“Oh my ancestors!” I put a hand over my mouth and laughed. “She sounds like she was so much fun when she was younger!”
“We had some crazy times back then,” Jonah said fondly. “Ask your mom about it. I believe it to be one of the shining moments of her existence.”
“I guess we get it from her, Ez included.”
“I mean, your grandpa’s pretty proud about the magazine spread. He keeps going on about how Ez is keeping family tradition alive, seeing as how gramps wonToaqua Today’sRear of the Year Award back in the day.”
I laughed. That was just like Grandpa Elliot— though I didn’t want to see old pictures of him in the nude at any point in my lifetime.
Jonah’s wide grin faltered. He came closer, and said, “By the way… there was something else I wanted to talk about.”
His tone was so serious it made my heart stop. “What about?”
“Well, Ez is here on attempted murder charges. I know it’s not because he wanted to beat up his ex’s new boyfriend.”
My eyes immediately watered. It took a lot not to turn away from him. “How long have you known?”
“You didn’t come to stay with me all those years ago because you were fighting with your dad,” he noted gently.
“And you never told anyone?”
“No. Josee and I had a discussion after you stayed with us, but nothing since.”
I figured my cousin knew. She was one of those sharp people that caught on to everything. I swallowed down the lump in my throat and croaked out, “How?”
“I saw the signs, because I’ve been there myself.”
“Really?” The admission was shocking. Uncle Jonah was so big, so strong. I couldn’t imagine anyone doing to him what had been done to me.
“An old boyfriend, a really long time ago,” he said heavily. “I’ve healed from it, but it’s still… hard.”
I nodded. “I’m so sorry.”
He dropped his shoulders. “The thing is, if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. And I want you to know, whatever the details are, that it wasn’t your fault.”
My throat burned. “Do you think Mama and Daddy—?”
“I don’t think they suspect anything, to be honest. I won’t tell them, either. That’s something you have to decide for yourself, if you want them to know.”
I threw myself against his chest and squeezed him tight. “Thank you for letting me decide.”
“You should always have a choice,” Uncle Jonah said as he hugged me back. “No matter what you’re going through, I will always support you.”
“I love you so much for that.” I pulled away. “Why didn’t you turn him in?”
“Because it’s your choice, not mine. I’m keeping a close eye on him, to make sure he doesn’t go after any other girls… at least, not at the school.” He gave a sad sigh. “There’s only so much I can do in that aspect, because I can’t be everywhere.”
“How do you handle having John at Orenda Academy, knowing what he did?”
“I’ve requested not to have him in my classes,” he said, mouth thin. “I don’t think I’d be able to look at him without blowing him to pieces. It’s hard enough being in the same building with that monster. He reminds me of— well. The past is in the past, and all that.”
The past was in the past. We’d all been through a lot. But maybe there was a chance for a better future. If my parents had split up and gotten back together, there might be hope for Charlie and me.
Uncle Jonah checked his watch. “I should probably get back. It was very dangerous coming here in the first place. I’m certain we’re being watched back in Kinpago.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Your parents are dealing with a lot,” he said regretfully. “Things at home are just as messy there as they are here. We’ve found vampire and angel spies hiding in the city. They’re waiting to see what the tribe is going to do about the Elves, once they’re found.”
