Page 91 of Shadow and Skulls

I think I see her lip twitch, but I could be imagining things.

“I’m guessing he has been because you don’t get that looney overnight.”

When she stays still, I turn toward the window, staring at her through the reflection. “I’m also a victim of Dr. Williams. He convinced my mother, who was a patient of his, to give me to my uncle … he was a trafficker. I was trafficked.”

The little dragonfly spins in a circle when the wind picks up. “Dr. Williams was a master manipulator, but I’m sure you’ve been told that before. I’m not sure if you believe it, though.”

Still nothing.

“My mother lived just down the hall. She just died.” Tears begin to run down my cheeks. “I thought I was supposed to come here to say goodbye to her, but the universe didn’t bring me here for her. She’s been gone a long time. I think it brought me here for you.”

She blinks.

I stand up and move to stand behind her, still looking at her through the reflection. “You don’t belong here. Look at you. You’re gorgeous,” I say as I remove my dragonfly necklace. “You’re alive. You don’t have to sit here and watch a fake dragonfly spin outside your window. You can go out there and sit amongst the real ones.”

When the necklace falls over her chest, another piece of my soul heals. This is me fully stepping out and extending my light to someone who really needs it.

“This is a special necklace that has been passed on to the women of my family when they need it most. I didn’t know why it was given to me until now. Some say it grants wishes … some say it will bring you an angel. Let it be something to you.”

I clasp it and then step around to kneel in front of her. She still doesn’t look at me, but I know she sees me. I offer her a kind smile and then stand.

My mom hugs me when I join them at the door. “You are the angel.” She kisses me on my forehead. “Let’s go home.”

We wrap our arms through one another’s as we head down the hall.

“I hope it’s okay that I gave it to her,” I say, feeling bad about giving her necklace away.

She stops by the front door, turning me to face her. “The dragonfly will always lead the way,” she tells me, cupping my cheeks in her palm. Her gaze bounces over my face. “You are the best daughter.”

When we step outside, Tank is standing across the street in broad daylight. My mom slows her steps, pulling me to a stop with her. She stares at Tank for a long moment.

“Looks like we lost JD.” Her gaze goes from Tank to me. “I’m going to go look for him.”

I bite my lip, blinking back tears.

She pats my arm, giving Tank a warning glance before she heads back inside. I run across the street, jumping into his arms.

“I’m so sorry, little shadow,” he whispers as I bury my face into his neck.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Kelsie

Isift through the photos my mom pulled off the walls of my mother’s room. She didn’t have any family, other than me. Her brother, my abuser, disappeared after doing a short two years in the pen.

Disappeared into the belly of Grandma Maggie’s hogs.

A vision of my dead uncle flashes through my mind. Thanks to Jackson and Katie, I’ll never have to worry about him again.

Some of the photos are recent. Lily must have been sending them to the home. I glance over, watching her as she sleeps. She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. JD shifts her carefully so her head is leaning comfortably against the seat of the plane.

“I don’t know how she does it,” I say quietly.

He shakes his head. “She’s a force, isn’t she?” JD pats my leg. “How are you doing?”

“I’m okay.”

His warm brown eyes scan my face. “I know we’ve been telling you that you haven’t been yourself lately, but I think we’ve all been wrong. You’ve just been going through a growth spurt.”

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