Chapter 14 #2
My heart clenched at that. They had history here. I was the outsider, the interloper who'd wormed my way into their lives only to run away. Even if I had what I thought was a good reason.
Felix kicked the door open, dust billowing up from the impact. The cabin was exactly as I pictured—sparse, utilitarian, with a massive forge taking up most of the space.
"In," Felix commanded, and we filed through the door like scolded children as Felix disappeared into what I assumed was a bathroom when the sounds of running water started almost immediately.
“He’s going to be a minute. We can use the outdoor shower,” Ashland announced. “Rhodes, Misha, and Talon can babysit for five minutes.”
I moved to lean against the cold stone of the forge, but Talon's hand shot out, grabbing my wrist. "Oh no, Bun-bun. You're staying right here where we can see you."
The others showered quickly, and then it was Talon’s turn. I went last, using the bathroom once Felix was done. There was no window, so nowhere for me to escape, even if I wanted to.
I wasn’t sure what to think about everything. I’d delivered the blow that led to Asrael’s death. He was dead. The killer of my parents was finally dead. My mission… it was complete. But the victory didn’t feel quite as sweet as it should have.
“It’s going to be fine, darling. They saw what you did to Asrael. You just have to explain…” Jasper said as I washed my hair, clearly picking up on my anxiety over the situation.
“It’s not that simple. What if they don’t believe me? What if they never trust me again?”
The door creaked as it opened. “Did you say something, Bun-Bun?” Talon asked curiously.
“No, just talking to myself. I’m almost done.” I shot Jasper a pointed look and held my finger up to my lips.
“Here’s some clothes, I’ll leave them on the sink. Felix went and raided one of the wardrobes in the castle.”
I rinsed the final suds from my body. “Thanks, Talon.”
“Now hurry the fuck up, Bun-Bun. I have like, one million questions, and I am not a patient demon.” The door creaked as he left.
I quickly dried off and pulled on the black cargo pants and black t-shirt. No underwear, which was fine with me. I drew the line at wearing used undergarments. At least there were socks and a brush. I opened the door and ran the brush through my hair as I walked right into Felix.
“Good. Come on,” he said, emotionless. He pulled me into the center of the room, the others forming a loose circle around me.
Someone had built a fire, causing their shadows to dance along the walls.
My skin prickled under their intense stares—Ashland's icy calculation, Rhodes' burning hatred, Misha's predatory focus, Talon's manic glee, and Felix's. .. something I couldn't quite read.
"Now," Felix said, closing the door behind him. "We're going to talk. All of us. And no one is leaving until we figure out what the fuck is really going on."
I swallowed hard, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. "I can explain everything."
"I highly fuckin' doubt that," Rhodes growled.
"Shut up, Rhodes," Felix snapped. "You'll get your turn." His eyes locked onto mine, and for the first time, I saw a flash of the pain I'd caused him. "Start from the beginning, Palmer. And this time, tell us the truth. All of it."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves under their intense stares. "I was young when my parents were murdered," I began, my voice barely above a whisper. "Asrael found me that night, covered in their blood, trying desperately to heal them with powers I didn't understand."
Talon's manic energy stilled, his usual restlessness replaced by an eerie focus. I forced myself to continue.
"Asrael told me he could help me control my abilities, teach me to be stronger. When you're that broken, that lost..." I swallowed hard. "You'll believe anything someone tells you if they offer you purpose."
"Montague Industries," Felix said softly, understanding dawning in his eyes.
I nodded. "He built it from nothing, supposedly to help other orphaned witches and mages, like me. But really, it was all about control. Training us. Using us."
"Using you against us," Rhodes interjected coldly.
"Yes." My hands clenched into fists. "Asrael told me The Exiled were demons, and demons weren’t meant to be in our realm.
That you had been killing, maiming, and breaking laws.
You needed to be neutralized. I wanted to prove myself to him, and being successful at this mission was how I was going to achieve that. "
"That's why you came to Haunt that night." Ashland's voice was ice. "To infiltrate us."
A bitter laugh escaped me. "Yes, that was the goal. But then I met you all, and nothing made sense anymore. The monsters Asrael described... You weren't them."
