“You got your sister involved, too?” My mother’s voice rose, yet another octave, and I winced at her tone.
“Mother.” The word was an exhausted plea on my lips. “I’m over a century old. Iknowwhat I’m doing.”
“Pfph,” my mother humphed as she took the plate from my hands and began furiously scrubbing at it. “Don’t age drop me, girl. I have sixcenturieson you. I’ve lived a life you couldn’t have dreamed in your wildest fantasies.”
I sighed as I spun on my heel, leaning against the bar top. “Please, Mother, I’m begging you. Just come by the apartment tonight and hear us out. I know you don’t like to talk about it,” I admitted aloud. “But you know Father was looking into things . . . That he had suspicions and fears that ultimately cost him his life. So, please, just give us a chance. Please?”
My mother stared at me, her hazel eyes narrowing before her lips pinched into a tight line as she thought over my proposal.
“Fine,” she replied. “I’ll be there.”
“Thank you.” I sighed in relief at her answer. “I’ve got to fly, but Iwillsee you tonight. Seven o’clock.” And with that, I headed out the double doors, on to my next stop before the chaos that would ensue tonight. On to meet Emberly, Sage, and Finn. To ensure that they were up to speed on the latest plans.
I paced my kitchen.Back and forth. Back and forth. Back?—
“For the love of the stars,” Finn growled as he stretched his hand out, stopping me from any further pacing. “You’re going to wear holes into youralreadythreadbare rug. You need to relax.”
“I can’t,” I admitted as my fingers snaked through my hair. “What if they don’t believe us? What if they don’t want out?”
“They will,” Finn replied, calmer than I’d expected him to be.
“Stop stressing, Rae,” Sage added as she spun around on the barstool she was perched on to look at me. “Besides, it’s literally just those closest to us to begin with—our parents, siblings. We’ll be fine.”
I stared at her without amusement. “My mother nearly refused to even show up today. I had to bring up my father for her to even consider what I was saying.”
“Your mother will believe us, trust me,” she affirmed, and I nodded slowly, trusting that this would work.
“Okay,” I replied. “Let’s do this.” I began to walk into my living room, my three best friends falling in behind me as we stepped in front of those we loved.
“Thank you all for coming,” I started, already cringing at the words falling from my lips. “Um . . . I know there’s probably some confusion as to why we asked you all to be here tonight. And I know we don’t have much time, with the curfew currently in effect. But—” A knock sounded on the door, and we all froze, my eyes darting toward Finn. A rapid hush of utter silence fell across the room as he hurried over to the display by the door, checking to see who was on the other side. I watched as he tapped around on the display system before a light whirled, and then the locks of my front door unlatched.
“He came,” Finn replied as he turned to look at me. “At least, I’m assuming it’s him, based on the outfit he’s wearing.”
“You’re sure it’s him?” I questioned, my eyes darting toward the door.
“No?” Finn replied, arching a brow at me. “We’ve nevermetthe male before. But based on the messages, I’d say I have a fairly good chance at being correct.”
“Well, then”—I gestured toward the door rapidly—“let him in. Don’t just makehim stand there.”
Finn sighed dramatically before opening the door to the apartment and letting the male walk through.
The male stepped into my living room, and I heard a sharp gasp that had me spinning as a strangled noise fell from my mother’s lips. “Iver.”
I stared at my mother in shock before spinning toward the male she calledIver, my gaze darting back and forth between my mother and the male.
“Alya Kingsley,” he responded with a nod. “It’s been far too long.”
“Too long indeed. I haven’t seen you since?—”
“Since the king executed Graysen for treason,” he answered as I continued to look between the two. My mother’s eyes watered with unshed tears as she looked at the male standing inside the doorway.
“And I apologize for that,” Iver added. “There’s been so much at stake, but it’s no excuse. I should have checked in on your family throughout the years. I should have been there for Graysen.”
“You were both guards at the time,” my mother stated. “There was only so much anyone could have done for him.”
Wait,my mind reeled as my gaze darted between the two once more.Do they know each other? Why does my mother know a Remnant? Does she know he’s a Remnant?
“So, it’s true then?” she asked him as she glanced to where I stood, before returning her gaze back to the male in question. “Everything my daughter told me. The spies?—”
