Bellamy’s jaw tics. “It tried to eat you.”
“Hence why I was bringing him food!” she argues.
Bell’s eye twitches. “You’re not feeding my mate to the basilisk, Kiara. End of story.”
“Of course not, I was going to see if she wanted to helpmefeed it, you big buzzkill. But fine, I’ll drop it.” She winks at me and mouths ‘Later.’
I snort, shaking my head, knowing there’s no way in hellthat’sgoing to happen. But one thing’s for certain; I don’t need to worry about Kiara coming with us. It’s the world that needs to brace itself forher.
Chapter 11
Arson
Iwatch from the shadow realm as Elder Naomi picks up the note on her desk, brow furrowed as she reads aloud, “Destroy the evidence of Everest's parents, they're onto us.” Shaking her head slightly in confusion, she looks to where I’m hiding. “Evidence? What on earth are you talking about? Did you figure out who they are?”
Huffing in annoyance, I step out of the shadows. It was a last ditch plan I really hoped would work. Kind of forgot Ever isn't the only one that can sense me in the shadow realm; it's a mimic thing.
Kind of hard to stalk the assholes and learn anything useful, the dicks.
“No,” I growl. “Everyone I talked to is infuriatingly unhelpful.”
She pointedly raises a silver eyebrow. “Maybe if you weren't constantly tormenting them, they'd be more interested in helping.”
No, that doesn't sound right at all.
“I thought elders were supposed to be wise?”
She slumps in her chair. “It was a long shot anyway, as I already warned you. I can't imagine anyone here would have left a child behind and not begged the rescue team for assistance in extracting her.”
My chest heaves with barely contained rage, imagining it. Those wastes of space sitting around here safe and cozy while they left my angel to fend for herself in the cruel worldas a baby.
They better hope I don't find them alive.
Without a parting word, I step back into the shadows, searching out the only person in this maze worth seeing. For just a moment before they realize I’m there, I simply watch the four of them. Ledger has our girl on his lap on the long bench in the dining hall, hand feeding Ever dinner. On either side of them is my brother and Bellamy, acting as buffers between her and all the assholes mooning over her with covetous eyes.
Even though every bastard in this place looks at me like I’m some abomination, Ever claimed me.Me.A scarred monster that even his parents couldn’t love.
I hope they choke on their envy.
Slipping out of the shadows, I bury my face in the crook of her neck, but even the sweet, citrusy scent of my mate doesn’t curb the frustrating feeling of failure crushing my shoulders.
“I was wondering when you’d show up,” she says softly, running her fingers through my hair. “Hungry?”
My chest tightens painfully. I don’t deserve to eat; not when I’ve failed her at every turn. And still, she worries about me. Shecares.
Gotta do better. I’m supposed to be her right hand man. I need to get my shit together now that my leg is healed.
Yanking the paper out of my back pocket, I unfold it and slam it onto the table harder than I intended. Biting the cap off my marker, I cross another face off the list, grumbling to myself.
Ledger hand feeds her another grape, taking care of our mate as if it’s second nature to predict her needs. Andhisinstincts are clearly on point.Dick.“Why are you so worked up about this when Ever isn't?”
“Because I finally figured out why the Fates thought Ever needed me.” Avoiding his eye, I slash out the next face hard enough to tear the paper. “Her parents deserve to burn for trying to burn her center tattoo off as a baby and abandoning her. And I intend to enjoy every minute of their karma.”
Peering at Ledger’s surprised face from the corner of my eye, I grunt, “Don't worry, your piece of shit sperm donor’s on my list, too. We’re all claiming the couple that adopted Myles as our parents, too. On the bright side, that’ll make holidays easy; only one place to visit.” I pause, turning my attention to Bell. “What about yours? Want me to take care of them while we’re here?”
Shadows flash in his silvery irises. “They’re dead.”
Dipping my head in acknowledgment, I weigh my options, then begrudgingly slide the page in front of him and tap a few faces. “I haven’t been able to find these four. Any idea where I should look?”
