Page 34 of Ace's Ascension

“It is.” That’s all I’m going to say on the subject. From the look on Ace’s face, I’ve really freaked him out; that wasn’t my intention. “What are you doing here?”

“Pawpaw called and told us you were back.” Her words implemented I’m here to stay.

“Just for Memaw’s death-ivesary. Once this is over, I’m heading back to Michigan with Ace.” I state.

“Well,” Mama adjusts her hat again. “We’ll see about that. Your father, brother and Aerik are excited to see you.”

Cold fear grips my spine and I stiffen at the mention of my brother and Aerik. Ace notices, of course, he does and he squeezes my hand, giving me support. Is this woman crazy? Is she so out of touch with reality? The last people I want to see are my brother and Aerik. Not after what they did to me.

I never told Ace about Aerik and I don’t know how he will take it. “Where is Dad?” I ask, keeping the subject off Tomas and Aerik.

“He stayed home with your brother. You know, the twin you abandoned.” The accusation in her voice is clear. She still doesn’t believe me when I pleaded with her after the accident that Tomas was responsible for it.

“Tomas is a grown adult, Mama.”

“Exactly, Elizabeth. A grown adult missing his twin.” She fakes pushing back tears. This woman really knows how to play her cards right. If I hadn’t told Ace about what had happened, he would have been siding with her right now. It’s happened before. “All he wants is what’s best for you, Elizabeth. When will you stop blaming him for your accident?”

Oh my God! If I could murder anyone and get away with it, she’d be at the top of my list! “I’m not blaming Tomas, Mama.” I return pointedly. I’m done with this conversation and really starting to hate the way she says my first name. No matter how many times growing up I’ve asked her to call me Liz or Rose and she refused. The way she can say Elizabeth makes me feel like a scolded child, not a grown adult.

“Of course, not dear. You just ignore your twin and don’t return his phone calls. Doesn’t matter the two of you shared a womb. He told us you had some issues,” she points to her head, “you were working on.”

A low growl erupts from Ace’s chest and he steps between my mother and me before I can say anything. Tears form in my eyes and I do my best to keep them back. She really knows how to hurt someone with her words.

“ENOUGH!” Ace bellows, making my mother jump. “I don’t know who you think you are, Mrs. LaRoux, but Liz does NOT NEED your accusations!” Ace is pissed off. His chest is rising and falling in rapid succession and his hands are shaking. “You’re done here. Please leave.” Duke opens the front door and Ace motions to it. “It’s not up for debate or discussion, Mrs. LaRoux. You said your peace, now leave.”

Ace crosses his arms over his massive chest, glaring at my mother. No one has ever talked to her this way and my heart soars with love. Ace is the first man to ever put my mother in her place and defend me. Everyone else is terrified of her.

I just hope she doesn’t try to place a hex on him.

“We will discuss this later, Elizabeth.” Mama huffs and storms out the door. It slams shut behind her and I breathe a sigh of relief.

“I’m so sorry about her. She has gotten worse since I left.” I apologize.

“Don’t ever apologize for that woman. She doesn’t deserve your kindness.” Ace rubs my shoulders and pulls my back against his chest. His warmth radiates into my skin, taking away the chill my mother left behind.

“That was intense.” Duke chuckles from the doorway. “Should we be worried about any kind of retaliation from that woman?”

“If I know my mother, she will wait until our defenses are down to come at me again. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m exhausted. Tex, Duke and Stone,” I stop talking and look for Stone. “Where did Stone go?”

“He’s doing his job to keep you safe. Don’t worry about him, Sweet Cheeks.” Ace kisses the side of my head.

“The three of you can use any room but the one in the back. That’s where Ace and I will be staying. Feel free to roam, sleep, eat, drink, shower, do whatever you need to do. We will be heading out at first light.” I pull Ace toward the back bedroom and open the door. When we step inside, I flop onto the queen size bed and stifle a yawn.

Ace chuckles before checking the lock on the door and the windows before placing our bags on the bed and securing the rest of the room. The room is simple. Made up of a queen size bed, dresser, two nightstands with lamps on top, a small closet and a small, attached bathroom.

I sit up a pull my bag between my spread legs. I open the middle part and pull out the stones my Memaw gave me. I place a few in front of the door and windows. Ace comes out of the bathroom as I’m finishing up and he raises an eyebrow.

“What are you doing?’

“I’m warding off the spirits of my mother and keeping us safe for the night,” I answer nonchalantly.

“Should the guys have the same thing?” Ace asks with concern in his dark eyes. No questioning my sanity or giving me reasons why this won’t work.

“Will they think it’s weird?” I ask hesitantly.

“Not at all. They’ve all seen some crazy ass shit and this doesn’t even reach the top. Come on, I’ll help you.” Ace opens the door to our room and I shiver from the cold blasting me in the face. Shit.

I hurry to the back door and place some stones on the floor in front of the door. I give Ace a handful and tell him to place them on the ledge of any window and on the floor next to any door that leads outside. He does this without question. The air starts turning warm and together, Ace and I complete the process toevery window and door littering the house. Duke, Tex and Stone watch but don’t say a word. Once we’re finished, I step into the middle of the small house and close my eyes. The coldness trying to seep in has disappeared and it’s quiet for the time being.

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