“It does.”
Cassie leans forward with interest. “What can you remember?”
“Only that I was married.”
I shiver.
“Gideon Fox, apparently.”
“Wow!”
Their eyes widen. “Anything else?” Imogen asks, and I shrug. “I only know what Ryder told me. That my real name is Aspen Costello, and I was married to Gideon Fox. Then I was apparently sent to a sanatorium in Switzerland when I lost my mind, and he divorced me when it was obvious I wouldn’t recover.”
“That’s bullshit.”
Cassie sounds enraged, and Imogen’s mom shakes her head.
“Language, Cassie.”
Cassie grins at Imogen, who rolls her eyes. “Mom, you curse like a soldier, why can’t we?”
“Because you’re not married, honey, and when you are, you have earned the right to cuss because you have every reason to.”
She winks, and Cassie grins. “I’m amazed my mom isn’t cussing every other word then.”
We giggle, and Jennifer chuckles. “I doubt your mom has much to cuss about, Cassie. Your father can’t do enough for her.”
“It’s the same for all of you, Jennifer. Flash is besotted, even after all these years.”
“That’s what happens when you meet your soulmate.”
Jennifer sighs. “Speaking of soulmates, I need to change. I’m meeting Flash and the others in the bar. It’s Friday night, which means I may be late.”
She turns to me. “Nice meeting you, honey. Come and say hi when you make it to the bar later. I heard Blade is responsible for your baptism of fire, and for your own sanity, there is nothing to fear. We’ll be watching out for you, and the men are respectful and the whores friendly. Just enjoy your evening and forget any worries you may have.”
She turns and heads to the door, and Imogen groans. “One day we will walk into that bar and have every right to be there.”
“Why can’t you go now?”
Cassie shrugs. “Daddy says it’s not fair on the Reapers. They go there to relax and around us they must mind their language and manners. It’s their space to let off steam after a hard day, and I understand that. Plus, who wants to socialize with your parents?”
“Ugh, gross.”
Imogen pretends to gag.
“But Drake is a Reaper, does he use the bar?”
“Occasionally, but only to relax with the guys. He, well, comes and finds me if he wants company.”
“And your parents are good with that?”
“They turn a blind eye. They’re kind of cool and don’t question me when I take the walk of shame and come home early in the morning.”
Cassie rolls her eyes. “Everyone knows Drake and Imogen are in love, and yet they’re still pretending it’s not happening. It will only change when they get married and the Reapers arrange for another house to be built on the grounds.”
“You are so lucky.”
I think about the community they live in and love the sense of family and loyalty they all share. My thoughts turn to Blade, and a shiver passes through me because more than anything, I wish that in a perfect world, one of those houses will be built with our name on it.
