Page 339 of Black Reign

“You can't change the rules during the game.”

“I've been doing that since I met you.”

Fair.

Xavier turns fully toward me.

Takes my other hand.

The breeze moves through his dark hair.

For once there is no Blackwell mask.

No Ghost anonymity.

Just him.

“I can't promise you this will be easy.”

My throat tightens.

“I can't promise the truth about your father won't hurt.”

His hands close more firmly around mine.

“I can't promise my family deserves forgiveness for whatever we discover.”

The dog scratches behind one ear.

Somehow that keeps me from crying.

Barely.

“But I can promise you something I've never promised anyone.”

Xavier's voice lowers.

“Whatever we find, you will not face it alone.”

I stop breathing.

“Whatever name is attached to it. Whatever company. Whatever government. Whatever it costs me.”

His dark eyes lock with mine.

“I'm on your side.”

Papa was my side.

Then Papa was gone.

And for years afterward, there was only me.

Except there wasn't.

There was a black screen.

A blinking green light.