Page 50 of Deja New
“You hush up.”It is weird and wonderful that I’m going to be this woman’s cousin-in-law. That we’re talking like regular people! Which I am, but she is not! Argh, stop fangirling, you’ve already been busted for that once today.
She took a breath and finished, “But the day we got back from ICC, I got to talking with Jack and I thought—”
“You thought damned if the next generation is going to grow up like this.”
“Yes. Exactly. But another way to look at it is: I saw the cage door start to ease open and I wastednotime slamming it shut again. And I’m fine with that.” Well. “Fine” wasn’t the right word, but she knew Leah would get it. “But my choices don’t have to be yours, just like Archer’s weren’t mine. Whatever you’re wondering, whatever’s on your mind, whatever decision you’re trying to make, I don’t think Uncle Dennis should factor in. And he’d be the first to tell you that.”
“Well.” Leah was studying her the way you’d look at a book you weren’t sure you’d like, only to find it was growing on you.Or maybe I’m just projecting all over the place.“I’m no stranger to family drama, that’s for certain. But even if you won’t take good advice, you certainly give it.”
“‘Family drama.’ Yeah, that’s one way to put it.” Angela shook her head. “I can’t imagine. I can’t imagine what fighting your mother’s killer was like. What? Don’t you think it’s strange thatnobody’s talking about this? Well, not strange so much as courteous—I kind of threatened the Horde with dismemberment if they brought it up. But it’s just you and me now. And I don’t like elephants.”
“If you want to ask, then ask.”
“I don’t need the gory details. I’m just trying to wrap my head around having to kill someone to save your own life. Most people know about it but not someone who’s done it.”
Leah waved her hand in a faux casual gesture. “Oh, it was mostly terrifying with a dash of horrifying. I wish I could have saved my mom, though. Even after everything she did. You know how people say ‘I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy’? Well, shewasmy worst enemy. And I wouldn’t have wished that on her. He sliced her up like a trout. And don’t take this the wrong way, either.” Then she stood, bent sharply at the waist, and threw up in Angela’s recycle bin.
