Page 98 of Thorns of Deceit

“Your uncle Jack visited my mom on that day… the day when…” she continued as she sucked in a few breaths, still clutching her chest as she fought to get the words out. “I blame the Callahans for the explosion and my mom’s death.”

My mouth opened but nothing came.

“Your family doesn’t get to destroy me the way you did my mother,” she spat. “For the past five years, I’ve relived that explosion over and over again. You don’t know what it’s like to have to pretend you’re dead and not even attend your mother’s funeral.”

I stepped toward her, my shadow flowing over her like a storm cloud. She didn’t cower back. Instead, she tilted her head back and glowered up at me.

“Your mother,” I said slowly. “She didn’t die in that explosion.”

Raven froze, color draining from her face.

“What did you say?”

“Your mom didn’t die in that explosion five years ago. She’s alive.”

Her lips parted but no sound came out. She then took a deep breath, her lips trembling as she opened them.

“That’s not—” Her voice cracked. “That’s cruel even for you. How can you lie about that?”

“I’m not lying. She’s alive, Raven.” My throat tightened. “Your father was there after the explosion and Blair left for Scotland with him. She’s been living with Duncan Lyons for the past five years.”

Her breath hitched and horror entered her eyes.

“No…” she whispered, shaking her head violently. “That’s not possible. That’s even worse.”

My brows furrowed.

“I swear to you on the lives of my siblings,” I said, my voice rough. “I’m telling you the truth.”

“You’re lying,” she repeated. Her eyes darted over my face, and I couldn’t be sure whether she hoped it was a lie or the truth. “You have to be. Five years… It’s horrible… Liar…”

“Look at me, Raven,” I gritted, cupping her cheeks. I could feel the tremor of her pulse beneath my thumbs. “Your mother is alive.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Her pupils dilated, turning unfocused. She blinked once, twice.

“Raven,” I rasped softly. “Say something.”

Her body swayed, her knees buckled, and she collapsed.

I caught her before her body could hit the floor, limp in my arms and the air thick with the shock of the dead coming back to life.

THIRTY-EIGHT

RAVEN

Amuffled voice swam around me, cutting through the haze in my brain.

My eyelids felt heavy, refusing to open. I didn’t know if I was dreaming or floating. My thoughts were a jumbled mess.

Pregnant. Aiden.Mom.

The words echoed in my skull, tearing me wide open.

It felt like the world came crashing down with memories of the smoke, explosion, and blood. I recalled the way she’d pushed me out of the way right before the second explosion happened. I remembered the smell of smoke and ash, the taste of iron in my mouth.

It was hard to live with that guilt and even more heart-wrenching to move on after all that, and now Aiden was saying she was alive.

No, that couldn’t be.