Chapter 66 [Talon—9 PM Central Time]
Bustle finally died away. The last few customers had wandered out five minutes beforehand. Tables sparkled from their cleaning. Chairs sat straight by them. Broom's bristles had swept the floor clean. Now the door was locked. The lights dimmed.
"I don't understand why Uncle Dave's so paranoid." Miranda wrung the mop out one last time. She wheeled the pail toward the back.
"When you've run into my Great Aunt, you'd know it. He's just being careful, Miri." Lana counted down the tens in the drawer.
"I've seen that and worse, Lana." Miranda pointed to the scar on her chin. "How do you think I got that? What you saw this morning—that came from its brother."
"Brother?" Fright chilled Lana's spine. She set the fives down on the counter. "There's more than one of them?"
"Two that we know of." Miranda shook her head. "Its brothers name is Lousain. He rules over some dark place. Auntie Angie, my Auntie Karen and I were kidnapped. Uncle Dave took the blade that caused that in the shoulder. Then the Big Kid came out and started a bloodbath. Trust me. I know."
Lana shivered. She turned to the stairs to see LaFontaine standing there. "Madame?"
"And you can never be too careful, Cherie." LaFontaine descended the stairs. "Forgive me. I wanted to wait with you." She studied Miranda. "Do not make light of your uncle's concern. He has learned at great cost to have that. And right in this very theater." She glanced at the plaque. "In fact, Mama herself spelled him from that spot." She shook her head. "I wish they could have left others here."
Lana finished counting everything. She set up the next morning's starter drawer. Then she put the profits in an envelope and dropped it in the safe. "I'll take care of that in the morning." She fetched her coat. "You have everything, Miri?"
"Yeah. I follow you two to the farm." Miranda saw the truck's headlights pull into the parking lot. "I think that's Captain Plaid now." She pulled her coat on. "Are you set there?"
"I'm good." Lana shut the lights off. She headed toward her friend. "Want a ride?"
"Non. I am good. I will make sure you leave safely." LaFontaine motioned toward the door. "We should go."
Lana unlocked the door. She ushered them out. Then she locked the door again. Her fingers activated the alarm. "There! Now we're good." She led them toward the waiting truck.
"Hey, Lana! Good night?" Clark perked up upon seeing her and the others. His father had a long list of chores to be done.
"Busiest night of the week so far, Clark." Lana shrugged. "Didn't see you."
"I was helping around the farm. Had to make a produce delivery to the mansion for Lex this afternoon. Madame LaFontaine, everything all right?" he explained.
LaFontaine straightened herself. "As far as I can tell, Mr. Kent. I appreciate your awareness. I am parked close by. See them right home. Merci." She walked away from the group and turned the corner into the alley.
"Strange." Miranda frowned. She unlocked her Nissan. "Any word from the Aunt or Uncle?"
"Nope. All's been quiet since this morning. Let's get going. I don't want to take any chances." He rubbed Lana's shoulder.
"Thanks, Clark." Lana smiled at his concern. Her eyes sparkled into his. She climbed into the truck's passenger side.
"That's our cue. Just honk if you see anything." He got in on the truck's other side. He started the ignition and let it idle.
Miranda got into the Nissan and did the same. When he pulled out, she followed closely behind.
"So nothing out of the ordinary?" He glanced toward Lana as they cleared the downtown.
"Nope. Nothing beyond customer expectations. I think they're all coming back from break." She peered through the glass into the dark night. "How do you deal with this stuff, Clark?"
"What stuff?" Curiosity and Alarm rose within him. He glanced at her.
"All of the meteors and metahumans. Other than the disappearing acts, you seemed fairly normal." She frowned.
He shrugged. "All part of the act, Lana. I want you all to be safe. I also have to protect my Secret too. The ghosts and magic are out of my league. Want to know something?"
"Sure."
He smiled. "If I have to face that stuff, I'm glad you're here with me." He gave her left hand a gentle squeeze.
Her heart skipped a beat. Giddiness would've floated her toward the cab's ceiling if not for the seatbelt. "Thanks, Clark. You don't know how much that means to me."
"You're welcome." His eyes twinkled in the stars' gentle light. "We'll keep each other safe." He turned into the farm's driveway. He saw her eyes sparkle in Luna's Faerie dust-laden beams.
If one was on Protection's duty, best to look after one's heart….
