Page 79 of Haunted Nightmares

“It’s Ester. Your mate is the mole, Edith, and I need you to go with Lydia peacefully until we can get this sorted.” I hang up the phone once Declan gives me a nod, confirming Edith did exactly what I told her to.

Ester wasn’t even on my radar, she’s such a sweet and quiet lass, tight lipped, never wanting to get into the thick of things. Always avoiding the fight.

I guess now I know why.

Unfortunately, a traitor's lips are the first thing to go.

20

3… 2… 1… I Miss You

ZEPHYR

“Thank you for doing this with me,” I say as I nudge Orion with my elbow. “I know you didn’t want to.”

He gives me the side eye with a shrug. “I don’t like that you have to…wearthatwhile we’re out.”

“Neither do I.”

I hate it, actually.

Like the naive female I can be at times, I assumed that once Wraith and I were mated again, I wouldn’t have to use myIris glamoranymore.

Wrong.

I did not take into account that my wicked king was going to repress all of the trauma associated with my death—I don’t care what he says, there has to besome—and bury it so far down he’s convinced there isn’t any. And because of that, Wraith is more hands on than ever when we’re within range. I don’t really mind, it’s kind of sweet the way he has to always be touching me, like he’s worried I’ll disappear if he’s not, but it has also taken his paranoia up a notch, and his need to keep me safe is over the top.

No one can know I’m back.

I have to use my glamor if I leave the bayou, but I really shouldn’t leave the bayou.

I can’t talk to anyone I knew before if they aren’t a Purist because somehow they might think the short blonde cherub looking female is actually their dead queen.

There are multiple things I have to do and some of it makes sense, but there are now many precautions I have to take and while I love Wraith so much for wanting to protect me, this is the first time I’ve left the commune in I don’t know how long and I was going stir crazy.

“I’m not a huge fan of them, either,” Orion says as he nods behind us.

This one is a little different, Nate and Ana have purposes beyond my mate’s psychosis, but it does seem a little silly to have them tag along when I’m with my cousin. Can’t changedivine willas Ana said so I won’t even bother trying but I really wanted some time alone with O after the way things have been going lately.

“Aries wasn’t mad that I didn’t ask him to come with us?”

“No, he said we needed the time. Plus he was going to take the opportunity to run home and grab some stuff for us, check on the house, water the plants, you know, all that. Then he’s swinging by Plasma to make sure everything is in order.”

I nod as we keep walking down the street, aimlessly wandering the Main Quarter in search of a torn portal that may or may not exist. “Things are still good there?”

“Yeah. Business is steady.”

Wow.

This is not like us at all.

Orion and I, we’ve always been able to talk. About everything and nothing, he was the only person Icouldtalk to and most ofthe time he knew what I was going to say before I said it. Now, I’m not sure what the hell this is but it isn’t us.

“That’s good.” I sigh and look down at my feet, watching the stupid glamor heels cover my flip flops with each step. “Glad it’s steady.”

“Mhm.”

“Are you two ok staying with us? You don’t have to, not if you don’t want to, I just thought… ”