Page 2 of Bonded Ever After

Okay, that’s something.“Were our moms friends?”

“Yes.”

Now, we’re getting somewhere.“Best friends?”

She hesitates. “Yes.”

I frown. “How is it that I don’t remember any of this?”

“Shock?” she offers with a shrug. “You changed a lot after your mom passed.”

“But your mom passed away in that fire too, and you remember,” I point out.

It’s silent between us for a long minute, and her expression is guarded. “Why are you asking about all of this? Aren’t some things better left in the past?”

How can anyone think that?

“No, I think it’s more dangerous to be operating without all the facts,” I say, then press on. “Did your mom leave anything behind for you? Anything that talked about why our moms would’ve been in that science building late at night in the first place?”

She looks uncomfortable. “No. Nothing.” Then, she gives me a funny look. “Are you sure you want to be looking into this? Anything involving the Council is usually better left alone.”

It’s weird. I get the feeling she knows more than she’s letting on. But how can she? She was just a child too when our moms died. There’s no reason to think she would have information that I don’t.

“Well, if you think of anything, you’re welcome to reach out.”

She nibbles her bottom lip, not making eye contact. “Where is this coming from anyway? The fire was a long time ago.”

A cold wind blows around us. “Like I said, I just started remembering some things from that time and wanted someone to help clear up my memories. I have so few with my mom, so they’re precious to me.”

She nods, but I get the sense she doesn’t believe me. “Well, I’ll let you know if I think of anything else.” For a minute, I have the feeling she wants to say more, but then she closes her mouth and looks away.

What is this girl hiding?

“So.” I glance around. “What are you doing out here anyway?”

Her entire body stiffens. “Just exploring. I like to come out here and camp and stuff.”

“Really? I thought Veric was the only one who did stuff like that.”

She blushes, which I wouldn’t have expected from her. “No, I enjoy it too.”

“Do you ever see Veric out here?”

She instantly shakes her head in a way that tells me she does see him out here.

“Ah, okay. Well, I better get back to my jog.”

I turn to go when, from out of the woods, Veric comes crashing between us, holding a map decorated in different colors, just like Ari’s. His eyes widen when he swings his gaze from me to Ari, and he instantly folds the map and puts it away. As I stare, his broad shoulders curl, like in doing so I won’t be able to see all six-foot-something of him.

Unable to help myself, I study him. He’s got dark, wavy hair, left too long, so that his green eyes peek out from beneath his heavy head of hair. He’s wearing jeans, a gray jacket, anda backpack similar to the one I own. Which is weird. No one needs that heavy of a backpack out here. But then again, he’s been known to disappear for long periods of time.Maybe he’s disappearing out here?

But why?

“Hello,” I greet him.

He doesn’t respond other than a nod. But then again, it shouldn’t be a surprise to me. He hasn’t spoken since the day his father was killed in the fire. It seems that while Ari was able to bounce back from what happened, Veric and I haven’t been as lucky.

“What are you doing out in these woods?”

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