Page 102 of Shadow

I hesitated momentarily before getting up and going to Sin’s room. I knocked on the door before cracking it open to see him lying in his bed, staring at the ceiling.

“Church wants you. It’s about Sirena.”

“Is she OK?” He sat up immediately, his voice wavering.

“Just come out, OK?”

He got to his feet and followed me to the living room. He sat next to Ashes on the couch and didn’t say a damn word. Church continued as if he’d not stopped talking.

“I learned some stuff last night. Sister Devon’s disappearance was at the hands of Asylum and Shadow. They killed her. They cut her body up and fed her to the wolves in the forest,” Church said.

“Bryce did that?” I rubbed my eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Church sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “Because of that and what I witnessed with Sirena yesterday and overnight, I’ve agreed to him joining us.”

I blinked rapidly at his words and looked at Ashes and Sin. Ashes nodded wordlessly. Sin rested his elbows on his knees and stared at Church.

“Sinclair? Issues?” Church challenged.

“No,” Sin murmured. “She deserves to be happy.”

“Ashes? Stitches?” Church looked at us.

“Is she coming home?” Ashes ventured, glancing at Sin. “I’m fine with it if she comes home.”

“She is. Eventually. Malachi?” Church fixed his gaze on me.

I blew out a breath. “I’m not a fan of the guy, but I did tell her that she could, so it is what it is. If he sucks, I want to be the one to kick his fucking teeth in.”

Church inclined his head at me. “Permission granted.”

“I also extended the invitation to Asylum,” Church continued. “He declined.”

“What?” I asked, surprised. “Why?”

“He says he has more things he needs to do before he joins. A few seem to have to do with Sin.” Church fixed his gaze on Sin, who shifted and stared at the floor. “Care to elaborate?”

“No.” Sin shook his head. “I don’t know what I have to do with any of it. He loves Sirena. I don’t know shit about his secrets.”

Church nodded, seeming to accept the answer. “Sin?”

“Yeah?”

“Sirena is coming home soon. I expect you on your knees, begging her to take your ass back.”

Sin finally looked up, his eyes rimmed in red. “I-I can’t, man?—”

Church pulled his knife out and stabbed it violently into the table next to his chair. “Then get your sorry fucking ass up, take this knife, and kill yourself. The only way out is death. If you are stupid enough to choose death over what you love, then you deserve to die.”

Sin’s eyes darted to the knife. “I don’t deserve her.”

“None of us do. Die or knees. No fucking negotiation. I’m not dealing with this shit. I’m calling today to have Cady’s pregnancy evaluated. Once we get a due date, we can find out who the fuck got her knocked up. If it’s you, you’ll do whatever she wants, short of fucking her again. And, to sweeten the deal, if you’re so fucking into having a kid, I grant you access to specter for a child, provided she’s OK with it.”

“What?” Sin’s voice cracked.

“You fucking heard me, Sinclair. If you want a kid, I will set my desires aside for you. I will let you ask Sirena for this gift. If she agrees, then you can have this guarantee of a biological family you seem to want so desperately.”

Sin visibly swallowed. Ashes rubbed his back, not saying a damn word.

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