Page 32 of Broken Truths

Leo checks the doorknob after her like she’s too stupid to open a door by herself, and I roll my eyes. He frowns. “Does he usually lock this?”

“Sometimes,” she says.

She runs upstairs while the three of us wait downstairs. She comes back within a few minutes, her lips in a straight line. “I guess they did go somewhere without telling me. Or they’re both out.”

“We could wait here,” I suggest.

“Let’s check the garage,” Leo offers. “Then we’ll know for sure if they’re both out.”

We follow Eden past the kitchen and through the door to the garage that opens easily. “Huh. Dad’s car is here.” She stands straight. “You know, the front door wasn’t locked.”

Alaric and Leo share a look.

“They would’ve locked the door unless one of them was here.”

“Maybe he’s out back?” I suggest, trying to toss out ideas. “Went for a walk?”

She digs her phone out of her pocket and presses the screen a couple of times before holding it to her ear.

Leo’s jaw feathers. “Maybe you should check for him outside.”

“Good idea,” Alaric agrees.

I don’t like the look these two are giving each other. They’re starting to glance around, and I’m so close to saying something until we hear it—a phone ringing somewhere in the house.

Eden’s jaw drops. “My dad’s phone is here. That’s me calling.”

She strides through the house, following the ringing until we’re outside her father’s office again. It’s definitely coming from in there.

She knocks on the door again. “Dad! Open up!” She jiggles the doorknob, then steps back to kick the door, leaving a black mark on the white wood. “Dad!”

“Whoa, it’s okay,” I say to her, wrapping her in my arms.

She struggles. “Why isn’t he opening the door? Open the fucking door!” she screams.

“Deep breaths,” I soothe in her ear. “In… Out.”

“I don’t need deep breaths. I need someone to open this fucking door.”

“Okay,” I say. “Who can pick a lock?”

Leo lets out a sigh. “Watch out.”

Alaric steps in the way. “Maybe Eden should go outside.”

“Are you serious right now?” she asks, half out of her mind.

“Just move,” Leo says. Reluctantly, Alaric steps out of the way. Like the ape he is, Leo kicks the door, and it splinters near the handle and careens against the wall, bouncing back.

Eden slithers out of my grip before I can see anything. The sound of her voice cracking on a sob nearly stops my heart.

There, slumped over his desk, is Alistair Astor.

Eden darts for her dad, but Leo grabs her around the waist, picks her up, and deposits her back in my arms. “Don’t let her get closer,” he says.

“Why?” she wails.

Alaric steps into her view. “Look at me. Look at me right now.”

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