She smiled.“I don’t abuse the offer of labour.But if it makes Myrtle feel comfortable, I will paint every freaking wall of that house.”
“And Persephone?”
“She gets one room per litter.”
Duran laughed.
Dinner was made, which was good because Emhara wasn’t a good cook.She hadn’t been allowed near knives in the pack house.
Carlos and his wife were there.Emhara smiled, and it wasn’t a good smile.
She walked up to them and took his hands.“Dad, how nice to see you again.”
His wife inhaled sharply, and Emhara felt the hard strike to her cheek.She spat blood on her stepmother’s dress before she raised her hand, glowing with power, and slapped the other woman with the fury of an eight-year-old who didn’t understand why an adult hurt her.
Her stepmother slammed to the ground with her eyes wide.Tears began to slip down her cheeks.
Emhara said, “This is my house, this is my pack, and you are a guest.This is my dad.He lights up when he hears it, and just because he didn’t use protection with a lunatic, I am not and never have been to blame.The next time you strike me, you will burst into flame, and no one will be able to put it out.For now, my contact is giving you a gift.The gift of every mark you made on my body during the visits.Enjoy.Now, shall we sit for dinner?”
The marks began to bloom on her face, neck, and arms as Carlos looked at her and said, “How could you do this to my little girl?”
She swallowed and said, “You wouldn’t give me another child.”
“You nearly died with Mateo.You couldn’t have another child.You insisted in the open marriage so you could seek comfort with someone who wasn’t me.”
Emhara didn’t say anything, but that was a turn.
“After your sixth lover, I began to frequent the club, and I found her mother.Two encounters and Emhara was the result.They offered you the child.Her mother wanted to give her up, and you slapped me and spewed venom.But then, you rejected the girl and took your frustration out on her.I hope the marks stay.They add a certain something to your appearance.”
She touched her face and winced.
Emhara walked to the table.“Oh, the pain from the contact will be there.Imagine being one-quarter your size and having a fist slam into your back on the way to the dining table.”
“Please stop it.”
“Sit and have dinner like a big girl and keep your mouth shut, or things will get worse.”She smiled at her.“Sound familiar?Now.Sit!”
She stumbled forward and sat, tears falling.
Carlos didn’t say a word.
Samsor sat, and the others did as well, passing food and filling plates.
Emhara looked at Carlos and said, “I have completed a drawing of Mateo’s family, complete with babies and cats.”
He grinned.“Did you?”
“One with his face and one looking all normal and shit.So, I have completed one portrait in acrylic and am working on two more in oil.”
Her stepmother whispered, “You have a portrait of his family?”
Emhara rapped on the table.“Speak when spoken to, or I will do worse.”
She looked at Samsor.“In case you haven’t caught on, these are phrases I was treated to as a child.”
Echel nodded.“We guessed as much.”
“You know, I don’t know of many things as cowardly as using a child to punish an adult, especially when the child never disclosed the abuse.That’s why she convinced my mother to hand me over to Augusta’s pack.”She daintily sliced some of the roast, put more mashed potatoes and peas on the fork, and took a neat bite.
