“Isabella—I’m sorry to call so early, but Steel’s in a coma, and I need your help.” A muffled exaggerated cough sounded out from the other end of the phone and a bunch of static crackled on the line.
“Sorry—did you say Steel—Steel’s unconscious?”
“Yes. Marcus is going over there now. Steel was kept in isolation, but they couldn’t wake him this morning.”
“Shit.”
“It’s getting crazy. Marcus wants me to stay here with Nate. Can you come over? Please. I need to see you. And bring The Book of Blood.” A hushed silence met her.
“I’ll be over as soon as I can. I just need to check in with someone first. As for the book—look, I’ll explain when I see you, okay?”
In talking with Isabella, the same wave of guilt she sensed around Marcus washed over her. What’s going on? She closed her eyes and stretched into the dark void to focus on her friend to dip inside her thoughts, but she butted heads with a wall of pain. The witch, like Marcus, had perfected her mental blocks. She pressed her throbbing temple. The pain screeched at her from trying to read Isabella. The only possible explanation: she was hiding something too.
“Okay, see you soon.”
Ella couldn’t help feeling adrift as she ended the call. She stared at the bathroom door and chewed on the ends of her nails, feeling alone. She clutched her arms over her chest to hug herself. Marcus had shut her out and now Isabella too. Why would those closest to her be keeping secrets? Why did they feel guilty? A wail from Nate’s room made her sideline her worries, and she darted off the bed, heading for the nursery.
****
Ella placed a mouthful of apple puree into Nate’s eager mouth, which opened wide as the red plastic spoon zoomed closer. There, at the top, lay a single pearl-white tooth. She couldn’t believe the changes he had made in such a short time. He smiled up at her with his angel blue eyes and her heart squeezed with joy. Pressing her lips tight, she sniffed.
Three months had flown since their retrieval of him from the Black Hawk facility. Any trepidation as to whether she would be able to manage being a new mom vanished. The ache that filled her at the loss when she had thought him dead was filled the minute she held him in her arms. A possession consumed her that wouldn’t let her be parted from Nate, needing him to be safe.
Ella swallowed, surprised at how easily she had swapped her active role in Orion for motherhood. Gazing lovingly at Nate, as he gurgled with delight at the taste of the fruit, she smiled, realizing how much she had changed. To the point sometimes she didn’t recognize herself anymore. The front door clicked open and Isabella strolled in, dressed in her leather jacket and matching pants, composed and ready to kick ass. Ella stared down at her loose sweatpants and sweatshirt smeared in apple puree, and wondered what the pre-baby Ella would think.
“How’s my favorite little fella?”
Isabella kissed him on the cheek and promptly moved away to help herself to coffee from the Keurig. A million questions buzzed in Ella’s head as the witch skirted the perimeter of the kitchen, avoiding direct eye contact. The weight of worry and fear had morphed in a few hours. Now, she couldn’t avoid the topic, desperate for answers. Isabella appeared preoccupied, staring out the window. Maybe it was worry over Roman and Jake. The only way to find out would be to dive right in.
“I know, Izzie.”
A loud clatter sounded as her friend slammed her mug down on the countertop, spilling the coffee on the white granite, seeming to confirm she had hit the nail on the head.
“You know what, Ella? What are you talking about?”
Ella’s instincts pushed her to keep going. Continuing to feed Nate, she calmly continued. “You’re my friend, right? That means we confide in each other. Share things. Having your friendship means the world to me. You’re like the sister I always wanted. You’re part of my family.”
Ella hadn’t intended to lay it quite as thick—or maybe she did, in the hopes Isabella would confess—but she meant every word. She had opened herself to the witch. Confided and trusted her. She had no secrets from her.
Isabella lowered her head, crossed her arms over her chest, and dug her nails in.
“You’re hiding something. Marcus too. I know you’re not sleeping with him, but there’s something between you two. What the hell is going on?”
Isabella twisted away and gripped the countertop. “Sleep with Marcus? Are you mad? Why would you even think that?”
“I’ve been trying to work out what would cause you both to act the way you do, that’s what. Perhaps being with Nate gives me more time than is healthy to pick over things, but damn it, I said I know you’re not sleeping with him, but there’s something. I know it, Izzie. Isn’t there?”
“Did you call me over to interrogate me? Is that what this is?”
Isabella never got defensive with her, but right now, as Ella’s heart pounded in her chest, she couldn’t stop.
“You’re both blocking me out. I may not be able to read your thoughts, but I feel the vibes. You’re swimming in guilt around me. Even your aura glows a muddy brown. Yours and his. There’s so much going on right now that I push it aside, not wanting to address it because I’m terrified of what I will find. But I can’t take it any longer. I’m giving you the chance to be honest with me.”
Ella hadn’t meant to snap, but she didn’t like this anymore than Isabella did. Her patience evaporated hours ago. Another reason
