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She was right, but something told me he was too focused on his lover to really let himself get swept up in practicing hand-to-hand.
Aria gave me the rundown on the new packs joining us, more than happy to fill me in. Apparently, it was just two smaller fallen-blood packs, and almost all of them had gotten in without issue. Tiana had been helping some of them acclimate and explaining the rules when Dr. Vasille had asked Aria to donate some more blood; Auren had all but shoved her after the doctor when she’d tried to hang around in the event things went sideways.
“Oh my God, she really did it!” Aria squealed when we pushed open the cafeteria doors. I barked out a laugh at her antics. She scurried to the back, leaving me in the dust, and I followed with a grin that didn’t feel so forced.
We would be okay. I would save Mikey’s mate and child, and the four of us—five, I corrected myself when I remembered Auren would almost certainly want to help—would raise the kid under the protection of the Resistance. That part of my brother would not be lost, no matter what I had to do to ensure it.
22
TRUTH BE TOLD
ARIA
Iwasn’t sure what I’d been expecting Maria Velez to be like.
Old, maybe, since Captain Velez had seemed middle-aged, but graying hair at the very least, since witches were just humans with magic. Even though more powerful ones extended their lives, I hadn’t expected that much when I’d thought of Maria Velez, for some reason.
The woman I met was pregnant and practically glowing, her hands resting on her slightly swollen stomach. She’d come with the latest batch of blessed-bloods.
I’d been picturing someone old enough to be infertile, like Captain Velez had said she was, but she didn’t look a day over thirty-five. If I hadn’t heard her name before, I would have guessed they were sisters instead of mother and daughter.
I could remember the look on her daughter’s face when she’d asked me to tell her that she loved her.
It was like a gut punch to realize that Maria didn’t know about her daughter yet—and I’d promised the woman I would deliver the message.
Her dark hair was tied back, and those brown eyes glimmered happily as she talked to Dr. Vasille. The words they were exchanging were washed away by the rush of blood in my ears.
I felt the world sway beneath my feet.
Are you alright?Sariel asked tentatively. I nodded—then realized immediately that he couldn’t see me and felt even more foolish.
Yeah, I just ran into someone I wasn’t expecting to see.
When Maria noticed me standing there, she smiled at me, and nausea bubbled up my throat as I offered a brittle one in return. Dr. Vasille gave me a look of understanding that I didn’t want to see when the woman headed my way.
“You’re Aria, right? It’s nice to put a face to the name.”
I wanted to say it was likewise, but that would be a lie.
Intentionally or not, Zuzanna was theworstfor sending me over here, manilla folder in hand. I’d been happy to help, but when I’d wandered into the room and heard Dr. Vasille murmuring toMs. Velez, my entire world felt like it was crumbling.
“Maria?” I asked. It came out as a squeak.
Her eyebrows drew together suspiciously. Her response was even slower. “Yes?”
Of course, it wasactuallyMaria Velez and not a terrible coincidence. “Oh… It’s… it’s nice to meet you.”
The lie tasted awful. She could probably sense as much, from the uneasy look on her face.
I took a deep breath. “Um, your daughter…”
The way she immediately lit up shredded through me. “Oh! Is she here? Gabi never calls anymore, but I knew she’d see some sense after I introduced her to my Chandru the last time she was home.”
I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to navigate this situation. Should I just tell her? Would it be kinder to let her talk first? My fury with Zuzanna for knowingly letting me walk into this situation instead of trying to help me come up with a better way was palpable.
“Shewashere,” I settled on, looking away as her face fell.
“She’s a good girl at heart, y’know. I know she’s into some bad stuff with the Upper Council, but she’s not a bigot like the rest of them. When she finds out I’m pregnant, she’s going toloseher mind. Do you know when she’ll be back? Did she end up joining you guys?”
