Page 97 of King of Knights

“Okay, hand her over and watch.”

I frown and hand Avionne over. “Thank you. I’m trying to get through all of this before Kendrick is done with his meeting.”

I smile at Bay. She takes her and leaves out of the office. I then turn my attention back to the books before me.

“Well, shit,” I think to Venus as Avionne returns to my arms.

“I want to be with you,”Avionne communicates to me as I place my finger into her tiny palm.

“Wow, you can turn back time?” I say to her in awe.

She giggles in my head and blinks up at me. Bay stands from the seat she’s in to repeat the same thing we’ve done for I don’t know how long.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll change her. Thank you,” I say.

“Peewee,” Lee Ann says as she enters the room. “Give me that baby. I’ll change her. Don’t make no sense. Who gets that wrapped up in work?”

“I was just about to send for you. Bay was going to change her for me, but Avionne has been looping time.”

“What do you mean?”

“She doesn’t want to leave me, so every time I hand her to Bay, she turns back time to get back into my arms. It was likeGround Hog Dayin here,” I say.

“So she can speak to you in your thoughts, she glows like a little glowworm, and she can play with time? Ray, this baby is more than a gift. She’s an intention.

“I wouldn’t give her to anyone you can’t sincerely trust. Look, I can’t explain what I’m thinking right now. I have to go. I only came to let you know I’m leaving with Reilly.”

“What? To go where?”

“The west gate. It’s the gate to the vampire realm.”

“Why are you going there?”

“Reilly has something he needs to do there. I’m not sure how long it will take. Ray, promise me you’ll keep studying and training.”

My heart breaks. I just got my sisters back, but they’re all leaving me. Taylor has been out with Bradan, hunting Seraphina and his stone.

When they do come back to the clubhouse, I don’t really get to spend time with Taylor. I only speak to Billy when she has time to call and check in. Now Lee Ann is leaving too.

A panic attack begins to rise. I’m thrown back in time. All at once, I’m alone in that house again, trapped with no friends, no mom, no one.

“Ray?” Lee Ann says with concern in her voice.

“Ray, calm down. You’re not alone. I’m here, you have Avionne and Kendrick is always here for you,”Venus says.

Right as she says those words, Kendrick appears. He rushes to me and lifts me, taking my seat as he tugs me and Avionne onto his lap. He kisses my temple and murmurs words of love and affection.

“I have her. You go on and go with Reilly. It’s time to leave,” he says to Lee Ann as she looks at me with concern.

I can tell she’s hesitant to leave. For a moment, I don’t think she will. She glances at the door then back at me.

“Will she be okay?”

“Yes, I will take care of her. As soon as you all return, it’ll be time for the bonding ceremony. You all should be able to link to one another as well as the community,” he replies. “That way, in your absence, you will always be linked.”

“Yes, that would be best. I will be in touch as soon as I can,” she says before she takes off.

Kendrick palms the side of my face and turns it so I’m looking up into his eyes. Tears blur my vision. I hadn’t thought about how lonely I had been with my dad in months.

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