Prologue

Reynolds

I t’s been a year since the Sentinels merged with the Obsidians. Never in my life have I felt like a family as I do now. I’m content and the happiest I’ve ever been.

Dove is standing in front of the entire family, and Ghost is beside her, holding a small box. We’ve all spent the past few months receiving lessons on American Sign Language. Dove has opened up around us more now that she can talk to us. We’re nowhere near as good as Dove, Doc, and Snow, but we get by.

“Last month, Dove explained to us that the word Obsidian didn’t actually have its own sign,” Ghost says. “You had to spell it out. But we were informed that you could make your own sign for words or people that are personal to you. Dove created this sign to mean Obsidian.”

Dove slides her index finger across her forehead, and we copy.

“Black,” Snow says.

Then Dove makes fists with both of her hands and taps one on top of the other twice.

“Rock,” Snow smiles.

“Combined, like this,” Dove signs slowly so we can keep up. “Is the new ASL sign for Obsidians.”

Dove smiles excitedly as we all show our new talent.

“I have new patches for everyone,” Ghost says, pulling one from the box. It’s a square patch with two sets of hands showing how to say the two words that mean Obsidians.

“Obsidians,” Dove says out loud.

“Obsidians,” we all shout back, causing her to laugh. She loves it when we do that because she can feel the vibrations of our roars.

“Hello,” Taylor says into his phone.

I grab an excited Hope from Venom’s arms and sit on the floor to play with her.

“Reynolds, it’s for you?”

“Then they should have called my cell instead of yours.”

“They called the business cell,” he says.

“Just toss it on speaker,” I sigh. “How important could it possibly be?”

“Is this Jacob Reynolds?” a voice crackles through the speaker.

“Speaking,” I say, still distracted by Hope’s giggles.

“Mr. Reynolds, my name is Fire Chief Donald Walker from Harborbrook Fire Department. We have a situation here involving a baby that was left in our baby box. Along with the baby, there was a birth certificate for the child and a death certificate for the mother.”

My heart stops. I look over at Taylor, who’s staring at me wide-eyed.

“What? That’s impossible,” I stammered, standing up and handing Hope back to Venom. “Are you sure it’s my name on the certificate?”

“Yes, sir. There is also a note that clearly states your name and work information. It took us all day to find you since Sentinel Security changed its location and name,” Chief Walker continues. “We need you to come down to the firehouse as soon as possible to verify this.”

My mind is racing. Who could have done this? Is it some kind of mistake or a cruel joke?

“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Does it say who the mother was?”

“Jeanna Cornwell,” he answers. “She passed away from a drug overdose. I’m sorry for your loss.”

Jeanna was a one-night stand I had long before we merged with the Obsidians. I hardly remember her, and I don’t think I said more than two words to the woman apart from thanks and see you around.

“There’s a possibility that it’s not my baby,” I admit. “Jeanna was a girl I messed around with once, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only man she was sleeping with.”

“Apparently, the woman already had a DNA test done. The results are here as well.”

“And?” I say impatiently.

“I haven’t opened them, Mr. Reynolds. They are in an envelope marked, Reynolds eyes only .”

“Alright,” I sigh. “I’m not far away. I’ll be there shortly. Please take good care of the baby until I arrive.”

“Of course, Mr. Reynolds. We’ll be waiting,” Chief Walker replies before hanging up.

I hang up the phone and look around the room. Everyone is staring at me, waiting for an explanation.

“You heard the call,” I say finally. “A baby was left at the firehouse with a note saying I’m the father. I need to go and see what’s going on.”

“I’ll come with you,” Taylor says, concern etched on his face.

“No, I need to handle this on my own,” I say, shaking my head. “But I’ll keep you all updated.”

“Are you sure?” Taylor asks, his brow furrowed.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” I say, grabbing my keys. “I need to figure out what’s going on.”

With that, I head out the door, my mind racing with questions. As I drive towards the firehouse, I can’t shake the feeling that my life is about to change forever.