every day. I have to tell them something,” she said. “They’ll ask questions.”

“Then perhaps we should quarantine you here,” Mother Hogan suggested.

Fiona tried not to let panic set in. She could envision being tied, bound to the bed again while Mother Hogan kept her drugged. While this
thing
continued to grow inside of her. She had a quick vision of cold, reptilian hands and she pushed it away.

“I think if I don’t return to school, it would cause questions,” she said, trying to mollify her. “We wouldn’t want them here, snooping around,” she said, hoping to use Mother Hogan’s paranoia against her.

“Yes. This is true,” she said, turning back to the window, a finger tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Okay, you can return, but you will tell them that you are six months pregnant and are just now showing. That should be enough of an explanation for them not to question you. Another three or four weeks only, though. After that, you will remain here, under my watch. You are to give birth in the chamber, at the sacrificial altar,” Mother Hogan said. “It will be quite the event.”

“In front of everyone?”

Mother Hogan tilted her head. “I haven’t decided yet. Probably not. Some things they don’t need to know.” Mother Hogan’s gaze traveled down her body, resting on her belly. She took a step toward her and Fiona took a step back, to no avail. Mother Hogan’s hands were on her, cupping her, squeezing tightly against her stomach. Fiona watched in fascination as her eyes literally rolled back in her head. Fear had her rooted to the spot and she had a hard time drawing breath. “Yes, yes,” Mother Hogan chanted. “Yes.”

Her hands were like hot irons, burning her flesh. Fiona thought she could smell singed skin and she tried to pull away, but Mother Hogan would not allow it. “It is, it is, it is,” she chanted. She lifted her hands and Fiona fell backward, into the wall, her eyes darting around the room, wondering if she should flee. Then Mother Hogan laughed, a low guttural sound that didn’t seem human, yet Fiona was still unable to move.

Mother Hogan’s eyes flew to hers. “It’s a girl. It’s really a girl. Now he will have someone to mate with.”