Page 15

Arson

I watch from the shadow realm as Elder Naomi picks up the note on her desk, brow furrowed as she reads aloud, “Destroy the evidence of Everest's parents, they're onto us.” Shaking her head slightly in confusion, she looks to where I’m hiding.

“Evidence? What on earth are you talking about? Did you figure out who they are?”

Huffing in annoyance, I step out of the shadows. It was a last ditch plan I really hoped would work. Kind of forgot Ever isn't the only one that can sense me in the shadow realm; it's a mimic thing.

Kind of hard to stalk the assholes and learn anything useful, the dicks.

“No,” I growl. “Everyone I talked to is infuriatingly unhelpful.”

She pointedly raises a silver eyebrow. “Maybe if you weren't constantly tormenting them, they'd be more interested in helping.”

No, that doesn't sound right at all.

“I thought elders were supposed to be wise?”

She slumps in her chair. “It was a long shot anyway, as I already warned you. I can't imagine anyone here would have left a child behind and not begged the rescue team for assistance in extracting her.”

My chest heaves with barely contained rage, imagining it. Those wastes of space sitting around here safe and cozy while they left my angel to fend for herself in the cruel world as a baby .

They better hope I don't find them alive.

Without a parting word, I step back into the shadows, searching out the only person in this maze worth seeing.

For just a moment before they realize I’m there, I simply watch the four of them.

Ledger has our girl on his lap on the long bench in the dining hall, hand feeding Ever dinner.

On either side of them is my brother and Bellamy, acting as buffers between her and all the assholes mooning over her with covetous eyes.

Even though every bastard in this place looks at me like I’m some abomination, Ever claimed me. Me. A scarred monster that even his parents couldn’t love.

I hope they choke on their envy.

Slipping out of the shadows, I bury my face in the crook of her neck, but even the sweet, citrusy scent of my mate doesn’t curb the frustrating feeling of failure crushing my shoulders.

“I was wondering when you’d show up,” she says softly, running her fingers through my hair. “Hungry?”

My chest tightens painfully. I don’t deserve to eat; not when I’ve failed her at every turn. And still, she worries about me. She cares .

Gotta do better. I’m supposed to be her right hand man. I need to get my shit together now that my leg is healed.

Yanking the paper out of my back pocket, I unfold it and slam it onto the table harder than I intended. Biting the cap off my marker, I cross another face off the list, grumbling to myself.

Ledger hand feeds her another grape, taking care of our mate as if it’s second nature to predict her needs. And his instincts are clearly on point. Dick. “Why are you so worked up about this when Ever isn't?”

“Because I finally figured out why the Fates thought Ever needed me.” Avoiding his eye, I slash out the next face hard enough to tear the paper. “Her parents deserve to burn for trying to burn her center tattoo off as a baby and abandoning her. And I intend to enjoy every minute of their karma.”

Peering at Ledger’s surprised face from the corner of my eye, I grunt, “Don't worry, your piece of shit sperm donor’s on my list, too. We’re all claiming the couple that adopted Myles as our parents, too.

On the bright side, that’ll make holidays easy; only one place to visit.

” I pause, turning my attention to Bell.

“What about yours? Want me to take care of them while we’re here? ”

Shadows flash in his silvery irises. “They’re dead.”

Dipping my head in acknowledgment, I weigh my options, then begrudgingly slide the page in front of him and tap a few faces. “I haven’t been able to find these four. Any idea where I should look?”

Bellamy’s eyes widen in surprise, but he’s wise enough not to say shit and pulls it in for a closer look. Then blushes. “Umm… I pretty much lived in my office. That’s why I printed you off pictures; I don’t remember their names, let alone what they do around here.”

Myles interrupts, “Hey, isn't that one of the women right there?” We all look up to see a woman dropping off a pan full of food on a table then retreating through a swinging door on the far side of the room.

Of course, it’s so obvious.

All the moms are hiding in the kitchen.

And if we can't find Ever’s, we'll just pick out the one that makes the best cookies as a replacement.

