17

IVY

THE new team leader had regarded me in such asmarmy way that I’d almost missed the weird flare of magic in my veins. The odd pull in the pit of my stomach as his eyes dragged over my body.

I’d felt both unnerved and maybe a little alive when his eyes had been on me.

And that freaked me out.

Nope, do not need any more shit before we reach Avalon. I have enough crap to deal with as is. Elias was going on rotation, which I knew he battled with internally because he wanted to be close to me—especially with the new team—but I gave him my word I’d spend the rest of the afternoon with the girls, Thea, and Kerry, rather than hang out in the kitchen.

As we all dispersed, and Elias headed out to the forest with Adrian, I grabbed Thea’s hand. We shared a quick look, and she nodded once as if understanding my need for a girl-to-girl conversation away from prying ears. I cast a quick glance over the room, barely catching Rowan’s stare, but the mage looked away before I could read too much into it. I sighed. The new people in the house would worry the kids, and I needed to let them know of these changes gently without them running into Hawk Nash and his little team of robots.

We escaped to our shared bedroom and quickly locked ourselves in. I tried to ignore the brief, longing glance Rowan had sent me as I’d passed him. What good would it do? He’d made it clear what he wanted—and that wasn’t friendship or anything to do with me.

“At least some of them were cute,” Thea said, flopping onto the bed.

I blinked at her for a long moment, unsure how to respond immediately. But as her words sunk in, I snorted a laugh and joined her. “Of course, that’s the first thing you notice.”

She shrugged, her breath coming out as a sigh. “Look, you’re getting frequent action now—soon on two fronts. And well, I’m feeling a little unloved.”

“Oh, am I not giving you enough attention?” I asked.

She bopped me on the nose, her lips pulling up in a grin. “I just need new victims.”

At that, I rolled my eyes. “So, it’s about the stolen shirts, then.”

“Those boys have plenty. They won’t miss one—or three.”

Moments like these were what I’d miss between me and my best friend when we finally made it to Avalon.

A bitterness filled my mouth as I considered the changes that will be made to my life and to the lives of everyone I loved. Thea’s family was being uprooted and moved to Avalon. I wanted to be relieved that they were safe, but it was hard to compete with the guilt of knowing they were in danger because of me.

“Uh oh,” Thea sang, pushing up on her elbows. “Someone’s gone to a dark place.”

I sighed, my eyes shuttering closed as I rolled onto my back. “Sorry. I was thinking about everything.”

“If it’s out of your control, leave it alone.” I felt her shift until she was also on her back. “Focus on right now.”

“I think that might be worse,” I replied, picking at a thread in the duvet. “That evac team makes me feel like we’re on a timer now. I have to figure out what to do with Kerry. There’s still the whole mating thing with Adrian. And then R—” His name wouldn’t leave my mouth, and I choked on the word.

“He really did a number on you,” Thea muttered. I felt the heat of her stare on the side of my face, but I couldn’t bring myself to turn and meet it.

If I looked into her eyes, I knew what I would see: compassion, sorrow, understanding. Of all the people in my life, she knew me best. She knew what I was thinking before I did, and I knew her just as well, despite her walls and false bravado.

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I finally turned to Thea. “I’m really, really glad you’re here.”

Thea’s smile was soft, her eyes shining. “Yeah, I’m glad, too. I mean, who wouldn’t want to dive headfirst into a crazy world of vampires and witches.”

I snorted a laugh and shook my head. “Most would run away. But not you.”

“All right, enough moping.” She drew herself up into a sitting position and stared down at me. “We should go warn the kids of these newbies. Wouldn’t want one of them getting chewed out by Eloise.”

~

Ginny and Maisie slept beside Kerry as Thea and I sat with Eloise in the second bedroom. With the little ones asleep, I gave her a run down about the evac team and their purpose here, and how if she didn’t want to deal with them, I’d work with Maeve to keep them away.

It was Eloise who brought up letting Kerry go. “She’s probably in pain, and i-it’s not fair,” she stuttered, wrapping her arms around herself. “Mom isn’t going to get better.”

