Page 83 of Dreams Of Fate

“Did everyone doubt us?” Clara huffs.

“Stranger things have happened.” Mateo stops close to them.

“We’ve been through a lot of shit together,” Evander growls. “You should have known we would never do anything to hurt them.”

“I’m sorry,” Mateo says softly. “But it shouldn’t surprise you either. You know what I’ve dealt with. Trust can be turned quickly.”

They stare at each other.

“We do,” Clara says, touching Mateo’s arm, and he looks at her. “All is forgiven, yeah?” She narrows her eyes and looks at Evander. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Evander grumbles.

“Alright,” Mateo says.

“Good. Friends again.” She looks around. “Can you cancel the spell for us? I can smell the flowers, but all I see are trees. I want to see what Savy has done to her yard.”

Mateo looks at me, then at Archer.

“Go ahead,” Archer says.

Mateo moves away, stopping beside the bench in the middle of the backyard. Instead of watching him, I focus on Clara. I have fuzzy memories of her when I was young. They came to Granny’s often, and I always thought she was kind. She had a childlike energy. I love the candies she brought us. I watched her make lotion, and was thrilled when she let me have some.

Her expression lights up as the spell is lifted, allowing them to see the area. She slaps her brother on the arm before running toward Mateo. Evander follows slowly, joining her next to the bench.

“You good?” Archer asks.

“I am.” I smile at him and then look at Aria. “Sis?”

“I’m relieved,” she whispers, looking at me with glassy eyes. “I would hate to have been right this time.”

“I know.”

She hustles forward, and Archer guides me through the plants and rocks.

“So, what’s the plan for the real bad guy?” Evander asks.

We stop close, and I watch Clara try to smell every flower in the area.

“Kill him,” Archer states, and Evander lifts a brow.

“Do you know how or where he is?”

“Obviously not,” Mateo snorts and sits on the bench. “If we did, Archer wouldn’t be so worried.”

Evander looks at my bond. “Are you worried?”

“Anyone who's a threat to Savy would cause me to worry.” He releases my hand and wraps his arm around me. “I don’t doubt we can handle him.”

“We can help,” Clara says, trailing her finger over a bud.

“Appreciate the offer,” Archer says.

“That’s a nice way of saying fuck off.” Clara giggles.

“Would you take this seriously?” Evander snaps, and she glares at him.

“I am.” She motions toward us. “I can feel how powerful they are, and Aria can stop time.” She rolls her eyes. “We won’t leave town and are a phone call away.” She stands straight. “Don’t ruin my good mood. Aria doesn’t think we're evil anymore, and I’m in the middle of plant heaven.”