Page 19 of From the Shadows
Shay’s armor was forged in adversity. His toughness was earned, as was Diego’s team. Through trial and combat. While Shay might not be a warrior, neither was he one to shy away when the going got tough.
“Any of us would stand with you during a fight, Shay. Even Jeremy would be by your side. We’re trying to keep him away from our life, because it’s hard and lonely, and we want so much more for him. I’m understanding now why Empatia hired you. When we come home from a job, Jeremy sees the aftereffects. The blood, the bruises, the broken bones. He thinks it’s all cool, even when we try to impress on him it’s not. Empatia thinks you’ll bring sorely needed light to Jerm’s life to counteract that crap we drag home with us.”
Diego found he’d prefer to keep Shay out of their world too. He’d had enough trauma in his life, so why add more? He wondered briefly if Empatia could find Shay and Jeremy a home somewhere, but dismissed that as quickly. He wasn’t kidding when he told Jerm he loved him. The kid had kept Diego sane since he’d come to live with them, and that was no mean feat.
“I appreciate that. Doubt it’s going to be necessary, though.” He stood. “I have to go get lunch started.”
“Oh? What are you making?”
“Well, Martin and Borne are out, so I was going to make some burgers and serve them with macaroni and cheese. It’s one of Jeremy’s favorites.”
Diego sucked in a quick breath. In one afternoon, Shay had helped Diego above and beyond what he got paid for. Maybe it wastime for Diego to step up and show his appreciation. “What time should I be there?”
That seemed to stun Shay, who stood there blinking, his mouth agape. “You’d come down for lunch?”
“I would. It sounds delicious.”
“You don’t have to, you know.”
Diego knew that, but…. “I do. I’m supposed to be the leader of this team, and it’s time I started acting like it.” He smiled at Shay. “Besides, someone has given me a new lease on life, helped to quell centuries worth of hunger, and has asked for nothing in return. I think I owe him a lot more than eating his cooking.”
The corner of Shay’s mouth curled up. “I like the new and improved Diego.”
“This isn’t the new and improved. More like the original recipe. Before I was a soldier, I had friends. We’d head down to the beach, cook for the group, and then after we stuffed ourselves, we’d strip off our clothes and run in the waves. I can still recall it, even though I can’t remember their names or faces.” He gave a rueful chuckle. “I’ve known hundreds of people over the years, and it’s not easy to keep their faces in my mind. Around 1816, after the invention of the camera, I started taking photographs to remind me when I’m feeling nostalgic.”
“I’d love to see them,” Shay said, his tone telling Diego he wasn’t just saying it.
“Maybe we can arrange that.”
“Did you ever know any humans after you changed?”
Diego shook his head. “I stayed as far away as possible. Even when someone came into the house to do repairs or something we couldn’t handle, I hid away.”
“Can I say something? It might annoy you.”
Anything Shay had to say, he’d earned the right to. Plus, Diego was a big boy, and he could handle criticism. “Anything you want.”
“I think you should tell everyone. No one here is going to think less of you.”
That wasn’t true. “Jeremy would.”
“This is his world too. If it wasn’t for you, he’d probably be a lotmore like his mother was. According to everything I’ve read, snake shifters aren’t usually warm and cuddly. Jeremy is. I think that’s because of everyone here looking out for him. You especially.”
He had a point. Jeremy flourished, sought out hugs, and hated to be alone, preferring instead to spend time with his family.
“He knows I killed his mother.”
“Yeah, he told me.” Diego was about to say something, but Shay pressed ahead. “He said it didn’t matter to him. He talked about life here and how everyone treated him, especially you. You’re all his true family.”
Diego shook his head. “Is there anything he hasn’t shared with you? It’s only been about a month, and he’s already more open with you than most of us.”
“That’s because I’m here all day with him. Can I ask, why doesn’t he go to school?”
“He can’t control his shift yet. If he gets stressed or upset enough, he’ll change, and most people aren’t ready to deal with all this. At least not now.”
“That makes sense. Is there anything I can do to help him?”
How strange was the flush of joy that slid through Diego? After everything he’d done, how he treated Shay, the guy was still willing to step up for them. “Yeah, actually. He has books on snakes. Every couple of days, pick one and tell him to shift into it. Make sure the two of you read the description of the snake together, so he has all the information to get it right.”