I held her close to my chest and shared a look with Thea. As much as Kerry had pissed us both off, as much as we’d fought against her and had broken away from her veiled insults and petty, back-handed compliments, we still had tears in our eyes as we watched Eloise come to terms with the truth of our mother’s status.

Kerry wasn’t going to make it and keeping her asleep only hurt her more.

I still wasn’t entirely sure how I would tell Ginny and Maisie, but I knew it would be hard. Maisie didn’t fully understand why Kerry wasn’t waking up, and it broke my heart. Ginny was old enough to have some understanding, but even she would be a wreck. I knew Eloise would try to be strong for them. She’d put on a strong front and comfort her sisters for their sakes.

She shouldn’t have to. She should be allowed to grieve openly with them, but she won’t. That just wasn’t who she was.

Eloise wiped her eyes. “I think I have to tell them,” she said, sniffling.

“El, no—”

“It’ll be easier from me.” She whimpered and crossed her arms. “They won’t understand otherwise.”

I pressed my lips into a firm line. “You are not responsible for taking care of them, Eloise. That’s my job. I’m your big sister. You lean on me, okay? You can always lean on me.”

She sniffled and met my stare. “You’re not going to leave again?”

My heart shattered. “El, I never meant to leave you guys. I need you to know that. I have always loved you, and when you’re older, I’ll explain it all, but just know—I never left because of you.”

Her blue eyes were sharp and cautious as she searched mine. Fuck, she was growing up too fast. “You promise?”

I nodded and held my pinkie finger out to her. “I promise. You’re stuck with me. Okay? And there are others who will be here for you. Elias already cares about you guys, and he’ll protect you.”

“And Thea?” Eloise turned to my best friend with sad eyes. “I know I haven’t always been the nicest, but you’ll stay too?”

Thea smirked. “You haven’t been able to get rid of me yet, have you?”

At that, Eloise smiled. There was a time when she’d looked up to Thea as a big sister because we’d been joined at the hip, and it was nice to know she still looked to Thea like that. It meant she found support in us.

It meant she knew she wasn’t alone.

And maybe it meant I was getting my little sister back.

We decided to let Ginny and Maisie sleep a little longer. In the meantime, I looked for Maeve, who needed to know our decision.

Leaving Eloise with Thea, I searched the second floor, checking Maeve’s personal office as well as the larger meeting room, but found no sign of her. The sun was still in the sky, so she had to be in the house somewhere. Because she didn’t sleep, she hadn’t claimed a bedroom for herself.

The first floor seemed quiet, too. Elias and Adrian were out in the forest with some of Jay’s team, who had initially taken care of my sisters. And it seemed the new team was just as peaceful.

I paused in the kitchen and crossed my arms. Where is she…

Who, Angel? Elias replied.

It was going to be hard getting used to that.

Shaking my head, I responded. Maeve. Eloise wants to say goodbye to Kerry and tell the girls. I need to warn Maeve so she can sort it out.

There was a heavy silence on Elias’s end for a moment. Are you sure? She might be overwhelmed by all the changes. She might resent it after.

I smiled to myself as I wandered over to the window in the kitchen. Thanks for being worried. I think it’s time. It’s probably her way of controlling the situation in a world she can’t control. And she wants to be the one to tell Ginny and Maisie about Kerry, not me.

I’m sorry, Angel. I know you and your mother didn’t have the best relationship, but it’s hard on you, too. She was still your mom.

My teeth clenched as tears burned behind my eyes. He was right, and yet I felt guilty mourning the woman. She’d been my mother, yes. She’d also been my best friend once. But she changed. She stopped being my mother at some point, and after a while, I stopped seeing her as such.

As I wiped away a stray tear, unable to form a response for Elias, a hand landed on my shoulder. A flash of electricity ran through my veins as I spun, expecting one of my guys.

My eyes widened as I met the new team leader’s surprised stare. His hand dropped, and he took a large step back. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to scare you.” A smirk tugged at his lips as his dark eyes dragged over my body.

He was handsome, which I hated to admit, because he gave the impression that he knew just how attractive he was and used it for his own gain. His shoulder-length dark brown hair looked almost black in this light, and his rugged features looked almost Middle Eastern. His black eyes were as sharp as his cheekbones and jawline. Broad and over six feet, he reminded me of someone who’d spent a lot of time in the gym. The only clue he was different were the pointed ears sticking out of his hair.

