Reading between the lines, I tentatively probe, “Was that a relief, or miserable? I thought most shifters preferred being able to shift whenever without fear of humans retaliating.”
He stills. “Honestly?” With a huge sigh, he deflates, focusing on the computer instead of looking at me. “I hated it. I hate camping, the heat, and how boring it all is. And I hate that I was supposed to simply appreciate not being murdered like it was some sort of benevolence instead of the fucking bare minimum. When I came out here-” he shakes his head and scoffs “-I’ve tried for years to get my family to visit me; even offered to pay their way, just so they could see how different everything could be.”
Understanding his frustration, I reach over and help him into the avatar creation screen. “While we may hate where we grew up, it was all we knew, until we knew better. And for people that are too afraid to even venture into the fringe towns, hopping on a train to go halfway across the country to a major city must seem like a death sentence, no matter logically knowing you’re here alive and well.”
He looks heartbroken as he says, “And if they realize it’s better, yet can’t afford to stay, have to go back, it’s actually worse. Right now they can delude themselves that they’re doing all that they can, make their peace with their lot in life.”
My fingers hover over my keyboard. “Knowing there’s something better and unable to keep it is a torture all on its own. Going back home after seeing this place would be painful to endure, so I get why their subconscious is keeping them from visiting; I really do. So try not to take it personally. For what it’s worth though?”
He faces me and my stomach flips with the quiet agony in his gaze. For his benefit, I smile, but I’m well aware it doesn’t reach my eyes. “I’m happy you got out, even if you feel guilty about leaving them behind to seek better for yourself. Family is hard. I’m sure if you asked, though, Malcolm would arrange for you to go home and visit, or them to come out here if you could finally convince them.”
He gives me a resigned smile. “They’re not coming. But maybe someday we can make a trip back out there if things calm down. You can reconnect with any family you’ve got out that way, and I can introduce you to mine. And we can both sleep easy at night knowing we don’t have to stay; that we managed to escape.”
I bite the inside of my cheek and turn back to my screen, sending him the invite to join my party. “Who’d have thought freedom had so many strings attached? They sure as shit lied to us about becoming adults, didn’t they?”
He snorts, hunching over on the couch to reach the table, looking incredibly uncomfortable, and I make a mental note to figure out a better set up. “One hundred percent. Made it out to be all this freedom and power, and really, we’re everyone’s bitch. Our bosses, the government. Bills. I didn’t appreciate naptime nearly enough as a kid.”
Chuckling, we meet up with the other member of our party and I give him a quick heads up that we’re going to coverBearwithme’s ass through the next level since he’s a noob. “Good thing we married up in the world, then, huh? After we tackle the next boss, we can cash in on one of those naps we missed out on.”
Chapter 15
Scarlett
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Eyes closed, I rubat my ear, growing increasingly frustrated. “Okay, walk me through it one more time.”
“Hold on,” Malcolm interrupts, dragging me across the smooth, flat rock that the three of us are situated on top of at the end of the beach.
The spring air is relatively cool with a heavy breeze, bringing with it the scents of a few people walking along the shore in the distance, mixed with the salty tang of the sea. We scaled the rocky outcropping amidst the smattering of trees and unkempt foliage, giving us the illusion of privacy. Not many people are out here since it’s too chilly to swim, but there are still a handful walking along the beach, and we’d all rather avoid close calls. I may need to get used to being around people, but right now, I’m just happy to feel the sun on my face again, to see the ocean up close for the first time.
Malcolm slides me between Kasen’s legs, pushing my back into his broad chest. “The wind shifted.”
I hum in agreement. Last thing we need is even a faint trace of vampire to reach the people walking and think some are hiding in the rocky terrain behind us. So far we haven’t had any issues, but all it takes is once. While Malcolm assures me that he and his friend Archer are hard at work implementing plans, using what they’ve learned from Evie’s studies, it’s difficult to imagine them actually going well. Best laid plans and all that jazz.
Honestly, though? Even if I have to spend the rest of my life hidden away, a penthouse with an ocean view and not having to work isn’t anything to sneeze at. There are much worse ways to spend an existence, as I’ve unfortunately discovered, so I’m not really losing any sleep if things don’t work out like he’s hoping. I’m happy sneaking in the occasional brief outing when I can, and the company at home is way better than hitting a bar on the weekend with my old coworkers.