"So what changed?" Felix asked quietly.
"Everything." I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. "The way you treated your people, how you protected the city. Even when you were being absolutely terrifying, there was always a reason, always justice behind it. It didn't match what I'd been told."
"But you still left," Rhodes reminded everyone harshly.
"Because of you," I pointed at him, anger finally breaking through.
Misha shifted subtly. "Why?"
"I'm a spirit witch. I literally see spirits. There was one spirit in particular who kept communicating with me—"
"I'm going to kill you if you keep talking," Rhodes growled, not a threat, a promise. Jasper placed his hand on my shoulder, and I felt his desire to protect me through our bond, along with his sadness. "Don't you fucking dare. I'm warning you!"
All eyes swiveled to Rhodes, who had become completely unhinged in a matter of seconds. His eyes were wild with rage and pain, but this time, I understood why.
"Rhodes, settle the fuck down and let her speak!" Felix barked, taking a step toward him.
"No! No, you don't understand. None of you fucking understand!" he roared, pointing at each one as he spun in a slow circle. "She's the worst kind of rat. It wasn't enough that she infiltrated us. Or that her mentor was fucking Asrael!"
As he yelled, he began moving toward me. The hurt and pain that this man had carried for years was all over him, and I couldn’t believe I hadn't seen it from the beginning. I held my hand up, and my voice came out soft but firm. "It's okay, Rhodes."
His wings exploded out in absolute rage, and his eyes flashed yellow as he snarled at me.
"You'd better think twice before you flash your murder eyes at my fucking mate!"
Rhodes' eyes went completely yellow at the sound of Jasper's voice, and he grabbed my arm hard enough to bruise. The entire room seemed to have collectively stopped breathing.
"Enough, Rhodes." Jasper's voice cracked through the cabin like thunder, making everyone freeze. My heart stuttered in my chest as Rhodes' face drained of all color.
"No..." Rhodes whispered, releasing my arm and stumbling backward until his wings hit the wall. "This isn't real."
"Brother," Felix breathed, his eyes scanning the room wildly. "Was that...?"
"There's no fucking way," Talon growled, moving closer to me.
Ashland stepped up now, his face inches from mine. "What kind of trickery is this?"
I felt Jasper's presence strengthen beside me, his energy wrapping around me protectively. "It's not a trick," I said softly, reaching out to take his translucent hand in mine—the familiar tingle of our connection spreading through my fingers.
"You fucking liar!" Rhodes roared, pointing at me with a shaking finger. "You're sick. You're twisted. How dare you use his voice against us? Against me?"
"Rhodes," I started, but he cut me off with a snarl.
"No! You don't get to stand there and pretend... pretend..." His voice cracked, centuries of pain bleeding through. "He's dead. I watched him die. WE ALL WATCHED HIM FUCKING DIE!"
Misha shifted, his eyes darting between Rhodes and the space beside me where he must have sensed something wasn't quite right. The roaring fire cast dancing shadows across his face.
"Show them," I whispered to Jasper, squeezing his hand. "Please."
I felt his hesitation through our bond, his fear of rejection warring with his desire to be seen. To be known. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he let his form materialize.
The sharp intake of breath from Felix was deafening in the sudden silence. Talon's manic energy stilled completely, his blue eyes wide with disbelief. Ashland's normally stoic expression cracked, showing raw emotion for the first time since I'd known him.
"Hello, brothers," Jasper said softly, his form shimmering in the dim light. "It's been a while."
Rhodes made a sound like a wounded animal, sliding down the wall until he hit the floor. His wings curled around him protectively, but I could see him trembling.
"You're dead," Talon whispered, his voice uncharacteristically small. "We felt you die. The bond..."
"I am dead," Jasper confirmed, his grip tightening on my hand. "But not gone. Never gone. Palmer can see spirits—it's part of her magic. She's been helping me remember who I am. Who I was."
"This whole time?" Felix asked, taking a hesitant step forward. "Since the beginning?"
I nodded. "He found me that first night at Haunt. He's been with me ever since."
"That's why you left," Ashland said, understanding dawning in his ice-blue eyes. "You told Rhodes about Jasper?"