As if sensing the question, his smirk turned wicked. “I’m half-Fae, if you’re wondering.”

“I wasn’t,” I lied, “but thanks.”

I tried to step around him as he chuckled. “Something I can help you with?”

“Just looking for Maeve.”

He made a sound and appeared at my side, his dark eyes meeting mine. “She’s downstairs in the basement gym. Come on, I’ll show you.”

My gaze narrowed as he took a couple of steps towards the door. “I know where the gym is,” I muttered.

He chuckled again but didn’t respond.

I hesitated a moment, crossing my arms over my chest. There was something about him…It wasn’t like I distrusted him. I didn’t know him. But I wasn’t sure what he thought of me. He reminded me a little of Rowan, but where Rowan wore his heart more on his sleeve, this guy used his wicked smirk as a mask of sorts. And I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not.

But when he looked over his broad shoulders, something unfurled within me at the look in his eyes. Something I did not want to touch on.

Stupid men. I shook my head and huffed. “Fine, let’s go.”

He smirked and opened the door to the basement for me. I spared him another uncertain look as I passed him, ignoring the brief touch of our arms and the warmth that came with it.

I didn’t like how it reminded me of the others. And I certainly didn’t like what it might mean.

We found Maeve in the gym, just like Hawk Nashsaid we would. She was wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and high-waisted yoga pants, her hair pulled back into a ponytail that swung with each bouncing punch. The hanging punching bag swung with each hit, reminding me just how strong she was.

At first, I watched. She seemed so in the zone that she didn’t notice us. But as she landed a kick, her eyes—red-ringed and dangerous—landed on me.

Instinct told me to be afraid, yet my magic hummed in delight. Why? Because the beast was crazy, and crazy got me in trouble.

Maeve stopped moving for a second and just stared. She didn’t even look at Hawk, who tensed at my side.

Either way, I was a little turned on by her and a whole lot confused.

Clearing my throat, I wrapped my arms around myself. “Can we talk? Not right now if you’re busy, but soon? About Kerry?”

I swallowed thickly as Maeve’s nostrils flared. I knew by now that she didn’t breathe. She only did so when she was taking scent, and I wasn’t sure why she’d be doing so right now.

“Maeve?” I took a hesitant step forward as she continued to stand there. “Are you okay?”

Her eyes flashed with something else, like hunger and lust, which both confused me and ignited something in my veins.

Which was unfortunate with Hawk Nash standing beside me. “All right, not sure what’s going on other than you needing to feed, but it seems like we came at a bad time.”

Maeve’s eyes finally left me to take him in. “Get her out of here, Nash.”

My heart dropped at the disgust filling her voice. Definitely not the reaction I was expecting.

Hawk didn’t respond; he grabbed my upper arm and dragged me from the gym, from the vampire still watching us. My heart thundered with each retreating step as we climbed the stairs to the main house.

I couldn’t form the words to describe what I felt. Fear? No. I’d never felt afraid of Maeve, not even then. Confused? Yes. Because she’d never spoken about me or to me like that, and it burned like fire as I tried to comprehend what happened.

The man didn’t release my arm until the basement door was closed. When he did, he scrubbed a hand down his face and shook his head. “She needs to have a better system in place so that doesn’t happen again,” he growled without looking at me. “That was unprofessional as fuck.”

I stiffened and glared up at him. “You don’t know anything about what’s been going on here, so save your opinions for someone who cares.”

His eyes flashed to mine, anger filling them. “You should care, Your Majesty,” he spat, turning on me. “Since it’s your safety at risk. And those kids, too. You don’t need a hungry vamp roaming the halls because she’s fasting or some shit.”

I bristled at the condescending tone. “Maeve has done nothing but protect us,” I hissed. “So, shove it. You’re here to get us back to Avalon, cool. But know that I don’t trust you. I don’t know you. But you know who I do trust? My team.”

I didn’t give him the chance to respond and instead stalked back up to the bedrooms.