Page 16 of Forgotten Monsters
She leans on the banister, her hands linked, and glances at me sideways. “So…you will keep my secret?”
A sigh escapes me. “You’re my sister, Jules. That won’t ever change.” I tried to distance myself from her to please Piper, but in doing so, I almost lost her. No more.
Her dark curls fly in the breeze as she offers me her hand. “So…Together?”
I grip her fingers and squeeze. “Together.”
6
KANSAS
“Here we are, lass. The promised land.” With Allie’s wind at our backs, Barron steers his ship into Dark Falls’ bay.
A bright moon shines above our heads. The familiar shape of the cliffs twists my heart, and I instinctively reach for the phantom stab wound in my side.
The mainsail flaps as my sister nuances her magic.
Barron anchors his boat. “The water’s too shallow. I can’t go any further. We’ll have to tender out.”
Allie huffs. “I can fly.”
Rolling his eyes, the Scot lowers the sleek fiberglass canoe that was strapped to the railings into the water. Small waves splash the hull as I climb down inside the canoe and grab one of the paddles at the bottom. Barron motions for me to sit at the front and takes the seat at the back.
We glide along the bay, and the distance between us and the beach quickly melts.
The blade of my paddle waddles in the water like an ugly duckling learning to swim, probably doing more harm than good. A pirate’s life? Not for me.
The sun winks over the horizon, revealing flecks of orange and yellow in the trees, and I groan. “We missed the whole summer? Fuuck. You’ll be late to your thing in Miami.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Barron’s muscles flex as he rows with ease and skill.
The front of the boat glides along the beach with a softswish,and I jump to my feet, about ready to kneel down and kiss the sand.
Allie lands next to me.
“Thanks again. For everything,” I tell Barron. We already established he has no interest in crossing paths with anyone from our world.
Barron uses the pummel of his oar to push the boat away from shore. “I’ll wait for an hour in the bay…In case you don’t like what ye find.”
My sister wraps her arms around her chest. “Why wouldn’t we like what we find?”
With a quiet, lopsided grin, the Scot rolls his shoulders and starts rowing back toLettie.
“You ready?” I ask Allie.
“No.” She digs her heels into the sand. “Dark Falls was broken, Jules. Celeste Draco watered down the curriculum so supernaturals wouldn’t study the most advanced spells. She schemed to boot mortals out and deliberately undermined the other professors to better controlus. Whatever happens, we can’t allow her to be in charge again.”
I gaze at the cliffs and imagine what Allie sees in them. “I have no issue with that analysis. Celeste is an A-class bitch.”
Her eyes widen, her blue gaze vulnerable and open. “Really? You married her son and you won’t defend her?”
“I’m not saying Fae areperfect. I love Cole, but he’s not alwaysright. In fact, the dynamics of his court are pretty fucked up. But Fae aren’t inherently bad as Dad taught us. We would all grow stronger by opening our minds a little.”
Tears fill Allie’s eyes. “Beth didn’t deserve to die. There’s so much guilt weighing on me, Jules. So many regrets. If only I’d compared notes with you, if only I hadn’t trusted Daniel so blindly…”
“Shh. Come here.” I wrap her up in my arms.
“All my life, I just wanted Piper tolikeme. I know she’s been nothing but horrible to you, but she’s my mother. I just got her back, Jules. If she dies…” A hiccup pops out of her mouth.
