Page 43 of Angel Captive

Melody?

“Both are looking for a way in and Alva is concerned. you need to speak with them and send them away. Unless you wish to leave.”

“No.” My home was here with Xaden. At least until he told me otherwise. “I’ll go see what I can do.”

Trox gave me a stiff nod. “I will take you close to them, but I will not endanger my people.”

“Thank you.” I placed a hand on his arm.

After I passedthrough the barrier, I hiked about a quarter of a mile to reach Melody and the man with her. Trox and Ximena had given me a sword and a dagger. It was better than nothing and I couldn’t blame them as they’d been attacked by Roulex repeatedly including tricks to get them to come out of the barrier. An old beat-up cruiser sat in the distance.

I stopped six feet from both of them. Melody looked frazzled with her curls sticking out in all directions. Had the Roulex beaten her for me and Xaden escaping?

She took a step closer and I held up my sword.

“Don’t come any closer. Say what you have to say then leave. I never want to see you again.”

Her anguished cry made my heart twist. “Riley. Thank God you’re okay. I’ve been searching for weeks for you.”

The man, a few feet away from Melody shifted uncomfortably. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, Riley, but your mother made me stay away.”

A faint scent of manure wafted from him. Lies.

“But if you come with me, we can build a life together. I’ll be the father you should have had.”

“Dad?” I choked out. Now I recognized him from old photos Mom had. He looked older, haggard.

The horrible smell grew stronger. But this was my dad. Why was he lying to me? I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

“You’ve never been in my life, even after Mom died, why now?”

His face reddened. “I-I didn’t know where you were or how to reach you.”

“That’s not true,” Melody quipped. “He was asking around the bars about you weeks before you disappeared. I-I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to worry.”

She knew I hated my dad for abandoning me and my mom. But I couldn’t trust her either. She’d sold me out to the Roulex.

“They are both lying,” said a third female voice.

I spun to find Melody’s double.

“Wha—” My friend didn’t have a sister.

“She’s an imposter.” The new Melody pointed to the first one. “And she is working for the Roulex.”

“The who?” First Melody held out her hands. “Riley, you have to believe me. I-I don’t know who this woman is, but I’m your friend. We’ve been together since high school.”

I didn’t know who to trust, but I knew a way to tell. I took a few steps closer to the new Melody. “Are you my friend?”

She blanched but squared her shoulders. “I know everything about you, Riley. Your father there left when you one year old. He never sent you one damn birthday card or even a phone call. All he cares about is money.”

“Answer my question.” I raised my sword higher between us.

“Yes, of course, I’m your friend,” she snapped. “Why would I be here otherwise?”

The rotten egg stench drifted from her mouth. Lies.

“You’re the imposter.” I shuffled toward the real Melody.

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