Thorin snorts. “Prepare yourself for it to happen often. It shouldn’t stick for another month though.”
The four of us hop in the truck and we drive off, stopping in town for some food and supplies. We’re walking through the aisle of the grocery store picking up mostly junk food andliquor, to Khalil’s annoyance, when Aurelia stops by the stand of magazines.
I only glance her way before I search the store for any lingering gazes. Keeping our heads on a swivel is what we do whenever we bring Aurelia into town, which we don’t do often for this very reason. She—who is supposed to be dead—is still at risk of being recognized, so whenever we see someone looking too closely her way, one of us will kiss her senseless to block her from view. It really sends them scattering when we take turns.
Scandalous, they whisper.
Aurelia was annoyed at being judged at first, but now she thinks it’s hilarious, and so do I. What can I say? She breathes, and my heart sings.
When I finish my scan and notice her still over by the magazines, staring at the front cover of one, I wander over and cage her in with my hand braced on the wall. “Anything interesting?”
She turns slowly, and the crestfallen look on her face immediately puts me on edge. She doesn’t say anything, but the hand holding the magazine trembles, so I take it from her and read the cover.
The Estate of Aurelia George sued—Lawsuit reaches $40 million
“It says my uncle is refusing to pay a penny to the families who lost a loved one in the crash because of the contract they signed when they were employed waiving indemnity. They lost their—” Her voice catches as tears build in her eyes before falling uncontrollably. “Some of them werefathers, Seth. They hadchildren, and my uncle doesn’t care. He still won’t pay.”
“Shit, Sunshine.” I pull her into me, and she sobs into my chest.
“He can’t get away with this.”
“He won’t.”
“I’m going to fucking kill him.”
“You will.” I promise. If she can get to him before I do.
“What’s up?” Khalil asks as he walks over. “What happened?”
“Later.”
Aurelia turns without a word and grabs every magazine from the stands before handing them to Thorin, who stares after her when she leaves the store. He walks over to the cashier to pay. Khalil and I follow her back to the truck, and then we drive back to the cabin in silence once Thorin catches up.
The moment we’re inside, Aurelia begins poring over every magazine looking for more information about the lawsuit. As it turns out, not only is her uncle trying to get the courts to waive the seven-year-rule for the presumption of death, but he’s also ignoring the cries of the victims’ families while silently selling off her catalogs to the highest bidder.
When she’s done, Aurelia doesn’t say a word for the rest of the night, but I can see the silent fury sliding over her features as she plots her vengeance and more. It’s a few more hours before she tucks it all away. I’m sitting on the front porch staring at the moon—for some fucking reason—when the front door opens behind me. I know it’s her by her soft footsteps. She lowers herself onto the step next to me, and we sit quietly for a few moments before she speaks.
“Are you ready?” she whispers.
I peer down at her with my brow raised. “Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“We made a promise.”
“That we did,” I agree even though I’m more than a little reluctant to keep it. But if I don’t, why should Zeke? I stand and help Aurelia up, and then we walk away from the cabin and out of the clearing together. We walk in silence until we reach a precipice not far away that has a clear view of the moon. It’s so close that it feels as if I could reach out and touch it. But Idon’t, because I’m too busy drinking in the sight of Aurelia in the moonlight. She’s the real breathtaking image.
Aurelia steps closer to me and rests her soft fingers on my forehead just above my brows. It’s something we’ve been practicing and perfecting these last three months. Feeling her one last time helps to calm me. Helps me to say goodbye, to let go.
“I love you,” she whispers.
“I love you more, Sunshine.”
Softly, she trails her fingers down my face and whispers, “Chrysalis.”
EZEKIEL
She’s the first thing I see when I wake up, and just like all the other times, I feel my racing heartbeat slow a lot quicker than it would if she hadn’t been there.
“I’m here. You’re safe,” she says. “We’re still in the Cold Peaks, not far from the cabin. It’s only been a day since you were last awake. Khalil and Thorin are fine, and everyone’s safe.”
