Page 99 of Haze

The lava sinks, cooling into a rock, anchoring me to Finn. My fingers grip his shirt.

“Why do you think we pushed for you and Deacon to come home?” Uncle Elliot asks before scolding, “When Cade abdicated, we told you both to come live with us.”

You offered once, I answer him in my thoughts.

“No. You offered. Once.” Ezra voices for me.

Why did Dinah think knowing would make it better? My emotions are all over the place. The lava melts and rolls back to a boil. I hate this. I don’t know how to live with this inside me.

“Lena. I can see how mad you are.” Aunt Alora’s footsteps come closer.

Finn snarls. It starts low in his belly, rattles up his chest, and out his mouth.

Like yesterday, the lava pushes me. But it’s not to wolf form.

Gritting my teeth, I spin in Finn’s arms. He keeps his hand tucked around my waist.

If we have to do this, then I’m getting all the answers today.

“Where did Deacon come from?” It’s a fierce snarl and feels so much more intimidating.

Movement in my peripheral vision catches my attention. Cade steps in front of Thalia.

“We don’t know,” Uncle Elliot answers. “He was days old when they announced his birth. They hadn’t come to visit for a while, saying Karina had been unwell. There was no reason for us to believe Deacon wasn’t their son.”

I turn to look at Ezra. He nods, confirming what they’re saying is true.

“We never wanted you to be hurt.” Aunt Alora’s voice cracks. “I thought I was doing the right thing.”

Ezra’s small nod hurts. Good intentions pave the way to hell. I was the one to pay the price of the damn road.

Dinah’s silence is telling. If I were in her place, I would feel thankful it wasn’t me too. I can’t stay here. Not with the weight of all this crushing me.

“What was my name?” I don’t know where the question comes from. Why does it matter? “There’s no way you’d pick Ezra, Judah, Dinah, and Kathleen.”

“Delilah Kathleen,” Uncle Elliot answers.

I hear Aunt Alora sniffle, and it’s more than I can take.

Chapter 32

Finn

Lena picks up two pieces of bacon off the counter and makes a beeline toward the glass doors leading out to the deck.

She opens the glass door as the first of Revecca’s guards descends the stairs. Revecca arrives on the ground floor shortly after. Before the silence of Lena’s departure can be broken, I make eye contact with Patrick and then flick my eyes to Revecca.

He sighs but gives a sharp nod.

Long legs come in as I walk quickly and wrap my hand around Revecca’s wrist when I reach her. The she-devil fights briefly before letting me drag her out of the house. Her three other guards hurriedly move behind me, but Patrick tells them to stand down.

“Griffin O’Brien, you let me go,” Revecca snaps as I close the door behind us.

I turn her to look at me. She lifts her eyes to meet mine, and then I look down the deck stairs to where Lena’s descended and is sitting in a lawn chair. She’s facing the fire ring, curled up and wrapped around herself.

“Oh.” Revecca’s voice falls flat.

I let go of her wrist and nod toward Lena.

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