“And those wings? Did he give you those?”
I shook my head. “These were always mine. I just needed to claim them. Something you would have realized had you not interfered in my memories and psyche.” She opened her mouth and took a step toward me. “Not now,” I snapped. Maybe not ever. I was at war. I would prefer to have them at my side, but I couldn’t risk the deception. Their future in my life would depend on their explanation.
I flicked my fingers, and everyone but Hudson skidded across the wooden floor and out of the room. The last thing I saw was the shocked faces of my aunts and Dave before the door slammed closed and the wards shimmered, protecting us from prying ears, bossy shifters, and determined family members.
Hudson’s eyes narrowed. I waved my hand at the armchair in invitation. “Sit down, Principal.”
He eyed the sofa.
Try it, I dare you.
His jaw ticced as he stalked across the room and decided on the chair opposite me. “Did he touch you?” Hudson’s voice was low, dangerous.
“Yes.”
The sound he made wasn’t human—a snarl that rippled through the air and raised the hair on my nape. Shadows trembled against the walls, reacting to his fury.
Indigo stirred inside me, that part of my soul they’d tried to bury. Our mate doesn’t get to growl at us.“Careful,”she purred, her voice curling like smoke.“I could eat him.”
Hudson’s eyes widened, and Bella stirred from her position next to me, before stretching out and choosing to lie on her side.
“She still talks to you?” he asked.
I nodded. “For now. She is a part of me unencumbered by the manipulations of those I loved.”
“Loved?”
“What?”
Hudson leaned forward and glared. “As in past tense, Cora.”
“You can’t wipe out an emotional connection like that.” I snapped my fingers. “But until I decide if you are worth forgiving, you can classify our relationship as being on ice.”
“Not a chance.”
“I wasn’t asking permission.”
“Think what you want,” he said, voice rough. “But I know what I know. You and I are endgame.”
End, maybe. I wasn’t sure about the game.
“This isn’t about the future,” I said. “It’s about the past and why you thought you had the right to rewrite mine.”
“And I need to know where he touched you.”
I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. “My arm while teleporting me here.”
“He knows where you live?”
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “This isn’t the supernatural CIA, Hudson, it’s a bed-and-breakfast in White Castle that is overrun with ghosts. While I don’t think Donn will be surfing the net and stalking social media as an internet detective, I have no doubt he could locate me with the snap of his fingers.”
“He’s our enemy, Cora.”
I dropped my arm to the side. “No, he’s our ally.”
“So he’s helping us?”
This next part would be tricky. “Yes.”
