For a long moment, he didn't answer. Then, quietly, he spoke, "I still don’t know, sis. All I can say is that. . .I believe. . .you learn to carry it.”
I stilled. “Carry it.”
“The weight never gets lighter, but you get stronger. And eventually, you stop trying to carry it alone."
I pulled back just enough to look at his face.
His expression was open in a way I'd never seen—not the sharpness of the predator, not the playful smirk. This was Hiro unmasked, and he looked so damned sad.
"We need you, Nyomi." His hands came up to frame my face, and his thumbs brushed away tears I hadn't realized were falling. "All of us need you. Kenji, me, the Claws, the Fangs—we need you. Your warmth. Your love and honesty. Your ability to see people when everyone else looks right through them."
“What about the Roar?”
“What?”
“You left him out.” I tried to make light of this moment. “Surely Reo needs me too.”
To my surprise, worry hit his face. “Well. . .let’s hope Reo is. . .still with us.”
“What does that mean?”
“If the pyre was moved, then Reo did it, and that means he did that for a reason that only he understands, and no matter how he will explain it to my brother. . .”
“What?”
“Let’s just say that Reo will need to deal with whatever comes to him today.”
I left Hiro’s arms. “What the hell does that mean?”
“I don’t know.”
“You do know.”
“I don’t. This is new territory. Reo doesn’t usually go against a direct order from my brother. I was there last night when Kenji told Reo where to put the pyre and that he didn’t want you to see it.”
My bottom lip quivered.
“And this is also new territory because . . .Kenji has never had a woman around us that he’s cared about so. . .I don’t know what my brother will do to Reo.”
“Oh no. I don’t want anything to happen to Reo just because I got upset.” I began to walk around him.
Hiro stopped me. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to make sure Reo is fine.”
“That would just make it worse.”
“How?”
“First, my brother would get jealous that you’re checking on his Roar. And that would only cause Reo more pain than he’s probably already dealing with. Second, the act of your going to make sure Reo is okay, would suggest to everyone that you think Reo is weak.”
I held out my hands. “Both things are ridiculous.”
“Yet, this is our way. Are you going to accept it or try to challenge our ways?”
“I’m. . .”
He leaned his head to the side.
