Page 154 of Demise

Chapter Forty Seven

Skyla

After an emotional day, we all had dinner at my parents’ house and talked a little bit about our lives. And by our lives, I mean that Liam and I opened up. The rest stayed very tight lipped. They aren’t as trusting, and I understand that. They can’t feel the connection I feel. They are on guard, and I know it’s only out of protection for me and themselves.

My mom walked us over to the cottage that they set up for us. The guys were vehemently against it. Ronan explained that we already had accommodations, but my mom insisted, and honestly, I was happy with it. I want to soak up every minute I possibly can with her, with my father, too. Begrudgingly, the guys agreed, and now as we are getting settled, I take a moment to pull my mom to the side.

“When can I tell Steph because…I can’t keep this from her forever.”

“You have to!” my mom urges. “Sky, you can’t tell a soul outside this house. Your father, myself, and the entire coven would be in danger if you did.”

“But it’s Steph. She loves you and grieves you to this day more than I know. She deserves to know.”

“It’s not safe. You have to know that the Brethren has bugged everything from her home to her cell phone.”

I frown. That’s valid. Look at the dorm rooms, our home. We debugged it only for Christopher to want it bugged again. He always has his ear to the ground, or his henchmen. It’s probably how he’s become so powerful in the time he’s been in control.

My heart breaks for Steph but I nod my understanding.

“One day, I hope I can see her again. I miss her so much,” she says with a sad shake of her head. “I’m so thankful she took such good care of you.”

“She really did,” I say with a nod.

“And Henry?” she asks stiffly.

“For most of my life, he was indifferent. Christopher has been a little more…brutal.”

My dad steps into the house, smiling.

“Does anyone need anything?”

When his eyes come to us, he can feel the heaviness of the moment he walked in on and he begins to back pedal.

“It’s okay,” I say. “You can stay. I uh, was telling mom how good to me Steph was.”

“And how bad Christopher has been,” my mom says, forcing my dad’s jaw to clench tightly.

“What has he done to you?” he asks stiffly.

“Mostly psychological mind games, but there was one day…he was punishing Asher, forcing me to watch, and I…protected him.”

Both of their brows furrow as I turn around, pulling down the shoulders of my sweater with a crisscrossed back, revealing my scars. They’re healing well, but they’ll always be there. My mother gasps, and I hear my father exhale savagely as I turn around, fixing the sweater into place.

“I’m so sorry, baby girl,” she says with her hand over her mouth, tears in her eyes as she shakes her head.

“He will get what has been owed to him and his family. One day,” my dad promises.

“The whole family isn’t bad,” I defend as my eyes come to Asher and Ronan who are carrying bags in from the car.

“We can see that,” he agrees. “So many wrongs demand to be righted, though, and he will be at the forefront of the list.”

My dad closes his eyes like it’s physically painful for him to look at me for a moment before he blinks away the anger and smiles.

“We’ll let you all get some sleep and see you in the morning.”

My mom wraps her arms around me, holding me tight.

“I love you,” she whispers.

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