Page 51 of Power of Shadow

Ryker found out about Alex’s role, which meant he was closer than I thought. How did that happen? Fuck. “I’m sorry. I got carried away.”

“Yes. I always have your back, and I know you have trust issues—” He pauses again, running his hands over his face again. “I used to think that would change with time, but now I doubt it. Either way, Ryker is looking for you, so just be careful.”

I can see in his eyes that I’m hurting his feelings. I won’t admit it out loud, but after knowing him for so many years, I can read the fragments of his feelings in the mirror of his soul.

I don’t disagree with his opinion on trust. Also, like him, I doubt that will ever change. Not because I don’t want to one day. I genuinely fear that I simply can’t.

“I was waiting for you to show up here one day. Here’s something I have for you, Ash: that fell into my hands a few days ago.”

As he reaches into his pants pocket and retrieves a folded piece of paper, I look at him with a questioning expression. He places it on the table and covers it with his hand.

“What is it?” I whisper.

“This is me expressing my emotions for you, just in case you have any lingering reservations.”

Alex’s hand pushes the piece of paper toward me and moves away.

I immediately sense that this is something really important to me. I reach for the center of the table and unfold the piece of paper. Except it’s not a piece of paper at all, but a photo.

A couple is standing in front of a lake and wooden cottages lined up along the shore. A wooden sign cut in half reads “Autumn.” But there’s something more important.

The first thing that strikes me is that the feeling between them is obvious to me. They’re in love; they’re lovers, but they’ve certainly never been married.

The woman with short, dark hair is wearing a summer dress with flowers. She’s smiling and happy. One of her hands rests casually on her belly, which shows that she’s about to give birth.

The man with light blond hair, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, with no less happiness painted on his face, also has his hand on her belly.

I blink several times, but their happiness doesn’t disappear from the photo, although I cannot believe that it’s real between them. It’s just impossible. Mom never said she loved him. She never mentioned how happy she was with him.

Is this him?

My father. She never mentioned his name, even though I begged her many times when she was still alive. I begged her, but she never said a word. She was like an enchanted rock, immovable.

“Is it even true? Is this my father?” I ask, unable to take my eyes off the couple in the photo.

“It looks that way, Princess. However, there’s no confirmation from my informant. Only he can confirm it,” he replies sadly.

“Alex, why—why are you giving me this now?”

“Because you deserve to know the truth. You recognize him, don’t you? You know what’s going on now. The hunt is on. If you want to know anything more, you’ll have to get to him first. It will entail a lot of complications that you have to be ready for. But it’s still your decision, Princess.”

I try to fight back the emotion as the first tear rolls down my cheek. Shocked, I don’t know how to react when I realize this. I haven’t cried in at least a dozen years. I hate it.

Alex’s thumb lands on my cheek and wipes away the wet evidence of my weakness. “If you need anything from me, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you, Alex,” I whisper, looking into his eyes. In this one moment, I regret that I’m not the person who could give him the entire world. “It really means a lot to me. Even if it complicates everything. And even if I can’t believe he’s my father.”

Flashback 3

Ryker - 13 years old

“What the fuck are you doing, boy?” My father’s voice booms, and I almost jump in place. Almost, because with every passing year, his voice becomes less and less scary to me. At thirteen, I already understand a hell of a lot, and I know even more.

“You said you wouldn’t touch her again! You’ll never hit my mom again!”

It’s undeniable that we’ve been in this situation before. More than once, in fact, but today it has to end.

I’m determined. I’m also the only person who can protect her from him.