“Agreed. It’s cool to interact with the other side, but it also reminds me of how short our lives really are. We’re just blips compared to demons.” Absinthe’s mouth twists. “I think about if I died right now, would I be satisfied? Would I have accomplished anything?”
“You’re amazing. You are a performer and you’re constantly making things,” I say, because it’s true. Absinthe is one of the most creative people I know.
“Thank you. But hardly anyone takes me seriously. I’m treated like I’m still a child, and yet I’m sent on these important missions with all of you. I just, I don’t know. I want to invent things. I want to find love. Hel, I want to live,” she says, her voice a desperate plea.
I give her my most genuine of smiles. “And you will. I want that too.”
“You want love?” She furrows her brows. “I thought all you cared about was saving the world.”
I shrug. “I want to save my people, but I want to build something for myself, too.”
“You should. You deserve it, Yasmeena.”
I think she’s right.
Movement No. 24
Tempest
Itold Quinn I wasn’t feeling well, and they agreed to watch Nico for a few hours while I rest. The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I hold no loyalty to Quinn. I need to speak with my father.
Walking into the hall, I head through the kitchen and back into Raph’s office. The tent is large, so I knew there was more going on back here, but I didn’t realize how truly vast it was. The office space is a cluttered mess. There is a large cork board with pictures pinned to it. Raph and Luc with a young Draven, his hair disheveled, his eyes so much brighter. There’s another photograph, a half-demon male I don’t recognize. He’s got broad shoulders and pink skin, with long hair the color of midnight. It leads me to wonder if Raph has had lovers in the past.
If they had wed, their souls would be permanently tied, and Raph would’ve died alongside his partner.Did he love someone, but not enough to give up his power?
The last photo is of a woman who looks a lot like Luc and Raph, and I think it might actually be the Queen Mother. She’s wearing a sweater and shorts, and it was clearly a candid picture. She’s smiling, a baby in her arms. It makes me yearn for my mother.
I find the phone amongst the mess, cord attached to the wall. I pick it up and dial the only number I know by heart.
“This is Fenris Capulet, second-in-command speaking,” Fenris says after three rings.
“This is Tempest Lupine. Could I please speak with Alpha Cain?”
There’s quiet for a moment, and then my father’s voice comes over the line. “Alpha Cain speaking, this better be important.”
I think about Nico and how he’s already calling Gemma and Draven Mom and Dad, and I weirdly ache to do the same. I ache for some level of empathy from my father. My mind flashes to the dream I had a few weeks back—I dreamt of calling him Dad as a child, and him slapping me for it. I realize it might not have been just a dream, but a memory, or maybe even a warning.
“Alpha,” I say, trusting my gut. “I have narrowed it down to two individuals who may have killed Tyrus. They are both considered Executioners.”
“And?” His voice dips in tone, exaggerating the word like he couldn’t give a damn. I can’t tell if he already knew, or if he just doesn’t care.
“We should?—”
“Youshould do what I’ve told you,” he says, cutting me off. “And not a single thing else.”
“I was just going to suggest that I take out the person responsible for murdering my cousin,” I say, my voice shaky.
“Are you crying?”
“No.” I might be anxious. Terrified even, but I do not cry. “I just don’t want to disappoint you. It’s nerves.”
“Then kill Draven when I send the word. Goodb?—”
“Wait.” I take in a deep breath, desperate to get something good out of this conversation. “Draven has taken in a child. He’s a lupion. If I kill Draven, can we care for him?”
There’s a long beat of silence. “We’ll discuss that possibility at a later date. Keep your eyes on the target. And if you must, youmay kill the others too,” he says as if it’s a parting gift. “Goodbye, Tempest. I will speak to you when we’re ready.”
There are footsteps entering the hall. Quinn and Nico’s, from the sound of it, and I put the phone down and cross back out into the kitchen.
