Page 28 of Unmasked Prophecy
Silence as they consider my words, the weight of it pressing down on me. I’m giving them everything. I’m trusting them with everything.
“Then we follow her,” Kael throws in. “We pick the right moment, and we make our move.”
“I’m the only one she will listen to,” I say. “If one of you approaches her, she will run. I have to be the one to do it.”
“Fuck,” Talon growls.
“We’ll keep eyes on her, Steel,” Wolfe tells him.
“Only choice we got,” Kael nods sharply in Talon’s direction.
Talon nods.
We all agree.
I’m going to be the one to do it.
The tension breaks, and the room fills with a new kind of energy. Plans are laid out, details hashed out, and my head spins with the rapid, chaotic movement of it all. I can’t keep up, but I don’t need to. They know what they’re doing, and I have to trust in that.
Kael and Zane argue over the best way to tail Miriam, their voices rising and falling. Knox smokes silently, but his eyes are sharp, missing nothing. Wolfe gives orders, his presence commanding, and I find it all incredibly impressive.
The way they work together is effortless and confronting.
They might not be the kind of family I’m used to, but they’re loyal to each other in a way I’ve never seen.
I hope one day I can have that same loyalty in my life.
SOMETIME LATER THATday, I fall asleep after planning with the guys what we are going to do Friday. When I wake, I’m coated in sweat and my body aches. Is this from the alcohol and drugs the night before? I feel horrible. My head spins, and when I sit up, it’s like the room tilts. I swallow, trying to push the nausea back down, but it claws its way up my throat.
I grab my clothes and pull them on, moving slowly, the effort making my limbs tremble. My heart hammers, drowning out allother noise. Is this some sort of delayed hangover? Or maybe I’m just emotionally exhausted. I have no idea, but I know who can help.
Mera.
I am working at the bar with her tonight, so I know she’ll already be there after her lunch shift. I’m right—I find her wiping glasses behind the bar, her hair in a messy bun, too-big sweatshirt hanging off one shoulder.
She looks up when I enter, and her eyes widen. “Girl, what the hell, you look like shit.”
“Thanks,” I mutter, sinking into a chair. “I feel like it.”
“What’s up?”
I press my fingers to my temples. “I don’t know. My body is aching, and I feel like I’m going to vomit. Is this from alcohol?”
“I doubt it. It’s a bit too late, though I can’t be sure.”
Mera sets the glass down and moves to the cabinet, pulling out a small bottle. She shakes out two pills, handing them to me. “Here. These will help. You had much water?”
I shake my head, swallowing the pills. “I think I’m just overwhelmed. Things happened last night with Talon. Ugh, I don’t know.”
“Okay, well, I need to hear about this,” she says, holding out a hand. “I have an idea. Have you ever had a girls’ day?”
I stare at her, and she laughs. “Guessing that’s a no. Well, you’re in for a treat. Let’s go.”
I don’t argue. I let her pull me to my feet and lead me to her room. It’s a mess—a colorful, chaotic mess. Clothes are thrown over the back of a chair, magazines are stacked high, and there’s a big, fluffy blanket on the bed. I sink into it, letting the softness surround me. It’s comforting, and I can feel some of the tension leaving my body.
“Don’t you stay in Wolfe’s room?” I ask, watching as she moves around the room, picking up things.
“Most of the time, I do. I like my own space, too.”
