Rory wanted Gedeon’s blood. She hoped she wouldn’t thirst for Adila’s too.
Killing Adila would be easy. She felt the itch of The Butcher, and watching theRoyalswho wronged her mate swing from a hook was tempting. If the intrusive thoughts made her a monster, so be it. She was already one, anyway.
Sitting up, she threw her legs over the side of the bed and spotted Caius’ book sitting on her nightstand.
Chuckling humorlessly, she revisited the night he sent her back. She’d thought he couldn’t sleep, nervous about his return to Erdikoa, and had wanted to give him his book to read, hoping itwould calm his nerves. That’s why she held it when she disappeared.
How stupid she’d been. Thinking of Vincula, her eyes burned at the loss of her friends.Would she ever see them again?By the time Bellina returned, Rory might be dead, and Kit and Cat wouldn’t remember her.
Her mother.Rory pressed a hand to her chest to stop the ache.
If she hadn’t been overcome by anger, hurt, and lust last night, she would’ve sent Caius with a message for her mother. She perked up.
Sam and Lauren.One of them could carry a letter back to her mother and friends in the prison realm. She knew they wouldn’t deny her that. It was a viable solution until she could return.
Staying in Erdikoa wasn’t an option, and hiding her departure from her friends and family wasn’t an option, either. Honesty was what they deserved, and they would understand once she explained her situation.She hoped they would.
Once dressed and downstairs, she sought out her father and Lauren, finding them in the kitchen, deep in conversation. “Good morning.”
They turned to her, and her father’s lips lifted into a small smile. “I heard you have your memories back.” She nodded, and he crossed the room, wrapping her in a hug. “I’m sorry.”
She needn’t ask what for. Being taken away from her friends and family, only to later be taken away from her soulmate and other friends, was hard, and her father always knew how she felt. Cora had been the same way.
He kissed her forehead. “I have an errand to run this morning, but I’ll see you before I leave for work.”
She said goodbye, made herself coffee, and leaned on the counter next to Lauren. “Can you deliver a letter to my mother and friends in Vincula for me?”
Lauren smirked. “Want me to take a few nudes to Caius, too?”
Coffee spewed all over the floor as Rory choked. “What is wrong with you?”
Laughing, Lauren pushed off the counter and handed Rory a hand towel to clean up the mess.
“Why would he need a picture when he can see the real thing every night?” Rory asked as she wiped at the mess.
Lauren pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of Rory glaring over her coffee cup. “He misses you during the day, too, you know.”
Rory missed him, too. “I’m still not sending nudes.”
TheAngellifted a shoulder. “Suit yourself, but instead of a letter, you can send them a video.”
“How?” Rory asked, excited. Could they send her one too?
Lauren waved her phone. “There’s no service in Vincula, but Caius can power a phone with his essence. I’ll record a few videos and show them. I don’t need service to play anything from my camera roll.” TheAngelpaused. “And I had your mother record you something, too.”
Rory’s heart stuttered in her chest. “And you’re just now telling me? Can I see?”
After tapping a few buttons on her phone, Lauren handed it to her. “I wanted to wait until the time was right. I’ll let you watch them in private.”
Tears threatened to make themselves known, but Rory pushed them down. “You act tough, but you’re secretly nice.”
Lauren snorted. “I’m kind, not nice, and I don’tacttough. I am. I’ll be in the living room. Come find me when you’re done.”
Rory’s hands shook as she stared at the phone in her hand, and when she tapped play, the tears sprang free. “Hello, love,” her mother said into the camera with a familiar smile. Rory clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a sob. “I know you’re already crying, so I’ll make this short. I’m proud of you, and I’ve always known what you did for the people you saved.” The sob escaped past her hand, and Rory hung her head in shame. “Stop feeling ashamed,” her mother scolded, making her laugh. “I am well and enjoying myself. The only thing missing is you and your father.” Her mother’s eyes sparkled at the mention of her ex-husband. “Don’t worry about me here, and I’ll see you soon, love. I love you.”
She grabbed a towel and dried her face, willing herself to stop crying. Lauren gave her this, and no matter what theAngelsaid, she was one of the best people Rory had ever met. Telling her would only end in Rory getting her ass kicked, but she would find a way to repay her.
When she walked into the living room and handed Lauren back her phone, theAngelpocketed it. “Any plans today?” she asked before Rory could thank her. She cleared her throat, and her friend narrowed her eyes. “What pain in the ass thing are you planning today?”
