I had to keep an eye on Lea today.
I strained my ears, but it sounded like she hadn’t stirred yet this morning.
Perhaps I was paranoid. I’d only told her about the Immortal world last night—no one could know already.
There had been the werewolf encounter. Still, I doubted anyone had seen me kill that rogue…
But Lea and I could have been spotted together before I revealed myself to her.
If she ever got into trouble, she’d easily be traced back to me.
I felt a pang of guilt. I had brought her into this. If she ever got into trouble…I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.
I could hear her stirring upstairs now.
I glanced around the kitchen, wondering what she’d like for breakfast.
Bacon was out of the question.
The same went for eggs, cheese, milk…
Black coffee and jam on toast would have to do.
“Hello.” Lea entered the kitchen, looking refreshed despite her day-old outfit.
“Hi. Breakfast?” I asked her.
“Sure,” she smiled. “But then I have to get going. I’m visiting my mom today.”
“No problem,” I responded. Then, remembering that I wanted to keep an eye on her today, “Do you mind if I come?”
She seemed taken aback. “Uhhh…”
“Please?” I asked, widening my eyes until she laughed out loud.
“Of course the werewolf has the puppy dog look down pat… Sure, you can come.”
I didn’t think she was necessarily going to tell her mom about the Immortal world. Still, I wanted to spend some more time with her, not only for her own safety but also to see how she was responding to all…this.
It was a lot to take in, the information I’d relayed last night.
I wanted to know she’d be okay.
I poured the coffee and added cream to mine. The toast popped up, startling us both.
We ate in companionable silence, both seemingly lost in thought.
I glanced out the window. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.
“Where does your mom live?” I asked.
Lea blushed. Her olive skin, much like my own, showed barely any change in pigment, but I could sense the warm blood rising to her cheeks.
“It’s not close,” she said after swallowing a bite of toast. “Actually, do you have a car?”
“Yeah, no problem.”
“We should get going, then.” She pushed her plate toward the sink. “I overslept, and my mom is very particular about visiting hours.”
I drained my coffee mug, and we hurried to get ready.
While I was washing my face in the bathroom sink, Lea entered behind me to use the mirror too.
I saw her eyeing the extra toothbrush and the other duplicate products placed around the bathroom. Now that I was seeing them through her eyes, they seemed to be everywhere.
“You were ready for me to pay you a visit?” she joked, meeting my eyes through the mirror.
I didn’t answer, pretending to be intent on the task at hand.
I brushed past Lea to find my shoes and jacket.
By the time I was ready, she was hovering at the door, looking nervous.
I picked up my keys from their hook on the wall, and we made our way down the steps to the back of the building where my car awaited us in the garage.
Lea eyed the Audi.
I forced a laugh. “Sorry.”
I opened the door for her, and she slid into the leather seat. I walked around to my side, wondering what I was getting myself into.
“Where to?” I asked her, buckling myself into the driver’s seat. But she was already typing something into the GPS.
The female monotone voice announced, “Beginning—journey—to—Washington—Corrections—Center—for—Women.”
I didn’t know why I was allowing Liam to accompany me to see my mom.
I thought I should explain, give him some background knowledge—but I didn’t know what to say…
It seemed he could sense this internal struggle. He switched on the radio to ease the tension.
It wasn’t like me to allow a friend to see this side of my life, but Liam had let me in to see his life last night…
And, besides, it’s not like I had any revelations as shocking as “I’m an Immortal werewolf” to spring on him.
It was only fair that I bring him. He was trusting me with so much.
And anyway, I could use the company. My mom could be a piece of work.
The car journey started quietly. Then we began to chat a little awkwardly—about anything but the two most apparent topics on our minds: the Immortal world and my mother’s prison sentence.
“So, do you like bartending?” Liam asked me.
“It’s okay, I get to meet people…” I paused before making more of an effort. “It pays our bills, you know? And the hours mean I have time during the day to train. Boxing really keeps me sane more than anything else.”
