Page 78 of Dig Your Grave

Anubis:

“Meet me at the language arts garden after your chat with Kate?I have something to show you.”

My lips curved, heart giving a little leap.The language arts garden.That quiet spot with the trickling fountain and rose bushes had become our haven, a place of stolen kisses and whispered dreams.

Me:

“On my way.”

I snapped my laptop shut and headed for the exit.As I passed the checkout desk, the library’s hush gave me a jolt of memories.Margrett’s old scolding voice, the infiltration we’d done.Now, new staff and open smiles replaced the old tension.A new era,I repeated mentally.

Sunlight greeted me as I slipped around the corner of the language arts building.The garden beyond remained as tranquil as always with neatly trimmed hedges, clusters of rose bushes, a little koi pond shimmering under the late morning light.A single bench sat in front of the fountain where water cascaded gently over smooth stones.

Anubis stood near the fountain, hands in his pockets, gazing at a cluster of pale pink roses.He wore a soft gray sweater and dark jeans, hair brushing the collar.My stomach did a little flip at the sight of him—some part of me still expected the old cocky grin, but the man before me looked calmer, older than our years.

He turned, smiling faintly.“Hey,” he said, crossing the garden in a few long strides.

My heart thrummed as he wrapped me in a warm hug.His scent, some subtle cedar cologne, settled my nerves.“Hey,” I echoed, tilting my head back to meet his eyes.

“What’s this about a surprise?”I asked, trying to lighten the swirl of anxiety in my chest.

He took my hand, leading me to the bench.“Have a seat.”

Once we were settled, he rummaged in his backpack and withdrew a small, leather-bound folder.It was scuffed around the edges, the color an old burgundy.

“What is it?”I asked, tracing the worn cover.

He cleared his throat, looking both excited and nervous.“I asked a friend in the county records office to help me dig deeper into that genealogical thread.You know, the one that suggested you’re distantly linked to the Edenvane family.”

My stomach clenched.“But we already have the caretaker’s ledger files.”

He nodded.“Yes, but those mostly ended in speculation.This,” he gestured to the folder, “has official records.I thought you deserved to know for sure.If you’d rather not see them, I’ll respect that.But I wanted you to have the choice.”

My heart pounded.The genealogical link had haunted me—knowing I might be connected by blood to the very family that had inflicted so much pain.I swallowed hard.“Let me see.”

He opened the folder, revealing copies of old birth certificates, marriage licenses, some typed lineage charts.My eyes scanned the lines.Names I only vaguely recognized, going back over a century.Finally, in bold text:Suede Sara Divore (b.2004), paternal line to Jeremiah Edenvane (b.1920) via unknown father.

A wave of disorientation.Jeremiah Edenvane was one of Anubis’ great-uncles, if I recall from the caretaker’s ledger.My father had apparently come from that line.No wonder he vanished from our lives.Perhaps he never even told my mother about his ties.

Tears pricked my eyes.“This means we’re… distantly related?”I asked, voice trembling.

Anubis placed a steady hand on my back.“Very distantly, if I’m reading these charts right—like fifth or sixth cousins, separated by multiple branches.It’s not exactly an immediate family situation.”

I let out a shaky breath, relief warring with the weirdness.“But still, we share an ancient bloodline.The Skulls wanted to exploit that.I guess in the old days, wealthy families used to keep track of every branch.”

He gave a sad nod.“They saw it as currency.Another reason they fixated on you.The final impetus for them to brand you, bring you into the fold.But we both know blood alone doesn’t define us.”

I pressed my lips together, absorbing the swirl of emotions.“You’re right.It’s just… a lot to take in.I’ve always felt like a nobody.Now I find out I have a father from some branch of your family.But he never acknowledged me.”

Silence fell, broken only by the fountain’s gentle splash.Finally, Anubis rested his arm around my shoulders.“Your father’s choices don’t diminish your worth.The Edenvane line that lured you into the Skulls is the same line we both defied.You carved your own path.”

Tears threatened to spill.I closed the folder, exhaling.“Thanks for showing me.”

He ran a thumb across my cheek, catching a stray tear.“I didn’t want it to haunt you.I thought it might help you put it to rest.”

I nodded, letting out a long breath.“Maybe it does.This is just… closure, right?So, I can move on, no matter what the truth is.”

We sat there, the folder on my lap, the fountain murmuring behind us.Eventually, I turned to him.“Kate wants me to do a big article.Possibly the entire story.My infiltration, Toccara, the brand.Everything.Do you think we should?”

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