Page 19 of Change

“He acts the way he does—like challenging you when you’re not expecting it—because he’s trying to help you become more confident in asserting your authority. For the most part, officers are allowed to make our own decisions and to act independently, unless you’re coming to us with a direct order. Even then, if we feel strongly against what you say, we can opt out. However, depending on the order, refusal might affect us keeping our position.”

“So…” My blood was rushing in my ears, and I rushed to change the subject. “You said that it’d be you or…” This felt weird to say, but Brayden was watching mesoeagerly. “Uncle Caleb, that would know about my library. Why?”

Brayden perked at this and lowered his face toward mine conspiratorially. “Because heknewyou in your last life. You trainedhim.” My fingers prickled as I held my breath—my last life? When was that, and what was I like?

My skin hummed as the biggest question of all remained unspoken on the tip of my tongue. ‘What was my name?’

For some reason it felt incredibly important to know—but also not quite. There were so many other things going on. Was it something that really mattered right now?

Brayden didn’t notice my sudden silence and cupped his hand around his mouth as he continued. “He’d know because the upkeep and protection of your personal library was something you assigned tohimin your last life. What do you think he’s been working on?”

I blinked at him, a sudden sense of emptiness causing my stomach to drop. “What?”

Brayden’s expression fell and he stuck his lip out. “Darn, I thought we were on to something and it might trigger a memory. He wouldn’t tell me either.”

I frowned at my lap, disappointment lacing through me.

“And there’s another reason I’d leave him alone,” Brayden grinned, resting his elbow on the table. “I wasn’t kidding when I said that hereallyisn’t happy with you right now. It’s extremely rude to trap a spirit.”

“I know that.” I sighed, my shoulders slumping further. “I didn’t mean to…” Realization dawned as I asked, “He told you what happened?”

“No.” Brayden’s lips curled up. “Bryce did—he thought it was the cutest thing. But enough of that.” He pulled another book out of his bag and laid it on the table. “If you have some time, read this. But don’t feel pressured or anything,” he added, and I realized that this fidgeting had been nervousness. He might say not to feel pressured, but he totally wanted me to read this book.

Why?

“It’s about fae mannerisms and family dynamics.”

His words were light, but I could sense the underlying hint of something larger there, and it wasn’t such a stretch for me to venture, “Why would I need to know that?”

“Thanksgiving is coming up. Here, read this chapter,” he added, opening the book and flipping through the pages. He finally stopped, pointing to blurred words in fancy font.

Well, it was a blur to me. The words themselves were probably quite clear, but my head was beginning to feel light, and my body numb. “What does that have to do with anything?” I forced myself to ask, and to add another major point, “The fae celebrate American Thanksgiving?”

“Not necessarily.” Brayden’s nervous grin wavered. “We do get together any chance we can get though. Most major worldwide holidays, and even some minor ones… every weekend…”

“Isn’t thatoverkill?” Seriously, I enjoyed food as much as the next person, but who could keep up with all this demand?

“Will you come to Thanksgiving dinner?” Brayden didn’t answer my question. His fingers dug into his arms as he spoke, and he was studying the ground.

His nervousness was a bit adorable, and the fact that someone else other than me was feeling off about even having this conversation made the knot in my stomach loosen.

But his nervousness only meant one thing—he was afraid of my reaction.

There was only one major thing we disagreed on thus far.

“Willhebe there?” I asked, and this time it was me who looked to the floor.

It was a miracle he’d heard my low question, but he did and responded anyway. “Yes.”

I couldn’t reply at first. My throat closed as panic and betrayal swelled in me. How could he bring this up again? However, I really couldn’t blame him. I promised tothinkabout meeting my biological father.

But did I want to?

No.

Just the thought of it made my thoughts fuzzy. It was one thing to be rejected by people who weren’t biologically related, but blood? I was lucky with just Brayden and Bryce.

But…