This isn’t good. I should try to do something to calm his nerves. How do I do that when there’s an elephant sitting on my chest? The brand on my back burns like it was just done a day ago, not way back when I was around Gemma’s age.
Pull yourself together.
Maddox has the neighborhood locked down tight. You’re safe. Daria’s safe… “Daria.”
Talon turns to me and raises an eyebrow. How do I explain? What is there that I could possibly say that would make any rational sense? I shake my head and stand in silence.
Deafening silence. Daria’s sister is alive.
And I left her alone with that monster for all those years.
The world goes fuzzy.
“Sit down.” Talon is by my side. “Sit down before you fall down.”
I won’t fall down. I can’t fall down. There’s too much to do. And not enough time to do it. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. Don’t make me put you over my other shoulder.” Talon can be way more intimidating than Max.
It’s just easier not to fight with him.
Hope comes out a few minutes later with a sandwich and several cookies. She looks at me strangely before walking over to Gemma. “This is my favorite cookie. It’s a plain chocolate chip, but they’re always the best.” Hope breaks off a piece and puts it in her mouth before holding the rest up for the little girl to take.
Gemma.
She named her Gemma, like we always talked about. “I need to call Daria. Someone needs to go get Daria. She can’t leave Willow Street anymore. It’s not safe. It’s not safe. Knight. I’ll call Knight. He’ll take care of her.”
“You’ll do no such thing. War will pick up your sister. And we’re ready to go to the clinic now.”
No. Not him. Not them. I can’t involve them. “You need to go home. Give me Gemma and take Hope home.” They can’t be here. They can’t get involved.
“Right now, the only thing that’s happening is we’re walking Gemma to the clinic, and then you’re going to answer some questions.”
No, I’m not. I’m going to get Maddox to kick them off The Street. Then lock things down until I can rescue a friend and kill a monster. A shudder runs through me.
You can shower when you’re done.
Now, you need to walk to the clinic. “Let’s go.”
Maddox arrives at the clinic’s back door at the same time we do. “What’s wrong?”
“You need a full lockdown now.”
He freezes. “Fea?”
“Every kid needs to be picked up.”
His eyes widen. “You’re sure.”
“It’s branded on her back.”
He nods. “It’ll be done. You're sure this isn’t Micky?”
“One hundred percent. You’re looking at Daria’s niece.”
Maddox gasps. “I thought you said it was done.”
“I thought it was. I thought it was all over.” Tears fight their way into my eyes. “Maddox, you need to make them leave.”
