“No—No, Xeraphine, I didn’t know. If I did, I would have told you.”
A laugh filters around the room; it’s the calling of a storm. A menacing one that would have children running to their parents, and the adults hiding under their beds as if they could escape the likes of Belial himself.
I take in a shaky breath, whispering with a painful edge, “You… told him about Kairhyse… didn’t you?”
“It wasn’t like he wouldn’t have found out.”
My stomach ties into knots.
“This conversation is cute.”
Ignoring the bastard, I shake my head at Tyson. “Did you know I was pregnant? That he was my Mark?”
When he turns his head away from me, the world spins. “Belial knew you were the moment it happened, and notified me once I got back to Sidence that I would need to take care of it.”
A whimper rolls from my throat.
“You could have just told me… the day you took me home from work…”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t know how to.”
“With words!” I bark out, my attitude only worsening as I continue. “It’s a good thing Zade took care of that littleproblemfor you.”
Another wash of shame floods him. “Yes… convenient.”
I hate the way he says that. “What do you mean?”
Sydni said he’d got to her quickly… was there for her when Daigo and Molly came for me…
“Did you have something to do with my scent being on Clay!?”
He turns his head away… in indignity. Oh my Gods— “You coward! You couldn’t do it yourself so you went to the people that buried me—that were?—”
“I didn’t know the Clektic were working for your mother, Xeraphine! I knew you’d survive, and I helped to get you back, didn’t I?”
“You didn't do SHIT but fuck me over!”
“This conversation is done!” It isn’t a request by the forcefulness of his tone. The boom actually rattles the books I’m still pressed against.
“I’m sorry, Xeraphine, but knowing my family is together…” He steps away and takes a deep breath. “Is everything to me. I’d do it all over again to make sure the outcome ended the same.”
Morals… it remains indifferent just like revenge. It couldn’t care less about the people it hurts, just as long as the outcome remains the same.
“Okay…” My lips slowly turn upward into a smile, but nothing about itis friendly. “Enjoy your eternal life here in the Beyond, Ty. If I ever make it down here, you better hope we don’t ever cross paths.”
I jerk my head off toward the leather chair that has yet to move, even an inch. The tears that had blanketed my eyes now sucked right back into my numbed body.
Fuck them. I don’t need him, or anyone. It’s just another reminder why I can only trust myself for eternity. I can’t lie, cheat, steal, or betrayme.
“Kairhyse.”
Never him either.
“Sydni.”
Okay, I fucking get it.Now that my Amoro has a godsdamn voice, it wants to remind me of shit I already know!
Stomping toward the leather office chair, I round it, ready to face this bastard finally.
