Page 200 of Silver Elite

She doesn’t answer.

“Mom. We’re not doing this again. I don’t want to hook you up with tubes again. Please.”

As if sensing my presence, his head swivels toward me.

“Fuck’s sake, Wren. I told you to wait downstairs.”

“I’m sorry. I just…” I trail off. There are no excuses. I was being nosy.

His mother doesn’t turn at the sound of my voice. Doesn’t seem to care there’s a stranger in her bedroom.

Frowning, I edge closer.

“Wren. Go downstairs.” He sounds tired.

“Is she okay?”

“No, she’s not.”

“How can I help?”

“You can’t.”

“Cross—”

The woman spins around so fast I jump in surprise. A pair of wide-set blue eyes meet mine with an empty stare that sends a shiver skittering down my spine. The complete absence of emotion is unsettling as hell.

But it doesn’t remain that way. For a moment, I can tell she’s registering my presence, because confusion etches into her face. Then she blinks and shakes her head, and her gaze shifts from confused to vacant. Back and forth. Confused. Blink. Vacant. Blink. As if her brain is struggling to keep her present.

Unease churns in the pit of my stomach. I’ve seen that expression before. Those same erratic blinks.

Either I’m completely crazy, or Cross’s mother is Modified.

Chapter 44

Before I can even begin to make sense of that shocking notion, Vinessa Redden slaps both hands over her ears and lets out an anguished moan.

“Mom,” Cross says urgently.

She ignores him. Her slight shoulders start trembling. The moan dissolves to soft whimpers while her mouth keeps opening as if she’s trying to speak but can’t. I stare in disbelief.

“Mom, come here. It’s okay.”

He leads her by the arm toward the sitting area, helping her into a chair. With infinite tenderness, he pries her hands from her ears.

“It’s okay,” he repeats. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

The whimpers fade. She looks at him, the blank stare returning.

Cross turns on his heel and heads for the door. I hurry after him.

“Cross. What the hell is happening right now?”

He quickens his pace.

“Is she Aberrant?” I demand.

He stalks down the hall toward another door, scanning his thumb to open it. It’s a study, with an entire wall of glass bookcases and a full bar in the corner. Without a word, he pours himself a drink and takes a long swig.

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