She frowned. “It’s not that simple. I owe them everything for what I’ve done.”
“No, that’s too high of a price,” Alexis said firmly. “And you’ve paid more than they ever understood.” She seemed to lose patience when Aurora just frowned. “How many bones were broken because you wouldn’t give them up, Aurora? You have probably lost your immortality to keep them safe. It isenough!Live your life for once. Please, value yourself finally!”
I think hearing it from Ellie’s friend and someone who respected Theresa cut through Aurora’s fog of penance and shame. She bobbed her head and then met my eyes.
“I don’t want to really see them,” she admitted. “They don’t care what happened to me or the truth of what was back then. It was never enough. I told Theresa time and time again that I knew she didn’t go to kill Ellie. Ellie wouldn’t hear it or take Theresa’s letters. It was all such a mess, and—I didn’t come here to be in their lives. They don’t want me and I…”
Didn’t want them anymore. That was what she really was struggling with deep down.
“You said you didn’t get my letters,” Theresa bit out.
“I have no idea what she’s talking about, but she’s clearly not lying,” Ellie mumbled. “She’s right that everything was such a mess back then and with Kenneth—I… I don’t know.”
Aurora lifted her head and focused on Theresa. “And how fast did you assume I was the liar and not a mistake made because you were children and it’scenturieslater? Completely ignoring that I was a child when I had you?” She didn’t wait for an answer and looked to Alexis. “Will you be my attorney? I don’t think the fight can be stopped now.”
“No, no, it can’t, doll. Yeah, I’ll take over,” Alexis promised. “If nothing else, apparently I have a strong legal mind who can help me and will advocate for you.”
Damn right, I would.
I looked up at her. “How dark are you willing to go? I have a few favors banked for when I did something bad. That will help you in Europe to get the right backing.”
“Wait, before we go that route, I have a few cards to play,” Ellie muttered. “Alexis will handle it, but—we also learned something big that we were going to discuss.”
“Like?” I drawled.
She sighed. “Like the head of the Graves family is good pals with one of the European ministers. Justice or something I believe.”
I blinked at her and then slowly looked back at Aurora. “Do you know of anyone who received that magical brand while you were there? In the last fifty years when it was against the law?”
She nodded. “One of Andrew’s daughters was born about thirty years ago and received it. A few cousins had daughters as well. Father will have all of the maps in his study. They’re framed.”
I took her hands in mine and just kissed them. “Do you want to free them, beauty? I think that’s the penance you’ve needed. Let’s get those daughters free and somewhere safe, not just you getting damages for your abuse, yeah?”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’ll tell everything. I tried to tell Theresa and Ellie that I had information. I know the warlock Father uses. I did his books for a while, so I know accounts and—I know lots. I know I’m stupid and fooled easily, but I pay attention.”
“You’re not—”
“Can we really save Andrew’s daughter? She’s such a sweet girl and he’s such a monster,” she choked out. “She cried when I was kicked out. She used to love coming to my room and reading with me.”
“Where was her mother?” Alexis asked quietly.
Aurora swallowed loudly and met her gaze. “Andrew broke her. She doesn’t speak or—she’s like a puppet who smiles when told. Whatever he did to her after they were married—he broke her completely. She’s empty inside now.”
I never thought anyone could be bigger monsters than the family I’d been adopted into, but the world seemed so much darker now that I heard this fucking shit. I told Aurora that we’d do the best we could as long as she held on for me and kept fighting. I saw her drive return.
Not for herself but for the other girls of the Graves family.
At least that was a start.
At least that would keep her around and give her purpose even if her regret and grief at what happened with Ellie and Theresa pulled her into the darkness.
9
Aurora
Things got much better after I had my breakdown. That wasn’t something that sounded possible, but… Life was very strange and change could be around the least likely corners.
Alexis contacted the woman who ran our support group and she actually came and spent the weekend with me, answering the question I had asked Alexis about how to not make others feel bad. Her answer was simple—I couldn’t control the feelings of others. I had said the right thing with Creed and it wasn’t a competition.
