Page 69 of His Atonement

Which makes me a little sad because if I weren’t already dying, I'd be bummed that I didn't have centuries to spend with Allie and her family. No use worrying about that now though, I'm already well on my way to being six feet under, so it's a moot point.

"Who's the oldest one here?" I ask, because why not.

Cora smiles as she rubs her belly. "Zan. He's older than everyone except Karel by a landslide. They're only a few hundred years apart."

I scowl instantly because I am super pissed at him still.

That idiot broke into my house last night, naked and drunk, then disappeared on me again after what I thought was actually a decent time spent together.

Despite the fact that he was totally inebriated, Zan was fun, sweet, very affectionate in a non-inappropriate way, which was weird and kind of cute and I really liked having him around. I was hoping to talk to him about everything we need to talk about when we woke up today, but he was gone when I got up and I've been ready to punch him the second I lay eyes on him since.

"Where is your dear brother this morning?" I ask with way too much sarcasm.

Cora frowns then arches a brow. "He wasn't hungry, so he skipped breakfast. Why?"

"No reason." None that I'm willing to share anyway. "Just thought he might have an opinion on the picture thing since he seems to have an opinion on every fucking thing I do,” I grumble.

Man, I want to strangle him.

I really, really do, and the more I think about it the madder I get.

Something Grace obviously can sense because her mossy gold eye looks up at me and she tilts her head.

And just when I'm about to respond, my fucking arm jerks.

Awesome.

"So, is Zan a fae too then?" I ask, because I can't seem to help myself.

Cora shakes her head, a confused look on her face. "No. My parents adopted him before I was born… are you ok?"

“Fine," I grit out as my arm jerks two more times. "I need to go smoke a bowl, so if you'll all excuse me." I get to my feet, and pray my knees don't buckle. "I'll plan the whole family photo gig and let everyone know what I come up with. Should be able to start on it all tomorrow, worst case the next day. Thanks again for rockin' my world."

I start toward the main house, totally grateful that I left my weed there because it gives me a reason to go back inside and no one will notice when I make a detour to Zan's dungeon on my way.

That asshole has no idea what's coming for him, and despite the fact that I am in love with the bastard, I am too pissed to stop or even analyze the name I just put to everything I’m feeling.

"Frankie!" Grace calls with her people voice behind me. "Frankie, wait up!"

I keep marching toward the house, don't slow down, but before I know it, Grace grabs my hand and forces me to stop.

"I need to smoke, Gracie. Can't this wait?"

"What's going on with you?"

I falter briefly but quickly put my mask back in place. "What are you talking about?"

She narrows her eyes on me, and pushes her glasses up her nose. "You aren't sick, but you kind of are, aren't you?"

"Come on, Grace. I'm fine." Shit. Shit, sheknows. I don't know how, but she does. "I just need to smoke."

"I felt those tremors, Frankie, but there's more to it than that, isn't there?" Grace lowers her voice and steps closer. "Allie doesn't know, does she?"

"There’s nothing to know,” I snap. "I'm fine, nothing is wrong, I'm not sick, so just drop it, ok?"

"You can't lie to me about it and honestly, if you physically get close to anyone else for too long, then you won't be able to lie to them either. Most shifters can sense human disease in them and if Henrich or Posey, even Havok get close to you physically, they will be able to pick up on it."

"Then I guess I just became a fan of fist bumps instead of hugs."