Page 10 of Shattered By the Currents

“You still haven’t seen the library, have you?” her mother asked.

“I have not.”

“Come on.” Her mother pushed up from the rocker. “You need to see it.”

“I do?” Raven chuckled.

“Oh, yes.”

“Don’t argue with her. You won’t win,” Dad said, almost under his breath.

Raven’s grin widened as she grabbed the empty mugs and washed them in the sink. A main serving area in the residence served three meals a day, but this kitchen was great for her parents to prepare snacks, tea, and coffee.

She was about to leave the kitchen when something on the side table caught her attention.

All the fine hairs on her arms stood on end.

With shaking fingers, she lifted the bracelet. A handmade beaded bracelet that once upon a time, had never left her wrist. A gift from Xander in tenth grade.

“Where did you get this?” she whispered.

“Xander mailed it here,” her mother said over her shoulder.

Raven’s heart kicked, her gaze shooting up. “He mailed ithere?”

“Oh, and he sent a note with it.” Her mom rifled through a drawer before handing her a small handwritten message.

A lump formed in her throat at the sight of Xander’s handwriting.

Raven left this with me. I had your address at Deep River Residence so wanted to return it. I hope you’re both well.

A chill iced her skin. A normal person would read this and not think twice. But he knew she’d see it. And there was a reason he’d sent it here…as a reminder. That he knew where her parents were. That he had access to them.

That she needed to keep her mouth shut.

Bile coiled in her belly, but she swallowed it and shoved the bracelet into her pocket before looking at her mother. “The library?”

“Yes.” Her mother curved her arm through Raven’s.

A haze dimmed Raven’s vision as she walked down the hallways. She passed door after door, mostly to otherapartments. The building was huge, with dozens of units, common areas, and an industrial kitchen.

She’d just stepped into the main lobby and sitting area when she saw him.

With no conscious thought, her feet stopped.

Connor and one of his teammates stood by the front desk. He immediately looked up, straight at her. A smile curved his lips. He said something to his friend before crossing the space between them.

“Hey.”

His deep timbre rumbled over her skin. “Hey. Why…I mean, what are you doing here?”

“Someone’s wandered off. We’re going to start a search.”

“Oh no!”

Her mother chuckled. “It’s probably Herbert. He has Alzheimer’s and wanders off a lot.”

Connor nodded. “ItisHerbert.”