Ever yelps as I spirit us into the kitchen, leaving the guys scrambling to their feet from where I dropped them as I lift her in front of me Simba style. “Anybody lose a baby? About twenty-four years ago, so use your imagination.”

Why didn't I check Ever’s house for any baby pictures before now? I'm a terrible mate. When we have a little sociopath of our own, I'll make sure to take so many pictures, they'll need their own bookshelf.

After all, if they're anything like their parents, I'll need to keep a current picture on hand for either milk cartons, or wanted posters.

Ever squirms, face beet red as she hisses, “Put me down! Preferably in that sink so I can drown myself.”

Well now I'm definitely not putting her down.

The entire kitchen grinds to a halt, about fifteen people staring at us, and wouldn’t you know it, my four missing suspects are all here.

I scrutinize their faces right back, watching their reactions to seeing my angel for the first time.

So the second one gasps, hand fluttering to her mouth as her eyes fill with tears?

I’m using a shadow tendril to pull a knife from my hip so I don’t have to set my mate down, blood heating with the desire for vengeance.

“You’re the spitting image of her,” the woman whispers, face falling. “I take it that if she didn't come with you, that means Jasmine passed away?”

Wait. What?

Behind me, Myles mumbles, “I can't believe that actually worked.”

Ever’s throat bobs. “You… you knew my mom?”

The lady gives her a look of pity that has my fingers twitching with the desire to carve her eyes out. My girl shouldn’t be pitied, she’s meant to be envied. Respected. The things dreams are made of.

Not-mom takes off her apron and tells the others, “I’ll be back in a bit.

” They nod furiously, ushering her to go with wide eyes and curiosity burning in their gazes, but snap back to business as a pot boils over.

“We should have some privacy back here.” She leads us to a table in a far corner that seats about half of the kitchen staff.

Leaving long enough to grab a platter, she returns with an apologetic grimace.

“Sorry, I haven’t had my dinner break yet. Please, help yourselves.”

I scowl down at the plate, rethinking my plan. It’s full of vegetables, cheese cubes, and raisins . Not a single cookie in sight.

Definitely doesn't get to be our new mom.

None of us sit, unwilling to relax, which only adds to the awkward tension in the room. Ledger recovers first, breaking the ice. “So… you knew Ever’s mother?”

My mate tenses against me, and I band an arm around her waist, latching onto her like a koala. I wouldn’t put it past her to steal my abilities and escape this confrontation, but if so, she’ll be taking me with her. We can run away together. Thanks to the tracker, the others will catch up.

Eventually.

Her features soften, staring at Ever with a wistful look as she takes a bite of her heathen food.

“Jasmine and I were held together in the same cage about twenty-six years ago, waiting to be sold off to the highest bidder. The day of the auction, a stranger snuck in and took down the guard watching us, stole his clothes, and ‘escorted us to the buyer.’ We nearly made it out before they realized what was happening, then all hell broke loose.”

She swallows, staring hard at the table.

“He pushed Jasmine aside and took the bullet meant for her. Managed to get us out of there and into a van where two others were waiting. It was touch and go for a while, but by the time we stopped driving three days later he was stable, and the two of them were damn near inseparable.”

Staring at Ever with teary eyes, she shakes her head sadly.

“I’d heard rumors of a mimic sanctuary and tried to convince her to come with me, but she was halfway in love with Vasher already.

I told her what I knew about how to find this place in case she changed her mind, but never really held out much hope. ”

Ledger stiffens. “Vasher? Do you know his first name?”

The woman frowns, searching her memory. “Ethan? Elliot? Something like that.”

Voice like gravel, Ledger asks, “Elias?”

She snaps her fingers and points at him, lighting up with a smile. “That’s it!”

A bad feeling twists my stomach. “Why do you ask?”

The color drains from Ledger’s face. “Because Elias Vasher is Oscar’s son.”

Well that… clears up nothing.

Bellamy is on the same page as me. “Who the hell’s Oscar?”

Ledger shares an uneasy look with our mate. “The man that saved me from my father. And sent Ever to Mercy Ridge.”