Chapter Twenty-Five
Iwasn’t surprised when the day of our visit to the Royal Ontario Museum dawned grey and rainy, but I was starting to wonder if I would ever see sunshine again.
The weather had made the news at this point, with most of Ontario experiencing higher-than-normal rainfall totals and flood warnings throughout the province.
We needed to close the portal as soon as possible.
I peered up at Owen, who walked between Jace and me. He studied the rom as we approached its crystalline entrance, consternation written all over his face. We both needed to focus on something other than Marion’s cryptic passage.
It was a few minutes after ten and the rom had just opened. This was a reconnaissance mission, something both Owen and Jace deemed essential before we attempted our heist on Saturday. They had been discussing cameras, angles, and comms since we met Jace in the parking lot.
Once inside, Jace lingered at plaques just long enough to look convincing. Owen appeared to be taking great interest in a display about the history of China. Neither spoke to the other, but they communicated nonetheless through pointed looks and the barest movement of their fingers.
I imagined they were noting the placement of motion sensors and security cameras in the room’s corners, marking the rhythm of security guards, and studying exit points.
But honestly, I had no idea what exactly they were doing.
My stomach dropped again. We were going to steal an artifact from the Royal Ontario Museum. Could my life get any weirder?
On the second floor, we wandered separately through galleries and under the lofty arches and high ceilings that had always impressed me.
I kept my senses tuned for the stone, but I sensed nothing until I saw a museum employee pushing a wheeled cart piled high with boxes.
One small box at the bottom of the cart caught my attention.
My breath hitched as I felt a sudden jolt of certainty.
That was it.
Without thinking, I took a step toward the employee, then stopped. Owen had given me strict instructions to not leave his sight, and I knew—I knew—I shouldn’t leave without getting his attention first.
But the dagger was within reach. If I backtracked to tell Owen, I would lose sight of the employee. What if we didn’t have to wait until Saturday? What if we could retrieve the dagger now and save Charles that much sooner?
My decision made, I barely glanced at the red staff only sign next to the roped-off hallway as I slipped past it. The employee, who seemed unaware of my silent pursuit, turned a corner. I weaved past ancient busts and forgotten exhibits, the museum growing darker and quieter with every step.
I rounded the corner just in time to see the employee swipe his badge against a panel and push his cart through the door that opened in response. Despite rushing, I couldn’t catch it before it shut and locked. Cursing, I retraced my steps only to collide with a wall.
A hard, angry wall.
Owen towered over me, legs braced apart and arms crossed. Beside him, Jace was frowning as he looked between us.
Piercing blue eyes pinned me where I stood. “What the fuck are you doing?”
I pulled back, feeling the sting of his reprimand. I had never been on this side of Owen’s fury. His exasperation and suspicion, yes, but the look on his face now stole the breath from my lungs, and my thoughts stuttered to a halt.
This wasn’t steady, calm, and safe Owen. His famous self-control hung by a thread as he stared at me like I had done something unforgivable. Why was he so angry? Surely my leaving his sight for a few minutes wasn’t worthy of such a strong reaction.
I almost doubled over from the pain once I realized what was happening. I’d ignored the warning signs with Todd, and now Owen was turning on me as well. Why hadn’t I trusted my instincts and left earlier before he had made me feel so safe?
I lifted my chin, trying to compose myself, but tears welled in my eyes.
“I didn’t think—”
“No. You didn’t.”
“Owen…” Jace murmured, but Owen didn’t seem to notice.
I didn’t think you would be so angry. Not with me. Never with me.
I swallowed my hurt, and chose anger instead, stepping forward so Owen and I were toe to toe. How dare he treat me like this? I wasn’t a child. “I wasn’t in any danger.”
“But what if you were, and I was too far away?”
“You’re overreacting. Why are you so angry?”
“Why did you leave, Kira?” Owen asked, each word spoken precisely and edged with steel.
“The dagger was on the cart! I couldn’t let it get away.”
“You didn’t even check first to see if I was looking.” The hurt in his voice was evident, but I blew right past it.
“Oh, so you saw me leave, but you’re going to yell at me anyway?”
His control snapped. “I always have an eye on you, Kira! You took off without so much as a glance in my direction. How could you do that?” The to me part was left hanging between us.
“I can take care of myself, Owen! Stop being so overbearing!”
He recoiled like I’d slapped him, before his eyes narrowed in anger once again.
“Fine. You want to do this on your own? Then do it. But remember this. We’re no longer in the world we once were, Kira.
There’s a whole new set of rules. People are vanishing.
What if I hadn’t seen where you went? What if I couldn’t follow you?
What if a portal had opened and you had been sucked into it like Granddad?
You might be gone for good. Get some sense into your head.
Either we do this as a team, or we don’t.
But if you don’t want my help, then let me know so I no longer have to protect you! ”
Have to protect me? Have to? A tear slipped down my cheek, but I dashed it away. “I knew I was a burden to you! I knew you would leave when this was all over!”
Owen’s eyes were dark with rage. “I keep reaching for you, but you keep running away. Were you testing me? To see if I would follow if you left?”
“Of course not,” I said, but my voice lacked conviction, and we both knew it.
“Stop expecting people to disappoint you. Stop leaving first.” He leaned in, filling my vision. “I am not Todd.”
I spun on my heel, my face flaming. I wanted to run, but if I did, I’d be doing exactly what I’d always done and what he had just accused me of doing.
I stood for a minute breathing heavily, fists clenched. To turn back was to let him win. To run was to let him win. Ugh. Why were there no easy choices?
I turned around and smacked into his chest, then I pushed off him, tears clouding my vision as I glared.
“I’m not running because I’m not finished with you.
It hasn’t even been two weeks! Two! And you think you know me?
You know nothing about me! You’ve gone from accusing me of scamming an elderly person to romancing me and back to shouting at me in two weeks!
You don’t know what I’ve been through! Why trust is so hard for me.
I’m broken, and once you get to know me, you won’t want to stay.
You’ll leave. Like everyone else. And I’ll be heartbroken. Again.”
“Take a risk. Take a risk on us, Kira. It may fail, but what if it doesn’t? What if we’re incredible together?” Owen’s voice had lost some of its steel. “Everyone goes through some shit in their life. You either let it control you, or you learn from it and overcome it.”
“Stop with your self-righteous bullshit! Do you even hear yourself right now? You had a family growing up! I’ve seen your family pictures! At your place and Charles’s. Everyone so happy. Grandparents, parents, sister. I had that, and I lost it!” My voice broke on a sob.
“I did, too!” he snapped.
I drew back. “What?”
“I lost my sister, and it destroyed our family. I was supposed to watch her and…yeah, you’re not the only one dealing with loss and survivor’s guilt. But unlike you, I don’t push people away.”
We stared at each other. The pain within us and between us was a tangible thing, a jagged shard of glass cutting us both with each accusation.
I reached out to him, but he shrugged me off. “I can’t right now, Kira.”
He turned and walked away.
And so did I.