Page 88 of Envious Of Fire
Elias turns slightly, grimacing at Cade. “Would you, um … would you mind stepping out into the hall with Jer and Layna? I think my mom and I need some privacy.”
Her eyes still wide and affixed to the sudden gathering of birds, Cade smiles blankly and nods. “S-Say no more.” Then she turns to take Layna and Jeremy out. Suddenly she stops, her face twisting, and then she turns back. “Madame Rose, ma’am, if I might just add … I’m a mother, too. There’s nothing in this whole wide world I wouldn’t do to protect my child. Even if it means protecting herself … fromherself.” She gives the window a wary glance before continuing. “I don’t know what it is you’ve got that Elias wants, but I hope you find it in your heart to help us.” She nods again, gives one last glance at that bird-infested window, then puts her arm around Layna, heading off with a grimacing, silent Jeremy following behind. The doors shut after them.
The moment they leave, the birds begin to leave, too, one byone fluttering away from the window, until all that remains is the blank afternoon sky and warm sunlight.
With just Elias and his mother in the room, the air at once changes. “Vampires?” his mother finally says, shakes her head, crosses her arms tighter. “Are you out of your mind?”
“I’m more in it than I’ve ever been, actually.”
“Why would you risk saying something so … so ludicrous like that in front of these so-called friends of yours? Why would you mention our family vault?”
“Oh, we’re way beyond that point. The people of Nowhere have seen far more than they’ve cared to, probably more than I even know. And since I’m now an honorary citizen thanks to Kyle, I have to do my part. We’ve got vampire eyes on us … and who knows what else. Please. Let me into the vault.”
“Kyle …” Her voice changes. “Your boyfriend, you said?”
“He’s incredible. He’s sensitive and smart and strong. And a little reckless and stubborn, too,” he adds, smirking. Then he sighs. “And I think he’s in deep shit, Mom … really deep shit. I don’t have the time for this. If you want to be pissed at me for leaving, fine, but let’s have that conversation later.”
“The fact you’re here speaks volumes as to why you should never have left in the first place.”
Every chat with her lately is a minefield. “Of course, Mom. You were so much happier when I was living in my cozy spot beneath your thumb. Protected. Or crushed like a bug. Is there even a difference between the two with you?”
“Oh, stop it,” she says with a roll of her eyes, leaning back against the desk. “You were safe when you lived here. Safe from any and all threats. Now, one week later, you’re already back.”
“I’m utilizing my connections and privilege.”
“So now I’m not even your mother? I’m a ‘connection’?”
“I need what’s in the vault. You said it was our contingency plan.” Those words cause Rose to freeze at once, her eyebrowspinching together. “Yes, I heard you,” he says, softer. “I heard a lot of conversations. I was watching when you weren’t noticing. I saw records of the payments you gave that man, sending him off to do something … togetsomething.” Elias comes closer to her, whispers the words. “I know you. You wouldn’t go through all that trouble if it wasn’t something important. You have … You have leverage against them. A weapon. That’s what it is in the vault, I’d bet my left hand, it’s leverage. Just in case.”
Rose closes her eyes. Elias imagines she’s reciting a prayer for the first time in years. The woman has a masterful poker face—until it comes to her son. And right now, Elias is seeing all he needs to see to confirm that his suspicious were right.
“You’re working with them,” he says.
She opens her eyes, looks at him.
“They threatened you,” he goes on. “I figured it wasn’t the first time. Guess what? I got to meet the head guy. Kyle and I both did. Have you met him? Name’s Lord Markadian. Yeah, that includes the silly ‘Lord’ part. Do you know any of them by name? Are they listed in the contacts on your phone? Do you meet up and strike business deals at the twenty-four-hour café? Memorized how much blood they take in their coffee? If you’re not aware of them, well, they’re sure as fuck aware of you. Our names are even on a Protected Blood list. Cute, huh?”
Rose pushes away from the desk, as if unable to hear one more word. It seems to take everything in her not to shout. But in her usual fashion, whatever sensitive part of her that just unraveled at her son’s words quickly tightens back up.
She faces him. “I suggest you stop whatever thehellthis is,” she states, lips rigid, only her bottom row of teeth showing, dry and blinding white against her dark lipstick, “this mission of yours, this hero trip you’re on … and just go back home.”
“I thought this was my home.”
She turns, heads back to her desk chair, all ice, no feeling,and returns to her work, typing away.
Elias watches her for a while. He can’t seem to figure out whether she’s bluffing, serious, or scared. Did he strike a nerve? Should he not have named them? Most likely she’s reacting this way to prevent herself from becoming soft or emotional. She’s had to play the role of an iron fist for years. It’s all she knows, even when her instinct is to do nothing but love on her son. Elias is old enough to see that complexity now, even if the child inside him refuses to understand, feeling hurt and conflicted.
So Elias uses the one and only tool he has left. “Dad … he would have done something about them.”
Her typing stops.
“He … H-He would have spat in their faces,” he goes on. “Laughed at their threats. Made suretheyknewheheld just as much power. I may not have known much until recently, but I can see it now … all the clues and little signs … The vampires, they handed you a leash, and you put it around your own neck.”
“Stop.”
“And you expect me to wear one, too.”
“I said stop.”
