Page 146 of Prodigal Son

“Is it not enough that you already have my mate?”

Adam shoved him and Cain reacted on instinct, clawing open Adam’s throat and lunging into a foray of snarls and bites. They slammed into the floor and rolled into the table, jostling the dishes and sending Gracie and Anna to their feet.

“Adam, don’t!” Anna yelled and they stilled. Panting and feral, Cain looked up at Annalise. Adam’s claws extended, prepared to swipe at Cain. “If you hurt him, you hurt me.”

Adam shoved Cain away and they both seethed.

“Tell her where you were,” Cain demanded.

“She knows, you fool.” Adam stood and brushed off his clothing. His shirt was stained with blood, but his throat had already healed. “Do you honestly think I would ever betray her like that? Betray you?”

Cain didn’t know what to think. “Then why? You have no business—”

“I went for you!” his brother snapped. “I was tired of watching you sulk and suffer. I wanted information.”

Cain’s anger shifted into fear and deep curiosity. “What kind of information?”

“Well first, she definitely has no recollection of us. But also, she’s not in a relationship. She might have told you she’s happy, but one night observing her with friends and I could see how lonely and wistful she truly is.”

Cain’s gut pinched with a sense of urgency. He didn’t want to think of her out there living a solitary life without reverie. “She said she was happy.”

“Content, perhaps, and very guarded. But a long way from what I’d consider happy.”

“Did you talk to her?”

“I did. Briefly. I think you need to go to her, Cain. Being here, you’re not just putting your life on hold, you’re wasting hers. If you truly want to know she’s happy, go make it so.”

Cain glanced at the scattered dishes, ashamed by his jealousy and rage. His mind and heart not ready to process all his brother just dropped on his shoulders. “I’ve spoiled supper.”

Gracie righted a toppled cup. “It’s just one meal, toad. It could be worse.”

“Yeah,” Anna agreed. “You could spoil your entire life. Why are you still here?”

He looked at them, unsure what they expected of him. “I don’t know what to do.”

“You talk to Eleazar and get permission to go to her.” Adam said. “I’ll keep my promise and watch over Cybil.”

“There’s more,” Gracie announced. “Cain, you might as well tell them.”

He sighed, experience teaching him not to get his hopes up. “Grace thinks there’s a chance Destiny might have immortal bloodlines.”

“What? Is that possible?” Anna looked to Adam who nodded.

“Anything is possible.” Adam faced their sister. “What makes you think that, Gracie?”

She explained about the stork bite birthmarks. Anna seemed the most encouraged by this information. “Cain, you have to go to her. Tell Eleazar about Gracie’s theory. He has to let you go. If she’s like us, she should be permitted to come back with you. Then you wouldn’t have to leave.”

“She has no memory of me. I can’t just kidnap her.”

Anna’s lips twisted and she shrugged. “It happens. Your brother kidnapped me. I got over it.”

“Or you could make her remember,” Gracie suggested. “The memories are still there, like I said. You just have to figure out how to uncover them.”

Cain dragged a hand over his hair and paced. “I need to speak to the bishop.”

His siblings agreed and pushed him out the door. He walked to the safe house in a blur of confusing thoughts and various assumptions. His stomach rippled with possibility, turning over until he felt nauseous. He was afraid to hope. Terrified he might get hurt again.

Eleazar was already in his office when Cain arrived. “I need to speak to you.”

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