Page 125 of Power of Shadow

Is this a stupid joke?

“Our father?” The surprise in Zoe’s words is obvious. “How do you know who our father is?”

I don’t have the courage to look her straight in the eye, let alone tell her what I know right now.

God, I fucked up.

My hands shake. I nervously start twisting the ring on my thumb.

A weight I’ve never felt before rests on my chest.

“Zoe… I was going to tell you today—” I cut myself off. I can’t. Oh God, I can’t!

“You found our father?” She screeches rather than asks. “How? When? Who is he?”

“Who was he,” Eli corrects quietly.

I give him a sharp look, but his attention is completely focused on my sister.

“Alex. He steered me to some information about him. It was Charles Baker, the former senator.”

“Of the United States?”

“No, goddamn Antarctica,” Eli snaps. “Yes, of the United States, for fuck’s sake.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m not talking to you!” Zoe throws back.

My sister’s outburst makes him fall silent. I’m sure it’s only because of the circumstances; otherwise, he wouldn’t have let her get away with it.

“I don’t understand, Ash,” she says again. Her surprise, disbelief, and heartbreak are evident in her voice. “What did our mother have to do with the senator? And why didn’t you tell me this before?”

From the corner of my eye, I glance at Ryker before answering. “They met when they were young, but they quickly went their separate ways. At first, I wasn’t sure he was our father. Then I couldn’t track him down because he was in hiding. Except—he denies that—”

Damn it! How am I supposed to tell her?

It’s so damn hard. I already had to tell her about her parents’ death once...

I can’t even think about how much pain I’m about to bring her. My heart’s breaking. But I have to be strong. For both of us.

For the second time in many years, my eyes burn, but I swallow it down. The first time it happened was when I asked Alex for help with her case, panic in my eyes.

“He wasn’t your father,” I squeeze out through my tight throat.

Despite her trembling legs, Zoe jumps up from the couch. She stands up straight, crosses her arms over her chest, and glares at me. “You mean you saw him and still didn’t tell me?”

Oh God!

“How could you!”

“Zoe—”

“Save it! Who do you think you are? Who are you? My sister would never hide something like this from me. Never! She was always my best friend, and we could tell each other everything. We were a team! And now? Now I don’t even recognize you. For five whole seconds, I have a father who is already dead and who isn’t even my real father? This is too fucked up, and it’s all your fault! I hate you, Ash!” Her voice breaks too.

Zoe’s scream tears my heart apart, and every single word is like a dagger. However, I can’t deny she’s right. She is. And the first tear rolling down my face is like an admission of guilt.

With that last word, Zoe storms off to her room.

I’m about to follow her, but Eli stops me with a raised hand. “I’ll talk to her. Give her a minute to calm down.”