Page 115 of Hidden Echoes

It’s this quiet ache, like I can’t quite catch my breath when she’s not just mine.

I think I miss her.

She deserves something simple, like making real friends and enjoying their company.

I remember when she first started talking to Livia, Audrey, and Andi, and though they still text, it's good to see her spending time with a friend in person.

Unlike me, Mia recharges around people. Where I retreat, she thrives, drawing energy from the world around her.

And while she’s finding her own way, I’ve got other things to handle.

The Society of the Crow is something that passes down from family to family.

It always has been that way. I accepted it because it was what my father would have done.

I wanted to understand why he cared so much about it, why he never hesitated to carry the name and the duties that came with it. But now, years later, I realize it wasn’t about the society itself. It was about him.About feeling closer to him.

I never really wanted to be here. I never wanted this destiny mapped out for me. But there are things we only do because we don't know how to say no.

And now, here I am, tattooing the symbols of an organization that existed before my name even meant anything.

And then comes Charlie.

"Earth to Zane, are you listening?"

I blink, dragged out of my own head. Mia’s name was still spinning circles in there, wrapping itself around everything— her voice, her laugh, the way she steals my hoodies like it means something permanent. Like she belongs there—wrapped up in my clothes, in my space, in everything I try to keep guarded.

In fact, she does.She belongs to me.

"Hm?" I mumble, already knowing I’m late to whatever point Charlie was making.

She groans and rolls her eyes like I’ve just committed a personal offense. "I was talking about Mitchell, idiot."

"Right. Mitchell." I shift in the chair and pretend I wasn’t a million miles away thinking about someone who won’t leave me alone, even when she’s not here.

"You’re seriously hopeless," Charlie mutters. Then she lifts the phone she was scrolling through and turns it toward me. "Look. This is him. I swear to you, he looks like you, but with black hair and way too much money."

Reign has been the talk of the town ever since he announced his grand rebellion against the Society. But no one in power takes him seriously—acknowledging him would mean giving him legitimacy, and he has none. So, they ignore him. Which means the memes and jokes never get their moment.

"Are you sure you weren’t switched at birth?"

"Unfortunately, yeah," I mutter, and Charlie pats my shoulder like she actually feels bad for me.

I stare for a moment, and it's bizarre how much our faces resemble each other. We could easily be mistaken for one another.

"He’s an idiot, but he knows how to disappear when it matters. Sources say he’s trying to cut a deal with the Cartel. He’s not from Texas, so they probably don’t know him yet. But I do."

"You know everyone. Perks of being from a founding family."

"Not exactly. It’s impossible to knoweveryone." She tilts her head. "But the Owl Clan? They probably do. Those bastards always find a way to knoweverything."

"I didn’t know Livia and Andi were part of the Society," I say, thinking of Mia’s friends.

"Livia Goodwin—well, LiviaSpencernow. She’s my sister-in-law," Charlie corrects. "Old blood. Her family’s one of the founding ones. Andi’s took over after the Rivieras fell, but it’s not the same."

"And that’s why Reign Mitchell is so pissed off he’s trying to start a mini-revolution?"

"You know how men are," she says, dry as ever. "They don’t get what they want, so they start a war. He wanted the high seat too." She shrugs like it’s nothing. "But I don’t think we need to worry about Crimson Star right now. Though..." A slow smirk creeps onto her face. "It wouldn’t hurt if you made us some bombs."

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