“So,” I started, and we both chuckled as we began to walk. “This is crazy.”
“You can say that again. Gods, CJ. That day destroyed me. To lose my entire family like that? After such a perfect day? As a ten-year-old, I thought the sun would never rise again,” he said, emotion heavy in his tone.
“I know. I fucking know, Hunt. I've spent the past fifteen years reliving that day. I hid, man. When I was swimming for the docks, I saw the fire. Just as I was about to hop back onto the pier, I saw the people launching more fire at the cabin, and I fucking froze. Like a coward. I'm so fucking sorry, Hunter,” I croaked, not hiding the tears forming in my eyes. “I can't tell you how many times I’ve whispered to you, to Mom, to Mama B. In my dreams, in my nightmares—always begging for forgiveness, wishing I could have saved you.”
Hunter threw his arm out to halt us, turning to face me. “Jesus, Cam. That was not your fault. You were a kid, just like me. What could you have done? The outcome would've been the same.”
“But maybe I could've found you and we would've been together,” I argued.
He shook his head. “No. I highly doubt that. I've started to believe that everything happens for a reason. We're exactly where we're supposed to be. Who knows what paths we would've taken in different circumstances.”
“What happened, Hunt? Did those people hurt you?” I asked, afraid to know the answer. Hearing of his heartbreak and sadness as a child, and knowing there was nothing I could do to fix it was already shredding my heart to ribbons.
“Not really. I mean, it's pretty much all I've known now, though I have my happy memories of us from before the fire. The people who burned the cabin down must have tried to take me. I was intercepted before I got through the door, but I don't know what happened next. I must have blacked out or repressed the memories, because the next thing I knew I woke up in a facility. Bits and pieces of the fire came back, and I was a fucking wreck. A woman came in and explained that I was safe at Montague Industries, that all of my family was gone and that I could stay there for as long as I wanted.
“Honestly, I don't remember the first several months there. They were pretty kind and attentive. I had food, clothes, and freedom within the facility. There were other kids there, but I didn't come out of my shell until I met Palmer. She's my best friend to this day. We just clicked; I think I clung to her because I felt kinda lost, and she'd already been there for so long. She showed me the positive side—we got to play, go to school, learn about magic and all kinds of cool shit. What's not to love when you don’t have anything else?”
I held up a hand. “Hunter... I met Palmer. That's how I found out you were alive.”
“What?” he questioned, shocked. “But, how? I mean, what are the odds?”
“There's a lot going on here, and it's a long story that I want to tell you, but it's going to take hours. The bottom line is, for now, it sounds like Montague was grooming you. And Palmer. And all of those kids that they’ve stolen over the years,” I gritted out.
“Stolen? Oh, no, Cam. That's not what happened. Those arsonists were apprehended by Montague—that's how I ended up in their custody. They saved me. And the other kids, too. I don't know who's behind all of this, but it isn't Montague.”
I shook my head, taking a deep breath. He was brainwashed; of course he would be. It was typical, and something we’d learned about in our first semester at the academy. Interrogation techniques, sensory deprivation, all sorts of mind manipulation tactics. It was like creating sleeper agents from children. That shit did happen in real life, and it seemed like Montague may have perfected the task.
“Kai, Sloane, and I were taken by a woman named Laurie. Saige, my girl, is her daughter. This was after she killed Fischer,” I said, holding up a hand again as he started to interrupt me. “That's why there are now two Fischers. Saige is half demon and half green witch and was somehow able to pull life from the earth to restore him. In doing that, something caused him to split. Anyway, back to the actual point. When we were with Laurie, we had our memories erased and were taken to a castle owned by Asrael.”
Hunter's eyes widened comically. “You've been to The Castle?”
“The one by the sea? Yeah. We've been there. And guess what's in the basement? Files and files full of information on kids, Hunt. Kai saw it with his own eyes. Montague just set fire to Saige's best friend's house and now Miranda's daughter, Annie, is missing. Coincidentally, Kai also saw a file at the castle on Annie before that even happened. He also overheard Asrael and one of his fuckboys talking about it. I wouldn't lie to you, brother. Ever. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you,” I vowed.
Reaching out, I pulled him against me and hugged him. He was rigid at first, and I felt a pang of sympathy for what he must be going through right now. Everything he'd thought was the truth for the majority of his life was a lie.
“And Palmer? Does she know?” he asked quietly.
“I have no idea, brother. You know the woman better than I do. What's your gut telling you?”
He stepped back and looked me in the eye. “She wouldn't lie to me about something like that.”
“Then there you have it. Always go with your gut,” I replied. “Maybe give her a call later? See what she says?”
“I would, but she's undercover and unreachable for the time being. I'm not even sure where she is exactly. I know it was something personal to her, though. She's been training for this one for years, by the sounds of it. My questions can wait.” He sighed heavily.
“Just friends?” I inquired, studying his face. They'd been friends for a long time and he clearly cared for her. Not that a man couldn't have a friend who was a woman, but I was damned curious.
His eyes snapped to mine. “Yeah. Just friends. It's not like that between us.” He reinforced the statement by giving my shoulder a shove, and I held my hands up in surrender.
“Okay, okay. I had to ask.” I chuckled, and he grinned. My heart swelled. Fuck, this really was a dream come true for me. Underneath the blinding shock of being reunited, I hoped Hunter might be feeling the same.
“Well then. Since you openedthatbox…” He paused, and I already knew what was coming, with the way his voice was full of curiosity. “You're sharing a woman with your friends?”
I didn’t detect any hint of judgment, but I wanted to be clear about my relationship from the beginning. “First of all...” I saw Hunter tense at the tone of my voice. It had come out more forceful than I’d intended, so I took a deep breath, softening my gruffness to a more acceptable rumble. “They're my family. I love those guys. And I love that little witch in there more than life itself. I can't explain it, Hunt. She is everything I never thought I'd need. Caring, loving, hilarious. She's got the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. We belong together. All of us,” I added, to emphasize the fact that I was basically in some kind of relationship with all six of the people in our circle.
“Lucky bastards,” he muttered as we began walking again. “Does she perhaps have a sister? Maybe an identical one?” He winked at me, and I shoved his shoulder.
“I know we just reunited, and you're bigger than you used to be, but I will fight you,” I teased, and Hunter barked a laugh.
