Page 37 of Awakened and Betrayed
The calm that started to prematurely bubble up inside of me fizzles out, and my heart sinks.
20
“Don't look like that, Killer. It's not like we're hiding it. Okay, itislike that, but not because we're ashamed of you, or have any issues with what's happened. It's just that we don’t know how smart it is to clue anyone in on howdifferentyou are, or exactly what that means for us as your Chosen.”
Knox’s words tumble out hurriedly, and I can see the worry on his face that somehow I’m taking this all the wrong way. He focuses back on the road for a minute, and the silence permeates the car.
“I love my family, but they trust the elders. They’ll think our keeping secrets from them is wrong. They won't see things the way that we do, and will be suspicious of the way that we are. We’re still hopeful that the elders will make a decision that is in everyone’s best interest, but with them moving you into Enoch's house, we're divided on whether or not that will happen. We all agreed to keep this quiet until we know more."
I nod, understanding that handling what I am like this is for the best for all of us, but when I look down at Knox's hand in mine, I see one huge flaw in the plan.
“So how did you explain these?” I ask, lifting his hand and pointing to the runes on his ring finger.
“Well, we've been playing a solid game of avoidance. If we have to speak face to face with anyone in our families, we have something covering our hands like a towel or clothing. So far it's worked, but tonight is a mandatory family night, and there's probably not going to be any way for us to avoid what's about to go down.”
I snap my head towards Knox and glare at him.
“Knox are you kidding; please tell me you’re kidding! You can't take me to meet your family for the first time knowing that we’re going to blow up their lives. We’re supposed to convince them of my awesomeness not shatter everything they thought they knew. It was already going to take a miracle to get your mom to like me! I can't cook, I sayfucklike every other word, and I like to fight… a lot! Now you want to go on and announce the wholemarked, hey she's not a caster but aSentinelthing, too? If we do that, then there’s really no way I’m ever going to win your family over. I'm fucked! You totally just fucked me, and not in the way I was wanting.”
Exasperated, I drop my head back against the tan leather of the seat. Fucked is an understatement, I'll be lucky if I can walk away from tonight without having to fight members of Knox's family, which I’m sure is going to go over real well.
Knox chuckles, but I fail to see what about this situation is even remotely funny.
“Don't stress, Killer, everything is going to be fine.”
We pull into the driveway of a large Victorian house, it’s modest compared to Lachlan’s showy chateau and Enoch’s modern ranch, but it’s still big by any normal person’s standards. The house and surrounding land seem well cared for, and Knox pulls the Range Rover in behind a line of other cars.
Knox rests a large hand on my thigh and gives me one of his mind-stopping smiles. It’s all straight white teeth and full kissable lips, and it makes his gray eyes light up in this delicious way that makes me want to dive into them and never come out. If only getting out of this disaster-destined night were that easy.
“Don't worry; they’re going to love you, just go with the flow and trust us.”
I just barely keep from rolling my eyes at his attempt at reassurance that doesn't manage to reassure me at all. Of course, he thinks everything is going to be fine; this is Knox. We could be in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, and this dude would be all smiles and excitement, as he cuts off heads and casually discusseswhat’s for dinner.
Knox closes his door, and I hop out as he rounds the front of the SUV coming towards me.
"You're supposed to let me be all chivalrous and shit in front of my family,” he playfully scolds me.
“Pshhh, please! You’re about to throw me to the wolves, I can't give off the needy damsel vibe, not when it’s about to be survival of the fittest up in here.”
He chuckles, and I slap his chest playfully. He snatches my hand and presses a kiss into my palm, and the pure sweetness of the gesture has me momentarily all aflutter. Our gazes settle on each other, and I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude for who he is and how he lightens the heaviness that perpetually pushes down on my shoulders. A soft smile lifts his lips, and he laces his fingers with mine. He tugs my hand, pulling me out of the moment that’s swelling with feelings I’m not sure I’m recognizing correctly and sure as hell don’t know how to navigate.
He leads me away from the car, but instead of moving toward the plum-colored front door, Knox leads me around the side of the house and into the enormous gated backyard. Boisterous conversation and laughter bounce toward us as we walk towards a group of people gathered around long tables loaded with food. I’m so focused on my breathing and trying to calm the nerves scurrying through my body, that I’m surprised when my eyes land on a face I recognize. Ryker’s lips turn up in a beautiful and welcoming smile, and he puts down a plate of food and comes toward us. I look around quickly to see if any of the other guys are here, but only strangers stare back at me from the remaining faces.
Ryker reaches us, and he cups my face and plants a kiss that’s just a bit more than a peck. It’s a perfect hello and leaves me wanting more as his soft cushioned lips break away from mine.
He pulls me into a hug, but Knox keeps my hand in his so it’s a little weird.
“Bastien told us about what happened with the shifters. Are you okay?” he asks, leaning down with his mouth close to my ear, so only I hear his question.
He pulls away, and I reach up to place my palm against his cheek to soothe away the concern I see there. I nod, but it’s all I can get out before people surround us, and I don’t dare say anything more about Sorik and what happened. Ryker steps back, and I’m immediately inundated with handshakes and hugs until Knox picks me up, removing me from all of the commotion and demands that they stop freaking me out. I laugh as he puts me down and rests his beefy arm over my shoulders protectively.
“Bunch of animals, you’d think you’d never seen a pretty female before, acting like that!”
Chuckles bounce around the group, and they settle with Knox’s chastisement. He points to a dark-skinned man who steps forward from the group of casters and offers me his hand. I take it; his grip is firm, and his smile is reassuring.
“Killer, this is Blake, my dad; Dad, this is Vinna,” Knox introduces.
Blake’s eyes are a rich umber, and his gaze feels deep and comforting. Another male, this one looking like he has some sort of Mediterranean ancestry, steps forward and replaces Blake's hand with his own.
