Page 31 of The Stone Survival
“Hey,” he says. “Can’t sleep?”
I make a noncommittal sound, and he joins me at the window. “It’s been a crazy couple of days, hasn’t it?”
I nod.
He sighs. “Look, I don’t know what my father did to your parents. I’m not sure how involved he is in all the shit that’s going down, but I need you to know that I’ll do whatever it takes to protect the people and to keep Cameron safe.”
What do I say? I’m not sure. But it doesn’t matter because he keeps talking.
“I’m not in love with her anymore, but I’ll always love her and want the best for her. I’m glad you’re back. I’m glad she didn’t lose her mate, and I’m also glad that I might get a chance to know you…”
Is he expecting me to say something? When I don’t, he continues anyway.
“We’re family. I’d like to explore that, if you’re up for it.”
I can feel him staring at me, his gaze hot on the side of my face. I won’t get away with silence this time. Family is good. Family is…strength. I answer him as I would answer my kin. “I agree. We are family.”
He exhales heavily. “Great.”
I nod and move away from the window. I can feel the host consciousness stirring. I must get back to his room.
“Sleep well,” Levi calls after me.
But I’m already out of the door.
I succeed in climbing back into bed before my grip on my host slips and regret takes me back into darkness.
Soon. I will have him soon.
CHAPTER 15
SELAS
Ialways wondered why these guest quarters had bars on the window. Now I know. This room is a holding cell, a comfortable, cushy one, but a prison regardless.
I could break the bars if I could shift, but the cuff on my wrist mutes that ability. It’s technology that’s new to me. But it makes sense that it exists. Goyles are powerful beings, and where there is power, there will always be someone who strives to harness and control it.
I can’t shift. I can’t fly. The bars are an unnecessary precaution because with my leg still healing, I can’t run either.
“Please talk to me, sweetheart,” Father pleads.
Why is he still here? I don’t want him here.
“Look at me, Selas. Please.”
But I can’t. I can’t look at his traitorous face without wanting to tear it off. Instead, I focus on the thick iron bars on the only window of my comfortable prison.
“I did what any father would,” he says. “They say they can fix you. Your sight…you can have it back and?—”
“You’re a traitor.” There’s no heat in my words. Just a weary resignation because we’ve had this chat over and over as he tries to convince me to see things his way. But I’ll never condone his actions. “You actively worked with the enemy to eliminate ouronlyhope against ourbiggestthreat.”
“I did it for you.”
And this is the part that makes no sense to me. He knows I’ve adjusted. That I’ve made peace with my disability, embraced it even. This is about more than my sight. “What do they have on you? Tell me.” I finally turn my head in his direction, taking in his shadowy form and the tumultuous aura surrounding it. Guilt, grief, and…fear.
He lets out a ragged sigh. “Everything…” he says finally. “This…all this. My station, our wealth…it’s all built on the back of one favor.”
“Who are they?”
