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And me.
“What is this?” I can hear the accusation in my voice. She couldn’t have done all of these paintings tonight. It would be impossible. She’s probably spent weeks painting me.
Her face is so pale I take a hesitant step closer, genuinely worried she might be on the verge of passing out. Even with newfound skepticism toward this woman, my first instinct is to make sure she’s okay. Leah waves me off.
“I see things. Moments in time. Sometimes moments that have already passed.” I look again at all of those familiar scenes as she speaks. “And sometimes I capture moments that haven’t happened yet.”
“It’s always been a curse. I saw Greg before I knew him, but it was only an image. I never know the details behind what I’ve seen. When I started painting this, I was really pleased. I’ve always thought that finding his mate might soften Paxton’s hard edges. But the painting kept getting darker and darker. I hoped it was just a misunderstanding, but your eyes…”
She looks directly at my eyes in the painting, and when I follow her gaze, I see it instantly. The agony. She hasn’t just painted a wolf being marked. She’s painted me being marked against my will.
The horror I feel sends me reeling backward.
“I thought maybe there was still a chance to fix it. The future can’t be written in stone. But Paxton looks at you like he would do anything to keep you, and you look at him like you would do anything to get away.”
“Because I already had my mate,” I point out stubbornly.
“I’m not judging you.” She flicks away a stray tear, true sorrow in the broken tone of her voice. “I know the pain of losing a mate. I also know what it means to be taken by someone you didn’t choose. I never want to hurt Paxton, but I don’t think I can let him keep you.”
An uncomfortable mix of emotions swirls through me.
I’m obviously not safe out in the world on my own, but Leah is telling me I might not be safe here either. I’m not in any position to question this gift of hers. Not when I see the evidence of it with my own eyes.
“I don’t have anywhere to go,” I admit, my voice cracking slightly.
Her brow wrinkles in confusion. “Yes, you do.” She slides the upsetting canvas aside to reveal the one behind it.
I recognize the library of the Luna Sovereign house instantly. I can just barely make out the title of the book in my hands.War and Warriors.It’s one of the old texts. The ones that can only be read by shifters whose ancestors have passed the language down.
For the first time since the Sovereign Pack called me away from my sister, something settles in my chest.
I’m going home.
* * *
“Wake up, sweetheart.” Leah’s voice nudges me gently awake. “Your ride is almost here, and I won’t be able to keep Paxton distracted for long.”
I’m wide awake in an instant. My eyes widen and then narrow as I toss the covers off of me and stand. “Who’s my ride?”
“Peter.” I narrow my eyes warily, already feeling like this is a trap. Her lips twist with something that looks like guilt. “No, don’t jump to any conclusions. Peter is a good kid, he just also happens to be a Glass. Paxton doesn’t know it, but Peter keeps in touch better than any of them. He’s the only one I trust you to go with. He’s honorable in a way a lot of Glass kids aren’t. Plus, Peter is only eighteen, so he hasn’t been so jaded by the world yet.”
I have so many questions.
“It’s okay, you can ask them.” She looks at me expectantly. I hadn’t realized I said the words aloud.
“How many Glass kids are there?”
“Thirteen at last count.” She wrinkles her nose, her hands twisting in the fabric of the fuzzy pink tank top she wears. “I’ve heard there’s been as many as twenty but possibly only about eight left if you believe the rumors.”
“I don’t understand.” How is it possible to not know how many siblings you have? They don’t talk? A pang hits my chest when I remember I haven’t talked to Tevin.
But I would know if something happened to him, right?
“None of that now. I didn’t mean to get you all worked up. Peter will keep you safe, but I don’t think he’ll be able to handle an emotional female. Maybe try to keep that inside for the car ride?” She forces a grin, but I can see the worry in her eyes.
“I’ll be the perfect hostage-being-returned. Promise.” The last thing I’m going to do is jeopardize losing a ride from someone Leah deems safe. There’s no guarantee I can trust it, but right now I have to take what I can get. Her painting is still burned in the back of my mind.
I know it must be costing her a hell of a lot to send me away. I can tell she cares about Paxton a great deal.
