The only answer that I could think of as a means to go forward was clear—we needed someone on the inside. But not a lowly minion. We needed someone on the top.
How do we get that person, though?
It’s been long speculated that those in charge remain anonymous because they didn’t want retaliation. They wanted to protect their families. Yeah, hypocritical.
Taking a breath, I tried to release my thoughts with the exhale. It was difficult to go through an entire day without falling down that dark and dreary rabbit hole. Looking over my shoulder and just waiting for more bad news. Another blow.
I was exaggerating when I said I couldn’t get through a day without these thoughts. In reality, I couldn’t get through a whole hour without them.
Curling up in a blanket on my balcony, I watched the overcast day. Living on an island meant it was usually sunny. Storms that come along usually do just that. Come and go, lingering occasionally around our house but ultimately disperse. I thought it was the mood of twelve storms plus Hadley’s nine parents that were making the clouds gather and stick around.
A flitting thought that it’s basically a beacon sitting over our house telling the world—and Silence—that a house of monsters live here passed through my mind. But what did it matter? It’s not like we could just tell ourselves that everything was fine and it be that way.
Because it wasn’t.
A hand tangling in my hair made me close my eyes. I took a breath, smelling the deep earth within the energy hanging heavy in the air as Raiden moved beside me. I knew it was Raiden without looking. The strong foundational energy that is the quake brothers is accompanied by a soft floral scent when it’s Saar.
“What’re you doing?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Sitting here.”
“Thinking dark and damning thoughts?”
I snorted, glancing up at him. “Why do you think that?”
“Well, if you’re on the third floor and catch a glimpse of the ocean in the distance, you can see it raging.” He looked down at me with a knowing smirk.
Sighing, I leaned back in the chair. “Yeah, well. Are your thoughts filled with rainbows and jewels?”
Raiden crouched next to me, pulling my face to his. “No. But everyone I love is under a single roof. I know where they are. I know they’re safe. Right now, that’s going to have to be enough to satisfy me.”
“How long are we safe here?” I asked, not really wanting the answer.
“How long until we’re followed individually?” he countered.
I scowled, glaring at him. Yes, the thought had popped up many times, but I’d violently shoved it away, unable to fathom that thought. But if you can’t take a dozen storms together, you sure as fuck can take them out individually.
“I know you don’t want to think about it. Neither do I. But right now, it’s a risk we’re taking. It’s a risk everyone is taking these days. Even humans. But unlike the clueless humans in the world, we at least know the threat is there and can prepare for it. The vast population cannot.”
“Are you saying that I shouldn’t worry because they have it worse?”
Raiden laughed, resting his forehead against mine. “No, Bronte. Not at all.”
“Then what?”
He shook his head against mine, his hand in my hair tightening. “I don’t really know. I guess maybe I just need us to pretend a little sometimes.”
“Pretend that life is normal and nothing is chasing us? That we get to enjoy our happily ever after now that we have our wife?” My tone was bitter because it wasn’t fucking fair. Wejustgot Hadley. We shouldn’t have to face this shit right now. We should have the chance to enjoy our family and grow together!
Raiden nodded. “Yes, exactly.”
I humphed, making him chuckle. He pulled me to my feet, stripping the blanket from me before sitting where I was and pulling me onto his lap, the blanket settling around us. As much as I wanted to pout and stay irritated, I loved being in his arms. I loved being in all of my husbands’ arms and my wife’s. It’s the only place I wanted to be.
A low rumble in the distance made me look at the sky again. Since there were trees in our backyard that were old and tall, I could barely see the horizon. Not enough to make out the ocean but just a hint beyond to the big storm cell looming. There were blue skies out to sea.
Sighing, I leaned back.
Closing my eyes, I concentrated on Raiden’s mouth at my neck. Slow, soft kisses that he peppered over my skin. His arms wrapped tightly around me, holding me close against his chest. The heavy blanket draped over us, keeping out the cool breeze that came with the darkened sky.
