Page 25 of Broken Shadows

I glance sideways at Rosa. “Why?”

“So you can build the portal. We need their help, Evie. Let’s get inside and I’ll fill you in, but first… here.” Rosa reaches into her bag and pulls out a lighter and pack of cigarettes, handing me one. She’s taking all of this far better than Aiden. Perhaps it’s because she’s a witch too. Even if she doesn’t know it. Rosa, fuck, all of us need to take advantage of every strength we possess and hone it.

The first inhale of nicotine rushes straight to my head. I close my eyes, my lips curving as I relish the feeling. I have missed smoking.

Rosa returns the lighter to her purse. “Swiped them from Asher,” she explains. “Thought you might want one when we rescued you. Although, it turns out you didn’t need rescuing.”

“Neither did you.”

Aiden places a hand over his heart, looking far too pleased with himself. “Nor did I.”

Rosa looks at him with incredulity but doesn’t rebuke him.

I swallow. “Rosa?”

“Hm?” she hums.

“Before we go in there… I need to tell you something. Look, there is no easy way to say this,” I inhale, then sprint through the rest of the words, “but… you’re a witch.”

I brace for her reaction, but it doesn’t come. However, Aiden’s hands fly to his cheeks so fast he slaps himself. “Rosa is a witch too!? That’s…” He gapes, then closes his mouth. “Fantubular! Wait… Hey, how come everyone has cool powers and shit but me?”

Rosa and I glance at him, ignoring his word choice, or Aidenism as I like to call them, then I shrug and turn my attention back to Rosa.

“Are you okay?”

A gorgeous smile warms her softening expression. “Definitely.” She laughs and arches her brows while planting one hand on her hip and speaks with the other. “You already told me. Multiple times actually and, before you tell me, I already know it’s a different kind of magic to what your coven practice.”

“The fuck? When?”

She shrugs. “Remember when you told meyouwere a witch? You also mentioned my witchy-ness, many times, when you were drinking while on benzos. And before you ask, I never said anything because I’ve been waiting to start practicing my magic until you harnessed your own,” Rosa pauses and bumps she shoulder into me, “like I fucking knew you would. But then everything went to Hell in edible panties, and… you know the rest.” She pulls me into an embrace. “Also, if I haven’t said it yet, I’m so damn proud of you for getting clean, Evie.”

“Thank you.” Moisture wells along my lower lashes and I allow one solitary tear to fall while my best friend holds me. When I blink the rest away, we resume walking to the manor.

“Always, girl,” Rosa proclaims, then her gaze heats the side of my face. “He deserved it, Evie.”

I blink twice. “Who?”

“Edward.”

I swallow hard against the lump forming in my throat. She always knows what’s playing on my mind.Always.

“I know, and I don’t regret it,” I admit.

Aiden’s eyes expand. “You and Lorcan really are meant for each other,” he says and walks alongside us to the door. “Mr. and Mrs. Psychopath,” he adds under his breath. Aiden forces a teasing smile, but I can’t be sure if it’s because he’s afraid of me or if he’s actually joking. Except, he can’t erase the horror in his bright blue eyes.

Rosa comes to my defense before I can form the words. “You should be glad she killed him. Edward was an abusive piece of shit who tortured Evie for years when she was just achild. He kidnapped us and would have killed us if given the chance. He used his religion as an excuse to live out his sadistic fantasies.”

Aiden’s light brows knit together, his lips curving into a frown. “I’m sorry, but…” He pauses, wincing at the memory. “Did you really have to cut off his cock though?”

I suck in a final drag of my cigarette, and it goes to my head. The sizzle burns my fingertips, and I throw it into the snow. “Yes. He’d also touch me as a kid, then punish me for his arousal.” My teeth clench so tight I’m surprised they don’t shatter. “He did it again at The Order headquarters. He was sick and twisted and I get that what I did looked severe. Perhaps in a perfect world I should have handed him over to the authorities, but people like him get away with everything. Not to mention he was murdering innocent people when I was trapped there, just to try and get me to unlock my magic.”

Aiden nods, then slides his hand over the back of his neck. “Yikes. What a dick.”

Rosa links her arm with mine when we reach the doors and Gomez snuggles me tighter. The warmth of his body against my neck is like a miniature blanket against the cold.

I stare at the serpentine, metal knocker on the arched wooden doors, reminding me of when I’d first come here with Lorcan. It was easier then. Although my life had been turned upside down, I somehow felt safe next to him, because even though he was a demon, he wasmy demon.What’s the saying?Better the devil you know.

I guess I have no choice but to go inside, but even from here I can feel his presence. He’s in there, waiting behind the mirrors for us to enter, and I’ve never felt more nervous.

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