35
QUINTON
The following morning, before I even have breakfast or coffee, I go to the library. The halls are quiet, and it’s not until I reach the library that I think maybe it might be closed this early. Thankfully, the doors are open, beckoning me forward. I catch a glimpse of the morning sunrise peeking up through the mountains as I enter, and I pause in the doorway to stare at the majestic beauty of nature. Strange how its beauty can become your worst nightmare in a split second. The mountains, while a sight to see, are more than dangerous.
“Can I help you?” A low voice grabs my attention, and I swivel in its direction. My gaze lands on Brittney, standing before me, a blank expression on her face.
Oh, this is going to be good.
“Yes, yes, you can. In fact, you were just the person I was looking for.” I take a step toward her, and her brows jump up, a look of almost shock overtaking her features.
She should know that while she is a teacher here, and I have no real interest in her besides what she can offer me in terms of finding my birth mother, she should still be scared of what I can do to her. What will I do if she doesn’t give me what I want?
“Do you need help finding a book?” she questions almost innocently, and I cross my arms over my chest, making myself appear bigger, scarier.
“No, no. Let’s just say I know the little secret you told Aspen. I know what you are hiding from, or better, who you are hiding from. But don’t worry, I want you to know that I won’t tell Phoenix where you are… under one condition.”
Brittney’s nose wrinkles and creases appear on her forehead. I can see the anxiety building, feel it as it rolls off her and fills the room.
“You do understand that blackmailing a teacher could get you kicked out of Corium?” There is a bite to her tone that I don’t like, so I drive my point home.
“And you do realize who my father is, right? I could make it so you can’t get a job anywhere. I can make it so that you’re poor, without a job or home, living on the streets, begging for your next meal.” A visible shiver works its way through her body, and her jaw tightens.
“What do you want from me?”
“I’m glad you decided to help me.”
“I didn’t. I decided I value my job and food on the table more. Now tell me what you want or get the hell out of the library.”
I decide to pause the asshole attitude and get to the point. “I need you to find something, actually, someone, if you can.”
“Who?”
“My birth mother. I need whatever information you can find, and if you happen to discover where she is living, that’s even better. Whatever you find, I want it.”
“Okay, tell me everything you know about her, and I’ll do my best to see what I can dig up.” I rattle off all the info I know, which isn’t much.
“Give me two days. Meet me here at the same time. I’ll warn you, though, I’m not sure how much information I’ll get with what you’ve given me.”
“Whatever you find, I want to know. I don’t care what it is.”
Brittney nods, and the weight on my chest becomes heavier. What will I do when I find out who she is? Better yet, what if she tells me things about my father that I’m not ready to hear?
When I leave the library, I’m a mess, confused by my own emotions. What if my father was trying to protect me from her? What if she didn’t want me? I shove all the lingering questions to the back of my mind. Until I have a logical answer to them, there is no point in dwelling on them.
I meet Ren for breakfast as usual and ignore the festering in my gut. Something bad is about to happen. I can feel it.
* * *
Two days pass,and they’re as anxiety-riddled as ever. I do my best to keep a safe distance from Aspen, even if it’s hell to do. I can feel my need for control rising up. It won’t be long till I have to make a trip to her room and find something to barter her with.
I drag myself out of bed and walk to the library to meet Brittney. As soon as our gazes connect, the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. She pushes her glasses up the bridge of her nose, staring at me almost nervously.
“I get the feeling whatever you’re going to tell me isn’t something I’ll like.
“It didn’t take me long to find a name, but her name doesn’t matter, not now.”
“What do you mean?”