Page 105 of Rest In Knotty Pieces

I shield her from the others, protecting her from the curious gaze of the Sandersons.

I pull her into my arms and hold her tight as she buries her face in my chest.

“It’s going to be all right, I promise. We’re going to take care of it. I won’t let you down.”

She pulls back and wipes her eyes with the sleeve of her jumper before glancing at King. He’s staring at her intently, shock and wonder on his face.

She rushes to him, jumping into his arms. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her tight against him.

His fingers tangle in her hair and drag her mouth to his, where they share the sweetest kiss I think I’ve ever seen.

A twinge of envy hits me. Don’t be a dick; she’s allowed any and all kindness.

She pulls back, brushing her fingers down his cheek. When Rolly and Sage join them, the four of them exchange a poignant reunion that I don’t feel like I’ll ever be part of.

“What is this?” Mark asks from beside me.

“This is Merle. She can’t or won’t talk. But…”

“They all love her, and she loves them. How does that work, anyway? Do you have feelings for the other alters or not?”

Honestly, I’ve thought about it a lot. If anyone had asked me months ago, I would have said it wasn’t possible. There was only one alter I was in love with.

“I love Raven,” I admit. “But I have feelings for Merle, and I can see myself falling for Kestrel, too.” It’s a relief to say it out loud. To say it out loud where I don’t have to be smothered by the guilt of just thinking it into being. “I met Raven at the beginning; I only met Merle and Kestrel recently. For me, she is everything.”

“And the others? I assume there’s more?”

I shake my head. “I don’t think Jay would welcome our attentions, and I have spent no time with the other two.”

“So, what does that mean? Does one alter intend on taking over so you can all be happy? How do you decide which one is yours? Do the rest go away?”

His question is one that has haunted me. How do you have a happy ever after with multiple alters?

“You’re assuming we all survive this.” I point out the obvious so I don’t have to admit I don’t have the answers.

Mark laughs softly, brushing his golden-brown hair back from his face. “Nice deflection, and sure. As that is looking unlikely with the world’s most prolific serial killer declaring open season on you all, fair statement.”

“Mark, I don’t know you well.”

“I have enjoyed every second of pretending to be Pix’s love interest to get you jealous. Truly, you’ve been a good sport.”

I snarl at him, but he just grins widely.

“What do you need from me, big boy?”

“I need you to keep him angry, make sure he goes with you and stays there. Don’t let him come back.”

Mark’s smile falls. His shoulders slump, and I can tell how much he hates this plan. “Pix is a target?”

“I have been a thorn in Father’s side, finding his bases, taking what belongs to him and putting it out of his reach. He will and has tried to come after anyone who is connected to me. If Pix disappears now, there’s a chance he might ignore him.”

“And Sage? He’s one of Pix’s alphas, isn’t he?”

“It’s too late for Sage,” I whisper, staring at my stepbrother. “I tried to keep them all away from me; no one would listen. Sage is a target now, he is, after all, my stepbrother.”

“Mark, we have to move!” Mitchel shouts.

The alpha claps me on the back. “Don’t die, asshole. I don’t want to have to hunt you down in the afterlife for hurting my boo.”