Finally.
Even though excitement pulls at me, caution wins out. There have been women pretending to be Queen before. But none of them ever had something this concrete. The exact nature of Queen’s injury isn’t something I’ve shared with anybody.
Still, it could be a coincidence. With Mom and Harvey back in my life, ready to mess with me and my brothers, I have to be extra careful.
The blonde lets out a satisfied huff, pulls her arm out of the cabinet and turns to face me. “Here.” In her outstretched hand is a sticky note pad.
I don’t immediately take it. “How did you get that scar on your back?”
She blinks, then turns red. “You saw?” A hint of reproach ripples in her tone.
“Sorry, but yes. I mean, it’s there.”
Her flush deepens. “I got it as a child in a forest fire.”
“What were you doing in a burning forest as a child?”
“My family went camping, and we got caught.”
“I see. Well, Southern Californiaiskind of famous for fires.”
“No, it was up in Oregon.”
My heart races faster, but I manage to keep my voice steady. “Anyone else get hurt?”
“No. Thank God.”
“So you guys were just at the edge of it?”
“I’m not sure. But I’ve been told my voice turned raspy from smoke inhalation.” She frowns and gives me a strange look, as though she’s just noticed how weird I’m behaving toward her. “Did that satisfy your curiosity?” Her tone is far less friendly now. Just polite.
“Just one more thing. Do you remember anything unusual about the fire? Did you meet anybody while camping?”
Her expression grows more cautious. “No. Honestly, I hardly remember anything about what happened. Likely due to trauma. It wasn’t the best experience.”
Disappointment buries the excitement.Another dead end.But then, why should I expect anything different? “Of course.”
“So. Are you done with your cross-examination?”
I force a tight smile. “Sorry about that. I lost a friend in a forest fire when I was young, so I was… I apologize.”
She clears her throat, the wariness in her expression easing. “It’s okay.” She places the sticky note pad in my hand. “Here’s what you wanted. Anything else?”
I press the pad of my thumb against the sharp corner. The little pricking sensation says I’m not dreaming. “What’s your name?”
“Kenna Miller.”
“I’m Ares.”
“I know.” She slowly relaxes into a grin. “You’re famous. Anything else you need?”
“No.”
“In that case…” She walks out. “Toodle-oo.”
I stare at her back, trying to see the scar that’s now hidden again by her top. As unsettling sensations swirl in my gut, I realize elation isn’t the only thing filling my heart at the possibility that I might’ve found Queen.
Chapter Sixteen
