A short ride later, the elevator dings again and I step out onto our floor. Within a couple of days, I can already pick out our door without even realizing it; it’s that natural. The second on the left, marked by a stain of who-knows-what.
I let myself in.
“You’re back.” Callie lets out a sigh of relief. “Ash, she’s back.”
My dad was in the bedroom. The door swings inward as soon as Callie calls for him. He strides down the hall, meeting us in the living room. His golden eyes are bright, almost glowing as he looks from my mom to me and back, purposely avoiding Nine.
He waves for us to take a seat.
Callie does. I haven’t quite shaken the last of my wariness from my encounter downstairs and I decline with a quick shake of my head.
It’s obvious they’ve been waiting for me. Just like I thought.
Great.
“I trust you enjoyed your walk this morning.”
“Yeah. I guess.” I he
ft up my arm. There’s a plastic bag hanging off the crook of my elbow. “I got you guys some bagels. I didn’t know if you liked cream cheese or butter so I got both.”
“Thanks, sweetie,” murmurs Callie. “That was very thoughtful of you.”
Thoughtful, nothing. So long as I have the money to get us food, I’m going to use it. We have to eat.
Ash doesn’t say ‘thanks’. I doubt I would’ve noticed normally, but it’s just another reminder of that guy outside.
I shimmy the bag down my arm, setting it on the coffee table. It’s right-side-up now. Glancing around, I see that the room is looking a lot neater than it has been. I guess, since Ash is doing better, my parents have started to straighten up the mess.
I would have, except the first morning I tried, I caught Callie sniffling again and I immediately stopped.
I made a conscious decision not to point that out then, just like I do now.
“You guys ready to eat?” I ask. “Or should we wait?”
“Let’s wait a moment,” Ash says. He cocks his head slightly. “Will it keep?”
I shrug. “Don’t see why not.”
“That’s fine, then. My mate and I have something we would like to discuss with you.”
The last time he wanted to have a serious conversation, Ash tried to tell me that I wasn’t allowed to be Nine’s mate. I can’t wait to see where this one goes.
“Sure. What’s up?”
He looks over at Callie. She nods encouragingly back.
“I’ve accepted that you have some kind of bond with the Dark Fae. There’s nothing I can do about that now, no way I can change what’s happened. You say you love him. Do you love him enough to do whatever it takes to break Melisandre’s spell?”
My heart nearly stops. I was halfway to arguing with Ash when he first mentioned reversing my claim to Nine—or his claim to me—and I’m glad I kept my mouth shut.
I swallow roughly and tell him honestly, “I would do anything.”
“Then there’s a way—”
That’s all I need to hear.
“Okay. Let’s do it. What do I have to do?”