Page 13 of Frosted Torment

Ivy rolled her eyes and teased, “You look good in pink.”

The knock persisted, and Jossy moved to answer it. “I told you it was open when you texted me, brother.”

The room seemed to shrink as Lex walked in with a duffle bag in one hand and dropped it on the floor next to Ivy. His unzipped jacket revealed sculpted abs under his shirt, and he smelled like fresh air. I shrank back, not wanting to see him after what he had said about me.

Ivy jumped up from her spot and embraced him with a grateful hug. “Thank you, and I owe you one.”

Lex nodded. As Ivy checked her bag for her toiletries and clothes, he rubbed his chin and eyed me with curiosity.

“I didn’t take you for silk or pink, for that matter.”

I crossed my arms in front of me. “You’re here. Not something I’d take you for doing, either.”

Lex slid his hands into his jeans pockets. “I deserve that since I’m not around much anymore.”

“No, you don’t.” I shook my head, then scrunched my nose when I remembered how I puked on him. “I’m so sorry about your boots, Lex.”

One side of his mouth rose in a slight smile. “Not a problem, and I’m already having them cleaned.”

With my head cocked sideways, my eyes turned to slits as I watched him. “Why are you here?”

He pulled his hands from his pockets and rubbed them together. “I want to help.”

“You do? But I thought?—”

He interrupted, smiling. “You scared us last night.”

“Me too,” I admitted with surprise.

“Care to share what happened with that psychic?” Lex asked.

I thought about the Baneful and my mother’s warning. My thoughts were in disarray as images and emotions flooded my mind. The weight of their concern pressed down on me, and I took a deep breath. They deserved to hear the truth, even if it meant exposing my vulnerability.

“I had a vision last night,” I revealed, kneading my eyelids with trembling palms.

Jossy’s eyes softened, but apprehension still creased his brow. “Noa, we know you’re seeking answers, but consulting a psychic won’t reveal them. Even if our sister coerced you.”

“She didn’t coerce me, but I did see something.”

Ivy’s soft pressure on my thigh soothed my anxious tension. “You can tell us anything,” she said.

Lex stepped forward, his voice steady. “Let’s see if we can help you make sense of it.”

“I saw my mom, and she was beautiful,” I whispered. “Radiant. She wanted me to find out who killed her.”

Jossy shook his head, doubt clouding his eyes. “Is it possible you saw what you wanted to see?”

“I’m leaving in a week, Jossy,” I confessed, then chewed the inside of my cheek, waiting for him to respond.

His eyes widened as he glanced at Ivy. “And you knew about this, but didn’t say anything?”

She shrugged, meeting her brother’s startled gaze. “I found out before the party, but now do you see?” She sighed deep. “I had to do something.”

Jossy’s shoulders relaxed, but worry lines remained etchedacross his forehead. “Noa, we know you’re seeking answers, but consulting a psychic won’t reveal them. Even if our sister coerced you.”

“She didn’t coerce me, but I did see something,” I admitted.

Ivy’s gentle touch on my thigh sent a wave of calm through me. “You can tell us anything,” she said.

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