She jumped in her seat, a low groan leaving her as her head pounded. Suddenly all she could hear was that wailing wind. The yells of her furious mother. All she couldseewasher.
Was Lia lying in that coffin. Alone and Dead. Her lips pale and blue and–
“Ray?” Neera’s voice didnothing.
“Fuck.” Ray’s voice shook dangerously, her hands shaking, her shoulders aching. Her mind racing. And everything was nothing butLia, Lia, Lia.
“She deserves to go to JAIL–” his scream, “TO FUCKING DIE!”
Thwack.
Hands, so warm, so big on her shoulders, shook her once.
It was then Ray realized what she was seeing. It was Lia’s face in that coffin anymore.
It wasn’t her pale, dead lips.No, it was Ira.
And her eyes were wide open.
25
He thought she would scream. Hehopedshe would scream. But she just sucked in a harsh breath and opened her horrified eyes. Angel wasn’t expecting a blow from that bleak look in her eyes. But he was down on his knees beside her,knowinghow bad this was looking for him. But Raylene Walker had been looking like she was drowning, out ofnowhere.
He grit his teeth and rose to his feet, his hands dropping to her wrist to haul her up.
The way she moved so easily was beginning to scare him.
More than that dead look in her eyes.
“Ray,” he snapped, and those honey eyes shifted to his. He gulped the wave of fear that washed over him,reprimandedhimself over her, “I’m not going to sweet talk you out of this. Snap thefuckout of it.”
Ray blinked. Just once. And nodded. Just once.
Angel inhaled sharply just as Neera shot up from her seat, moving to Ray’s other side calmly and clasping her upper hand. He saw her haul Ray closer and whisper something in her ear.
He didn’t hear it, but he saw the flame surge in her expression as she stiffened. Neera’s words seemed to do the trick, because suddenly, Ray was back and was turning her head around as if looking for someone.
On cue, Ira rushed into the bustling restaurant, making a beeline for Ray without hesitation. Ray broke past Angel and Neera, grabbing Ira and pulling her to her chest in a frenzy.
Angel stumbled back with a frown, noting Ray’s harsh breathing as she wrapped her hands tightly around Ira’s tiny frame.
“Ray?” Ira’s soft voice was muffled on Ray’s shoulder, but she didn’t move. Just looked over Ray’s shoulder in Angel’s direction.
He frowned in response, so thoroughly confused that when Ray pulled away from Ira and swiped at her eyes hastily, he couldn't bring himself to move.
“Shit,” she muttered, “I’m sorry. Your hair went directly in my fucking eye.”
Ira’s entire posture lightened at those words, a relieved smile hitting her lips as she took a step back and Ray continued, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have touched you without your permission–ouch! The fuck?”
Angel blinked in surprise as Ray stumbled away from Ira, limping back against his shoulder as she clutched her shin and looked at Ira in surprise. The younger girl put her hands on her hips, jutting her chin out as she looked back at her,
“You said I’m a Walker now.” She said in a low voice, and Angel could feel Ray’s heart pound as her back touched his chest. Without thinking his hands landed on her upper arm, holding her steady as Ira’s words rendered her frozen, “Doesn’t that make us family?”
A choked sound left Ray’s throat, low enough for only him to hear. Angel grit his teeth, a sudden rush of agony rushing through his chest at this entire situation. Ray only seemed to press further against him, blissfully unaware,
“Yeah.” She said in a steady voice Angel didn’t believe for one second, “It does, kid.”
Ira scoffed, but he saw the sheen in her eyes. His eyes snapped up as he saw Christina enter the restaurant. Her ponytail swayed from end to end as she strode ahead, her eyes widening when she found their huddle in the bustling place. Angel shot her a rueful smile but didn’t step away from Ray when Christina ran to stand behind Ira, her brows scrunched in worry,
