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“Sounds like you made Enigma who you wanted her to be.” Imogen smiled at me with an encouraging look on her face. I looked over at Pixel, who’d been quiet, and she stared back at me smugly. “It is the Siren way.”
“Son of a bitch.”
Everyone laughed, but it felt like something significant shifted in me. My whole life, I felt like I’d been running from a destiny I didn’t feel ready for, and instead, I’d fallen into it anyway.
“So, tell me more about this camp,” Immy asked, leaning into me.
Laughing, I worried I was putting ideas in her head, but I wouldn’t block her from the information. Pixel and I shared stories while we waited, and I felt a little lighter. Each new discovery, each piece of me I uncovered from the hidden depths of someone I thought I couldn’t be, I found a strength I’d never known I had.
It was enough for the moment to keep pushing me toward the next.
Ten
CAMILA
My knee bouncedas I waited for them to come home. I’d meant to call, but it seemed easier to just be here, so they couldn’t tell me no. It was stupid, I knew they wouldn’t reject me, but the fear lingered all the same. We’d talked every day since I’d called, and with Darren in custody now, the threat against me was lifted, and I’d been relegated back to my everyday life.
Or as normal as it could be. Jude was still missing, the scars of my torture were still present, and I’d accepted my role as a Siren, whatever the hell that meant. With Atticus giving me his approval last night, I no longer had any excuses.
When the door unlocked, I stood, nervously smoothing down my dress. I’d wanted to be sexy, but then decided against it. They hadn’t seen me since I’d left, and I wasn’t convinced they would still find me attractive. Stupid insecurities.
They both walked in, froyo in their hands, and stopped when they spotted me. I didn’t know who moved first, but one second they were ten feet away, and the next, the ice cream was spilling on the floor as they both wrapped me in their arms.
“You’re here.”
“Your hair.”
Laughing, I squeezed them back as tears ran down my cheeks, relieved it hadn’t been all a dream.
“I’m back, and I hope you like the hair. I just needed a change.”
“It’s gorgeous, Cams.”
They drew back, wiping my cheeks as they stared at me with love and adoration. Fuck, I’d been so dumb. So, so, so, dumb.
“I have some things to tell you.”
“Okay, should we sit?” Lark asked.
Agreeing, the three of us fell onto the couch, neither of them willing to let me go. When Lark noticed the spilled ice cream, though, she sighed heavily. “Don’t start, but let me clean that up real quick.”
“You good?” Seb asked, nuzzling me to him more as he asked her.
“Yeah. Hold our girl. She needs it.”
Sinking into his chest, I breathed in my boyfriend, the comfort of his smell settling the last of my frayed nerves. Seb kissed the top of my head, a gesture he’d done so often, but it felt more important now. Once Lark returned, she sat on Seb’s other side and curled up to him, pulling my legs into her lap.
“Okay, we’re ready.”
Over the next thirty minutes, I shared everything about my family. The Sirens, the Mascros, and the things I’d been through with Darren.
“So, when you left, it wasn’t to really leave but to try to save your family?”
“Yes and no. I knew I needed to do something, but I was also still under the impression that Darren loved me and would change. I was dumb. I made so many mistakes, and I’m sorry for that.”
Seb pulled me closer, his grip on me tight as he held me. “I’m sorry you had to go through all of that. I feel like an asshole assuming the worst about you when you left. And you were being tortured.” He sucked in a breath, his hand rubbing over my missing finger.
“It’s not your fault. I let you believe that. I think I felt I deserved it because of the pain I was causing others. I’m just glad it’s over now, and I can be open about things with you.”