Liam smiled, “Well, you definitely kicked my ass the other day!”
“Damn right I did,” I said with a smirk, pointing to ensure he didn’t miss our turn.
Liam parked the car, and we entered the building. I noticed the way his green eyes roamed over every detail of the facility.
After we received our instructions and went through the usual entry procedure, we waited for my mom.
After a few minutes, she arrived with a bright smile, looking healthier than I’d seen her in a long time.
“Lea!” she squealed, her voice an octave higher than usual. “It’s so lovely to see you.”
She said it as though I hadn’t been expected. She knew exactly when I was coming.
“And who’s this handsome young man?” she asked, looking over at Liam.
“I’m Liam.”
“Sandra,” she smiled. “Boyfriend?” she asked, turning to me.
Thrown by her chipper mood, I still hadn’t said a word. I didn’t trust it.
“No,” I said. “He’s…”
“…gay,” Liam finished for me.
“Oh,” my mom said, visibly deflated.
It was for the best. I needed a friend more than I needed a fuck buddy.
“We’ll just have to see about that,” she said, conspicuously winking at me.
“Mom!”
“What? You never know until you know…”
“I think he knows,” I hissed at her.
“I’m just having a little fun, Lea! You’re so serious.”
I changed the subject. “How’s the rehab facility?”
My mom seemed to notice for the first time where she was.
“It’s good. It’s fine. Really great, actually,” she said. “I’ve turned over a new leaf. I’m getting better now.”
I scoffed. She didn’t even seem to be trying to be convincing this time. “Mom, you need to take this seriously.”
“I am, Lea,” she said. “I’m so sorry for everything I’ve put you through in the past. It hasn’t been fair on you. Things will be different now.”
I experienced déjà vu as previous versions of this promise flooded my mind.
I knew letting in hope would only be setting myself up for disappointment.
My mom turned to Liam. “She doesn’t believe me. My own daughter doesn’t believe me…”
I was fuming, tired of this whole song and dance.
Liam folded and unfolded his legs.
My mom continued, “I know it’s my fault… I’ve let her down so many times.”
“It’s…it’s going to be okay,” Liam told her.
“I just wish Lea would forgive me,” she responded, her voice tearful.
“You never asked for forgiveness!” I snapped.
“Well, I—” the hurt was evident on her face.
“You’ve neglected me my whole life, and now you’re going to play the victim? Are you serious?!” I pulled out my chair.
“Lea, wait—”
I stood up and left before I had to hear another word of her bullshit.
I sat for almost a minute with Lea’s mom, unsure of what to do.
“She’s not coming back,” she told me. “Visiting hours aren’t over yet, but…she doesn’t want to see me.”
“Okay,” I answered uncomfortably.
I still wanted to give Lea a head-start so that she could cool off before I caught up with her.
I was sure she thought her behavior was justified—and maybe it really was, what did I know?—but Sandra looked hurt and even sincere in her efforts…
I gave Sandra a tight smile and nodded my head before standing up to follow my friend.
I turned my head.
“It was nice meeting you,” I said.
Sandra forced a smile as a prison guard guided her away.
I tried to understand why the visit had gone so poorly.
I passed the security guards and scanned the parking lot for Lea.
She was already standing next to the car, her arms folded over her chest.
Several other cars were scattered across the parking lot. Visiting hours wouldn’t be over until 7:30 p.m., but Lea seemed ready to leave early.
As I gave her a wave and started to walk toward her, a breeze hit me, bringing the scent of an Immortal to my nostrils. My heightened senses worked overtime as I sniffed the air furiously.
I stiffened as my peripheral caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure on the other side of the fence…
In the second it took to turn my head, the figure had already disappeared behind the building.
Or perhaps it had never been there at all.
But I knew there would be consequences for yesterday’s actions.
My blood ran cold.
If the royal family was already onto us…
We were royally fucked.
