Page 120 of Broken Obsession

“Did you read it?” Eden asked, checking his email when it dinged to find a large file attached. He didn’t open it.

“No, I just confirmed it was what you were looking for, that’s all. Let me know when you read it though. You know, if you need someone to talk to about it. You said Ares gets weird whenever his past is brought up, didn’t you?”

He’d explained to Noon he was curious about Project Firefly after his eye-opening talk with Zar. Eden didn’t want to keep pushing Ares to tell him something he wasn’t comfortable with, but he also felt like it was important for him to know at least some of the details so he could better help stabilize his man.

Still…

“I’m not planning on reading it,” he confessed. At least, not any time soon. If it came to that, he would, but for now, he was planning on trusting Ares. “He’ll tell me when he’s ready.”

“Why did you have me searching for this then? Dude, I spent three days on this!”

Eden laughed. “If you recall, I never asked you to. I was just venting to my friend. You can’t blame me for taking it a step further on your own.”

“Whatever. When are you coming back for a visit?”

He thought it over. “Probably never?”

“What? Don’t tell me you like the capital that much? Oh, never mind. I get it. It’s another word that begins with C that’s keeping you, am I right?”

“You’re not wrong.” Eden grinned, anticipation already bubbling beneath his skin. It was about to be the weekend, andsince they were taking care of not just Inzer, but also Dephik tonight… “I may be out of reach until Monday.”

There was shitty service at the cabin.

“Wow, you fell kind of fast, don’t you think?” Noon asked.

“I don’t know.” Eden made for the door. “I’ve never fallen in love before. I’ve got no timeframe to compare it to. Besides, I don’t think you’re one to speak. You fall for someone new at least once a month.”

“True.” Noon chuckled at himself. “How about this? I’ll come visit you. I want to see the studio your boyfriend literally had built for you.”

“Jealous?”

“It’s not fair. Where’s my super rich, super hot, super fan?”

Eden paused in the hallway, trying to listen for any indication of which direction he’d be able to find Ares and Inzer. There was a scuffling noise to the left and he headed that way. “Want me to introduce you to one of the Black Harts when you’re here?”

“Uh, big no. Those dudes are scary.”

“Facts.”

“Shit, Pilar is calling. I’ll talk to you later.” Noon hung up before Eden could say goodbye.

Shaking his head, he chuckled and slowed his steps as he entered another hall. He found Ares in a classroom, standing over Inzer’s body, staring at an empty corner. Eden made sure his steps were loud enough to be heard as he walked in.

“Is Mother here?” he asked when Ares’ head snapped in his direction.

The Black Hart glanced back. “She was. She’s gone now.”

“What about Father?”

Ares grinned. “Father doesn’t like you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“He doesn’t come around anymore.”

So there was just Mother to deal with. That was progress. She also seemed to vanish the few times Eden had walked in on Ares staring at her. With any luck, another couple of months from now, she’d be gone for good as well.

“What about him?” Eden motioned toward Inzer’s still body. There was a puddle of blood around him, but he pretended not to notice.