Page 25 of Loving Amari

Amir grins. Actually grins. He’s enjoying this, watching Angie’s discomfort with unconcealed amusement.

Jacob wraps an arm around Angie, pulling her close and away from Tofi. She melts into him slightly, her body relaxing.

Tofi comes around the desk and stands next to me, her presence solid and comforting. I smile despite everything, despite the fear gnawing at my insides, despite the knowledge that Carla might disappear again at any moment. I gently pat Tofi’s head, my hand barely covering a fraction of her. “You can stay honey, but you have to behave. Understand?”

She nods in that distinctly spider way, her whole body dipping forward in acknowledgment.

“Well, we’re all here.” Angie crosses her arms. “What’s the issue?”

Aya appears in the corner like smoke taking form. Translucent. Flickering. Dead but not gone.

Angie, Anora, Kade, Amir, and Jacob all stiffen. Their faces shift from curious to hostile in an instant. Selene looks to Damon, confusion in her eyes. His eyebrows rise in surprise, but there’s recognition there too.

“No worries, I’m not looking for some grand welcoming.” Aya’s voice drips with sarcasm.

Angie points at the Aya, her finger shaking slightly. “What the hell is she doing here?”

“I’m your savior.”

“No the fuck you’re not.” Angie looks at Tofi, her expression shifting to confusion. “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be dealing with these limbo ghosts?”

Tofi doesn’t respond. Doesn’t even acknowledge the question. Just stands there beside me, solid and unmoving.

Amir approaches Aya slowly. His hands clasp behind his back. “Why wouldn’t I expect you to be involved in this? You’ve always selfishly thought of yourself first.”

“This is not my work.”

“Oh, how so?” His voice shifts to something cold. “Just like when you killed dozens of innocent women and children from the dragon clans?”

Aya opens her mouth, but Amir doesn’t let her speak.

“Or was it the time you started having humans kill shifters so you could turn their children into your own personal army?” He takes another step closer, invading her space even though she’s incorporeal. “Or was it when you gave Brookstone and Blackburn your magic before you died, just to make sure you won this battle even in your death?”

Aya falls silent. For once in her entire existence, the witch has nothing to say. No clever retort. No justification.

Movement at the door draws everyone’s attention. The conversation stops mid-breath. Carla stands in the doorway wearing a beautiful blue dress that clings to her curves in all the right places. The color makes her brown skin glow. Her curls are still damp from the shower, falling around her shoulders.

Amir goes quiet. Turns fully to face her. Bows his head in genuine respect. “Thank you, Carla. I don’t know what I would have done if something happened to my son.”

His voice cracks slightly on the word “son.” This ancient king, this powerful vampire, reduced to a frightened father. He glares at Aya, and even in her ghostly form, I can see it. Guilt. Remorse. Emotions I never thought possible from Aya Bailey.

“Aya’s right.” Carla steps inside, her bare feet quiet on my floor. “This isn’t the work of Aya. It’s something else. Somehow, someone in limbo has access to Blackwood magic.”

Angie goes alert, her whole body tensing. “What?”

She looks to Damon. He and Selene exchange a glance that speaks volumes. They knew something. They’ve been keeping secrets.

Carla walks around the room, and comes to stand beside me. I wrap my arm around her immediately, pulling her close against my side. Her warmth seeps into me through the fabric of her dress.

“Well, it looks like your ancestors weren’t perfect either,” Aya mutters, shooting a pointed look at Angie.

“I know someone who has Blackwood magic, but he’s not in limbo.” Angie’s voice is strained. “His name is Henry. He ran the agency Selene was born into. Who is this figure in limbo with the magic?”

“It’s Nathaniel.” Aya’s form flickers. “I know exactly who he and the Henry you speak of are.”

Angie glares at her, blue magic sparking around her fingertips. “And how do you know that?”

Aya smirks, and the expression is chilling. “How do you think I was able to track down so many Blackwood witches and kill them? You had betrayal oozing from your own line.”