“You do have a point. If he had already made the initial connection with her, it would have been nothing to twist his image in her mind of him. But that just brings up another question as to why,” Levi points out.
I let out a frustrated sigh and lean back against the sofa, letting the picture fall into my lap.
“Why can’t people just stay out of my head? It’s hard enough just being me without the extra layers,” I moan, not truly believing what the others are saying. If that’s really my father in this picture, why is he hiding from me?
Knots picks up the picture to get a better look, and I’m still raw with how to feel around him. I’m frustrated and angry, yet extremely sad that we just can’t see eye to eye on things. But I said I would let him do his thing, and I’ll keep my word even though it’s already slowly ripping me apart inside.
“I don’t know who the man is, but no one could forget Liliwen after meeting her,” he states, setting the picture back in my lap. “That’s who’s in the picture.”
“Who?” Lynx asks.
“The Fate that died.”
Fuck me, no wonder I have the Fates on my ass.
CHAPTER 11
The Shiny Guardian
Rez
After the shocking revelation of the picture I had, we make the quick decision that we will leave tomorrow morning for the Road of Worth. Unfortunately, I don’t agree with leaving so soon, but I really don’t have a leg to stand on since time isn’t on our side.
So, as everyone splits off to gather supplies for our trip tomorrow, I grab Reaper and curl up in the corner of the library for a minute to myself. I stare at the picture before me, willing it to change like one of those pictures where you stare at the dots long enough to where you start to see a picture hidden within. What’s that called…oh yeah, a stereogram. Well, I’m hoping if I stare long enough, I’ll find a damn answer to the riddle of my life because living it sure isn’t doing it for me.
“Ever feel like your life is spiraling out of control and you have no say in the matter,” I whisper into Reaper’s warm flames. He licks my face and steps into my lap, only to knock my picture out of my hand. “Hey,” I giggle. “Watch it.” I settle him down into my lap and gently pull the picture out from underneathhim, not at all worried he could burn it. It seems his flames are something he can control, which I’m grateful for. “I guess you could relate more before I found you since you were about to be sold as parts. I should have killed that breeder, huh?” I say, hugging him. “Woah,” I pull back, looking down at my puppers with wide eyes. Since when did I turn into a mama bear willing to kill someone for slighting their loved ones so easily? He licks me once more, and I melt against him. “Aww, I guess it’s easy when you're so lovable.” I kiss Reaper on the nose and situate him in my lap to take one more look at my picture and freeze.
Even though Reaper’s flames didn’t burn the picture up, they seemed to have damaged the image to the point the burned paper has warped the details of their faces and upper bodies, and my heart sinks at the knowledge that I won’t be able to study it more thoroughly.
“Nerezza? Are you hungry?” Sierra’s voice rings out, scaring me to death, and I quickly get up and tuck the picture into my back pocket.
“Hey,” my voice cracks, but I give her a smile as she appears around the bookshelf. “Yeah, I could definitely eat.”
“Good. I made lunch and plan on cooking some decent food for your trip,” she says, reaching out for me. Pulling me into her, she gives me a hug as we walk back to the dining room, Reaper weaving between our feet, almost making us trip.
We make it to the dining room in one piece and are the last to show up. Tempest is in JP’s lap, soaking up all of Zeke’s attention as he plays peek-a-boo with her. Which does not at all help JP feed her what looks like smashed peas. But it’s a cute sight to see. It gives me a look into the possible future if we ever decide to have kids. Though, with how my life is going, I’m not even sure it would be safe to have them. With that glum thought, I sit between Levi and Knox, and the latter leans to pull me into a hug and kiss my forehead.
“Feeling better, Kitten?” he whispers as his worry reaches me through our link. I try to send him some reassurance to soothe him, but his cocked eyebrow tells me it didn’t work.
“I’m more confused than ever, but I’ll be okay,” I tell him, squeezing his thigh and smiling. I quickly shove a roll in my mouth to avoid conversation as lunch continues.
The meal passes quickly, and we go back to restocking and packing up our supplies, or in my case, starting. I’m in the all-purpose room, gathering bandages and some herbs I’m sure might be useful if we get in a pinch, which is likely when it comes to our group when I hear a strange laugh. Looking over, I spot Lynx holding a squirming Tempest like she’s a piranha. She’s reaching for his face, and he’s holding her out at arm's length with a grimace like he’s scared she has cooties.
“Here, I’ll take her,” I tell him. He gladly hands her over, and she immediately goes for one of my curls. Her cute babbling is adorable as she takes in my hair, wrapping her death claws in it and yanks. “Oww!” I hiss and gently pull my hair free.
“Yeah, I think I’m going to shave my head the next time we visit,” he tells me, pushing his longer hair away from his eyes before swinging off his satchel from his back. “Here. I threw some of her toys in my bag when mom asked me to watch her so she could bake,” Lynx admits and hands me a block.
“What am I supposed to do with this?” I ask, sitting down and placing it in front of Tempest. She reaches for it and immediately tries to put it in her mouth. “No…sweetie. We don’t want you choking.” I gently pull it down and put it back with the other toys Lynx has pulled out.
“These are all toys I used to play with,” Lynx tells me as he steps around them and to the side to pack his bag full of medical supplies. “You can never have enough with our group.” I chuckle under my breath at his comment as I watch Tempest’s eyes grow wide while she grabs a small ball. It warms my heart to knowthat his parents kept his stuff all these years, even when there was no chance for another child. Yet, here’s Tempest, trying to play with her big brother’s toys.
I sit and play with Tempest, completely amazed at how many learning skills are built into the toys, until I hear someone clear their throat. Looking up, I find Lennox leaning against the door jam, smiling down at us.
“Having fun?” he questions, stepping in and sitting down across from me. His frame towers over both of us, but it’s more of a comfort than overwhelming.
“She’s a delight.” I laugh as she slaps my hand and makes kissing noises. “And she’s strong too.”
“Oh really?” he asks, cocking his head and giving me a strange look. “How do you mean?”
