The color drains from Ledger’s face. “Because Elias Vasher is Oscar’s son.”
Well that… clears up nothing.
Bellamy is on the same page as me. “Who the hell’s Oscar?”
Ledger shares an uneasy look with our mate. “The man that saved me from my father. And sent Ever to Mercy Ridge.”
Chapter 12
Bellamy
Sitting on top of the suitcase, I fight with the zipper until it finally closes. Everything I own is reduced to two bags, one of which is completely filled with tech. Monitors, I’ll buy when we get back to Mercy Ridge, but my tower and hard drives? Those are irreplaceable. All the programs I’ve written to break through firewalls and hijack security feeds are stored in there; it’d take years to replace that work. Hell, my backpack only has one spare outfit because I was running out of room for the things I couldn’t imagine leaving behind.
Sighing, I set my bag down, running out of excuses to procrastinate. “Time to rip off the bandage.”
Myles rummages around in a small basket in the corner before pulling something out with a triumphant smile. “I’ll come with you, I have something to show your grandma.”
I raise an eyebrow, but don’t ask; I’ll find out soon enough. Sure, it’s annoying that Ledger instilled the rule that Ever and I always have an escort, like I can’t protect myself, but even though I’ll never admit it, it’s… kind of nice. Their protection feels different than what I’m used to in the compound. Those mysts look at us like delicate unicorns in need of knights inshining armor. Ledger, Myles, and Arson? They know I’m a threat and respect me for it. But care enough to insist on giving me back up anyway.
Admittedly, the kidnapping wasn’t exactly my best moment. I let my guard down because they were my own men. I’ll never make that mistake again, though. Not when Ever could pay the price for my carelessness.
Our footsteps echo in the otherwise empty tunnel, the awkward silence threatening to suffocate us before we reach the end. Myles breaks first.
He looks around at the glowing streaks threaded through the stonework around us wistfully. “I can see why you wanted to bring her here.” Watching me from the corner of his eye, he chooses his next words carefully. “Are you sure about this? It’s a lot to give up. An elder seat. Your family. Your home.”
Is he serious? I thought he was the smart one.
“I’m not giving anything up. I’ve always felt like an outsider here; it’s one of the reasons I was so excited to have Ever to myself. But there’s something about Mercy Ridge that feels more like home than this place ever has.”
He dips his head and smiles softly, satisfied with my answer and dropping the subject as we continue the walk in relative silence. But his question did stir up something that I’ve been carefully avoiding thinking about.
I’m officially out of a job. I can do anything I want with my life now, and that’s terrifying in its own right.
WhatdoI want to do with my life? I’m nearly thirty, for fucks’ sake, I can’t start over now… can I? I’m supposed to have everything figured out and be halfway to retirement.
But was I ever actually happy?
Lost in my thoughts, I jolt when Myles knocks on the door, not even realizing we’d arrived. As someone calls out to enter,we step through to find my grandmother and two other elders seated around the council table.
Her face lights up in surprise. “Boys! What an unexpected pleasure. What brings you by?”
Subtly sucking in a deep breath, I brace myself for her reaction. “I came to say goodbye. Now that Ever’s got a better handle on her powers, it’s time for us to head out. The wards have been strengthened and my replacement knows how to navigate the computer system I established; there’s no reason for us to stick around anymore.”
Her face crumbles, and I feel like a real piece of shit. But I can’t let her guilt trip me into living a life I don’t want. “I’ve already laid the groundwork for people to accept your bondmates despite their less than savory introduction to our society. And your mate will be safe here, free to be herself. Isn’t that why you left in the first place? To bring her home where you could keep her safe?”
“I didn’t really understand until I left, but… there’s more to life than being safe.”
Tears spring to her eyes. “Tell that to Emma. Or Mateo.Anyof the people you’ve rescued. And yet you want to put your mate at risk for… what? What could you possibly have up there that we couldn't find a way to bring down here?”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Freedom.”
“You’re free to be yourself here!”
With a sad shake of my head, I soften my voice. “That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”
She swipes at her watery eyes. “Your parents were the same. Restless. Jumping at any chance to leave for a mission. And look where it got them.”
Hackles raised, I struggle not to bite her head off. “They died doing what they loved, saving people and bringing them here where they’d have the kind of life they desperately needed.That’s what made them happy; having a purpose. Adventures. Taking risks while exploring the world and feeling alive. Not sitting at home while life passed them by.”
