Page 279 of Trick or Stalk

“I don't know if I can forgive him.”

“Then don't.”

I turn back sharply.

Wilder shrugs. “Not today. Maybe not ever. That's your call.”

“You really suck at this whole convincing-me-to-take-your-brother-back thing.”

“Good. Because that's not why I'm here.”

“Then why are you?”

His gaze meets mine. “To make sure you know enough to decide for yourself.”

My chest squeezes.

Hades should have given me that from the beginning so I could make a choice.

But it’s too late now. We can’t go back and change things.

Wilder pushes his chair back. “That's more than two minutes.”

“By a lot.”

He stands. “I've never been good with time.”

“Wilder.”

He looks at me.

“Why did he do it?”

His face changes. “Which part?”

“All of it.” I run my fingers around my cup. “Watching me. Following me.”

The mask.

Wanting to frighten me and protect me at the same time.

Wanting every version of me while splitting himself into two.

But I don’t say those things.

I can’t.

Wilder is quiet for several seconds. Then he shakes his head. “That one you need to ask Hades.”

Frustration flares. “You came here to explain him.”

“No.” His voice is gentle. “I came here to give you context.”

I stare at him.

“He needs to explain himself.”

Damn him. That's annoyingly fair.