Page 21 of Ashes

He shook his head. “I can’t. I don’t know how to make this right. It’s killing me inside. And siren. . .fuck.” His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “I’m sorry, man. I truly am.”

He didn’t elaborate past that. Instead, he strode in the direction of our place, his head down.

* * *

I knocked lightlyon the door to Sirena’s room in the medical ward later that evening. After forcing Church to just sleep and promising I’d be with her, he’d finally gone to his room and laid down. Stitches was asleep on the couch when I’d left, and Sin was holed up in his bedroom like he had been for the last week.

“How is she?” I asked, stepping into the room.

Cady looked up at me from the chair beside Sirena’s bed where she was reading a book.

“Same,” she answered, closing the book and stretching.

I moved to Sirena’s other side and leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. She didn’t respond. She simply continued to stare at the ceiling.

I settled into the chair beside her bed and turned to Cady.

“How are your parents?”

“My mother is fine. Jerry is a douche. I don’t claim him.”

I chuckled. Cady was funny once you got past her rough exterior. While Church and Stitches didn’t get along with her, I was finding her a welcome relief. Even if they took Sirena from Chapel Crest, I was confident Cady would make sure she was OK.

“That bad?” I asked.

“Worse. I’m just giving you the Cliffs Notes.” She glanced at Sirena before leaning forward. “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.” I held Sirena’s cool hand in mine as I focused on Cady.

“I think you’re probably a nice guy. I mean, your friends are dicks, but I like you and trust you. Do you love my sister?”

The question caught me off guard. “I-I do,” I said, my heart swelling as I recalled our short time together.

Sirena was what my soul needed. She came into my life at the right time.

Cady nodded. “I can tell, you know? All of you, actually. Except maybe Sinclair. He’s more dickish than the rest of you. He acts like he’s scared to even look at her. But then again, I only met him the one time.”

“Sin has trouble forming relationships. He’s desperate to, but he’s also scared. His illness and his past experiences can create many issues for him. He’s getting better though.”

“So you think Rina is safe with him?”

I looked at Sirena and smiled. “I’d like to think so. With all of us.”

“OK.” She swallowed and nodded. “OK. Then I’m going to tell you something.” She breathed out as I waited. “Listen, I want my sister to be safe. I want her home where I can take care of her, but the thing is, home might not be the best place for her.”

“Why?” My chest tightened with worry.

“Jerry. I-I told my mom, but she’s under the correct impression that I hate that asshole, so she thinks I may be acting out and trying to dislodge him from our lives.” She bit her bottom lip, clearly mulling it over in her head. “I came home from school early one day last year. Sirena had an appointment with some doctors that day. Mom took her but had some garden club meeting she had to get to afterward, so she left Rina at home. Jerry was there. I went upstairs to see Rina and make sure she was OK. I-I saw Jerry coming out of her room, and he was putting his belt back on. He didn’t see me though.”

My guts clenched at the possible implications.

“I went in her room right away. She was in bed beneath her covers. She refused to even look at me. Obviously, she wouldn’t tell me what happened. All she did was cry a little and stare at the wall. I never found out what happened in that room. I-I don’t know if he t-touches her or worse.” Her hands trembled as she continued, “I don’t think she’s safe at home if Jerry’s there. As much as I wished she was, I think he’d continue doing whatever he was doing to her if she came home. I don’t want that for my sister. I need to find out what sort of monster he really is then burn him for it.” Her words were so fierce they sent shivers through my body.

“If he hurt her, I’ll burn him myself,” I whispered, tightening my hold on Sirena’s hand.

I’d kill the son of a bitch if he touched my heaven. I wouldn’t hesitate. Violence wasn’t my thing. It was reserved more for the other watchers, but when it came to my heaven, I’d burn the fucking world down in her name.

Cady breathed out and stared me down. “They’re talking about doing some medical experiment on her to bring her back. To study her condition. If she stays, can you protect her?”

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