Chapter 238
As the back patio came into view, along with Asher’s broad shoulders and unruly hair, I realized my gut had been right after all. Flecks of dazzling gold swirled in his eyes and were bright even in the dark, much brighter the porch lights with their artificial glow.
His shoulders visibly relaxed as his eyes settled on my face. Only I could see and feel the fury that painted his iris’s gold. While my vision might’ve tunneled on Asher, I didn’t fail to notice he wasn’t alone.
Reclined on the swinging bench was Breyona and Giovanni. Mason and Clara occupied the two chairs off to the side.
There wasn’t a single smiling face, only scowls carved deep with worry.
I’d almost forgotten about Ember and
Angelica, both of which were partially concealed behind my back, until Asher let out a snarl that nearly shook the entire house.
Ember went deathly still. The temperature rose several degrees, quick enough that a sweat began to break out along the back of my neck.
I took a step towards my mate. “Don’t, Asher. They’re with us.”
Breyona shoved herself off the bench, evading Giovanni’s arms before they could pin her in place. “Since fucking when?”
“It’s a recent development.” I admitted, waiting for Brandon to chime in. When he didn’t, I was forced to continue. “You don’t have to trust her. Trust me, okay?”
“Where’s Tessa?” Ember didn’t hesitate to ask.
Surprisingly, Clara was the one who answered. “Your sister’s inside with her mate. You ain’t welcome in yet, though.”
“Where the fuck have you been?” Asher bellowed.
I bristled at fury in his voice, thinking he was talking to me. His eyes, however, were trained on Brandon.
“Oh, you know. Here and there.” Brandon replied dryly, grunting when Ember slammed her elbow into his ribcage.
I wondered if Ember could set things on fire with her glare, because she looked angry enough to kill.
Brandon sighed dramatically. As usual, he wasn’t taking a damned thing seriously.
“I was captured by Ember…my mate.”
He was more than reluctant to admit the second part.
out. As deafening as it
going crazy. Did I just hear Brandon-“Cassidy’s laughter was cut short when she popped her head out of the back
from my head
ounce of it was forced into the command I sent out to the shadows, drawing them from the depths of the forest by the dozen. They leapt off the ground and stretched, wrapping around Cassidy’s body before she even had the chance to
I heard Angelica coo in amazement, but the sound was swallowed before I
-blonde hair falling into her
towards me. Ember, of all people, cut him off.
cut short. Her chest continued to heave, and as her lips trembled, I could practically see her dying to continue.
until the bitter
what are you doing?”
sent a wave of agonizing pain through
me. He had
I was about to say, a truth that would change everything and could never be taken back.
her. It’s always been her. Cassidy’s
head and snarled. She wriggled against the hold the Shadows
damn mind, Asher. You know me! You’ve known me our
a muscle. Even his chest had gone completely still, the oxygen still swirling in his lungs. My mate looked between Cassidy and I, and for the first time in our tumultuous relationship, he truly seemed torn. When
to me?! You’re my
watered so convincingly that if it hadn’t been my own brother that whispered her name in my ear, even I would’ve believed her. I wasn’t at
her go, Lola. I won’t tell
through Asher’s chest, directed at his
to just calm down.” Mason chimed in, ever the
her eyes on Cassidy, pursing her lips until they formed a thin line. “I’m on
stuff she had going on is gone, which mean’s she’s not
Brandon from me this entire
Brandon. Get your head out
glowered at his mate, but the witch
“I am
whispered. “…she’s not.”
that changed, that part remained the same. Color seeped into her hair from her roots, staining the golden strands a deep auburn. Her eyes followed, the
like a vicious snake coiling in the grass, she attempted to lunge at Ember, all hints
Nothing! We’re going to kill you-all of you!” Cassidy screamed and snarled, switching between manic laughter and fury so potent a chill skittered down
Brandon even though there was no need, craned her head
this, please. She didn’t know.”
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