In the short time I’d known them, I could identify almost everyone’s voice. They each had a distinctive tone and cadence that made them unique. But when the voices fell to mumbles, I pressed my ear to the wall as if that could improve the volume.
“What mischief is this?” someone behind me asked.
I yelped, shot to my feet, and hit the floor.
The pack rushed toward me as I sat up and stared at Virgil, who was sitting two steps up from where I had been. He pulled his robe in front of his knees, the green fabric covered with dragons.
Tak gave Virgil a thorny look. “Is that how you treat our guests?”
Virgil held up his hands defensively. “Pump the brakes. I didn’t push her down the stairs.”
Mercy helped me up.
“I’m fine,” I said. “Sorry, I just got spooked.” Deciding to admit the truth, I said, “I was eavesdropping.”
Virgil sauntered down the steps. “Someday, I’ll teach you how to lie better, but today is not that day.”
Mercy led me toward the living room. “Y’all need to give her space. No more sneaking around. Come on, Cecilia. Let’s sit on the sofa.” She led me to the grey sectional by the television.
After walking around it, I sat at the far corner by the tree décor so I could face everyone. The entire pack joined.
“Thanks for letting me stay here last night.”
“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you need,” Tak replied, giving me an open invitation.
“I don’t want to impose.”
“We’ve already discussed it. There’s room, and I don’t turn people away in need of my help.”
One thing I immediately noticed about our seating situation was how the women were sitting by me and the men were on the opposite section of the sofa or standing.
“Did you put the ointment on your face?” Archer asked. “The Relic said every morning.”
“Not yet.”
He quickly made himself scarce.
I wrung my hands, nervous about speaking to so many people at once who hadn’t asked to be part of my problems. “I know you’re probably wondering how long it’s been going on and why I stayed.”
“You don’t owe us an explanation,” Lakota offered while crossing his arms from his spot by the wall. “Men who abuse their power deserve a blade in their chest.”
“I’m just sorry you had to get involved,” I said.
Robyn leaned forward to look at me. “Abusers make you feel like everything’s your fault. It’s not. None of this is your fault, so you have nothing to feel sorry about.”
Archer returned and handed me the ointment.
“Thanks.”
He drew back and stood next to Tak, who was sitting on the chaise.
“When I first met Noah, he was sweet and always made time for me. He bought me flowers and told me I wasn’t like other women. The first year was an adjustment, but we rarely fought. The second year… that’s when we started arguing more.” Staring at the ointment, I gathered the courage to continue. “He got upset that I wasn’t doing enough to help. The kitchen wasn’t immaculate, I left wrappers lying around, the dishes had spots. He was very particular about how he wanted things done, especially how I washed his car. So he gave me written instructions.”
“Instructions?” Melody asked. “What a bonehead.”
After a deep breath, I continued, “When he lost his job as a guard, he started drinking more. He’s an angry drunk. He gets easily triggered by the littlest things. No matter what, I was always the one who instigated the fight. Noah would explain everything that led up to it and how I could have prevented it. He was under a lot of financial pressure without work, and when I suggested I get a job, he suddenly bought a house out here. A new place seemed like a fresh start. He found work, but because of the commute, he was gone all the time. I started feeling isolated. Maybe a little resentful.”
Robyn lowered her head. “I feel guilty about saying he was a keeper. I shouldn’t have said that. He just seemed really nice.”
