Page 27 of Mostly Shattered

“As pets.”

Anthony’s grin widens. “Peter will let you pet him. He likes to be told what to do. He’s a good boy.”

I refuse to laugh at his joke, even though it’s funny. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to have to pass.”

My resistance only adds to his temporary amusement.

Anthony pushes himself up to sit beside me. He grins, but the smile still doesn’t quite reach his eyes. I know he’s frustrated for both of us.

“Everything with the elders is about tradition, legacy, status. We’re all pawns in some twisted chess game of life. It’s never about what we want.” There’s something more in his voice now, an edge of bitterness that makes me look closer at him. He avoids my gaze as he stares down at his hands.

“Have they been pressuring you, too?” I knowthat they’ll expect him to marry eventually. And it will not be to the person he chooses.

“Always and forever.” He shrugs, trying to brush it off with his usual easygoing charm. “But you know me. Always dodging expectations. As long as I’m smiling and playing the role of the dutiful son, they don’t look too closely at what I’m doing.”

Our parents might not look closely at him, but I do. Beneath the humor, I can feel his discomfort—the weight of what is eternally left unsaid. Anthony has always been the special one, the one who fits in. But I know that’s just what he lets people see. Since Conrad’s death, the more time I spend with Anthony, the more I realize how much I assumed about him that isn’t true. His life is not easy. He’s a hostage of this family’s expectations, just like me.

I reached to pat his knee briefly. “What are you going to do when they dictate it’s time for you to marry and have kids?”

Anthony’s difference for a fraction of a second and his expression falters. He quickly recovers and gives a slight shrug. “I guess I’ll deal with it when the time comes.”

The nonchalance in his voice is forced. He avoids my gaze again, and I suddenly feel the weight of his secrets pressing down on him.

“Anthony, if you ever want to talk?—”

He cuts me off with a tight laugh and runs his hands through his hair, messing the locks.

I refuse to let him deflect. This is too important, and I need to say it. Considering my future staring down at me, I need him to know that he has my unwavering support. “You shouldn’t have to live like this, pretending and hiding. I’m your sister. And I love you no matter what.”

“You know it’s not that simple, Tam-tam. I will say it again. It’s all about appearances and keeping the family going.” Anthony adjusts himself on the bed, moving to lean against the headboard. He stares at the distant wall. Even though he can’t fix my problems, his presence is comforting. I wish I knew what to say to him to make things better. I wish I knew what to say to myself.

“Let’s run away. Let’s go to Africa,” I suggest. “Tonight. Just like you said. Let’s disappear where they will never find us.”

He turns his head to look at me. “The only shipment heading in that direction is a family of goblins. We don’t want to hitch a ride with that smelly mess.”

My heart sinks a little. “It doesn’t have to be Africa. Let’s just leave.”

Honestly, I’d be happy going to Antarctica right now. Anywhere but here.

Costin’s face flashes in mymind. For a moment, I feel the intensity of his gaze, as if he’s standing right before me. I hate that I keep thinking about him, about the secrets he dangles in front of me. Why him? Why now? He was cut off before he could tell me about the prophecy, about the future waiting for me. I can’t help but wonder if his prophecy and Mortimer’s premonitions are the same thing. What are the odds that they both came on the same day—my family’s expectations, the growing danger, the prophecy?

I’d be lying if I said my preoccupation with the master vampire is just the prophecy. There’s something else there, too. Something dark and dangerous, something I don’t want to admit that I’m drawn to. I can’t even afford to fantasize about the vampire. That’s a treacherous path I do not want to travel.

Besides, the odds are Costin is not attracted to me; rather, he’s just fucking with me because he’s bored, and he can.

Anthony moves down on the bed to sit beside me and nudges me with his elbow, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Stressing about it will not make it go away.”

I force a smile, but my mind is still racing.

“Hey, you want to see something fucked up?” Anthony asks, and before I can answer, he adds, “Yes, you do.”

He rolls off the bed, grabs my hand, and pulls me behind him.

“Seriously, I think you should consider Peter. It’s a good option.” He hooks his arm through mine and forces me to walk with him out of the bedroom.

“One quick bite, and I’ll be howling at the moon in no time,” I joke. “Immortality, baby!”

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