Page 62 of Written In Flesh

SKULLY: Yes

MADDEN: It looks like with the weather we won’t get back until late.

MADDEN: I’ll make it up to you, Angel.

MADDEN: Morning. Coach called an early practice in the morning. Can I see you after?

She hasn’t responded, and it’s been almost twelve hours since I sent it. My chest clenches painfully, and my shadows pulse with a mixture of anger and worry. I know we didn’t leave things the best between us when I dropped her off the other night, but I thought we were making progress. Skully was letting me in a little bit. Guilt slams into me, knowing what I’m keeping from her. Slamming my locker door closed, I go to pocket my phone only for it to vibrate in my hand.

GAVIN: Your presence at the manor is needed.

I blow out a breath, pushing down the swell of rage inside me. Being at his beck and call is getting old. Being summoned like a dog is enough to make me want to end him now. If I had any other choice, I’d tell him to fuck off. The truth is that I need him to believe we’re compliant. I need him to be comfortable, thinking he’s in control when we pull the rug out from under him and destroy his world.

MADDEN: On my way.

One glance around confirms that I’m still alone in the locker room. Doing something I never do, I shimmer out of there and head straight to the manor.

“Sir,” Simone greets me, his knack for knowing the comings and goings at the manor are impeccable if not annoying. “Mr. Morgan is expecting you.”

“Thanks, Simon,” I answer gruffly, moving past him and heading straight for Gavin’s office. My shoes squeak against the fresh waxing on the floor as I walk down the hallway. I cringe internally, hoping that my mother won’t be alerted to my presence and I’ll end up forced to be here longer.

Knocking on Gavin’s door, I wait for him to call out for me to enter, taking the second to square my shoulders and take a deep breath. I don’t know why he summoned me, but I can only guess it has something to do with the Gate.

“Come in,” Gavin calls, and the door opens on its own accord.

I step into the dimly lit space and make my way over to his desk. Gavin doesn’t stand, doesn’t greet me, and that’s all I need to know about the nature of this visit: it isn’t a friendly one. Still, I force an easy-going grin to my face.

“Everything okay?”

Gavin’s brow furrows slightly before he clears his throat, motioning for me to sit across from him in the vacant chair. I sit slowly, assessing his desk, the disarray of the room, and the open bottle of scotch on his sideboard.

“I’ve heard some things, Madden. Some unpleasant things,” he starts, sitting back in his chair and folding his hands in his lap.

My brow quirks up and I assess his face with cool detachment. “You’ll have to give me more than that, Gavin. I don’t know what you’re referring to exactly.”

“My daughter,” Gavin practically sneers. “I’ve heard you’ve been spending a significant amount of time with her at the Gate. I knew training was taking place, but this piece of information seems to entail that more is going on.”

“I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but we are training her at the Gate, just like you asked. Aero and Heath are there as well, so I hope your little spy reported that too,” I answer, keeping my voice level and refusing to look away from his accusing gaze.

“She’s going to be your stepsister, Madden. I don’t think I need to tell you how the optics of such a relationship would look to the council or the town,” Gavin drawls, his eyes raking over me, as if sizing me up and finding me lacking.

I can feel my body tensing, wanting to deny the relationship being forced onto us both when we’re meant for so much more. If only Gavin knew, his head would spin with the information, and there is no doubt in my mind he would find a way to control the outcome, knowing the power dynamic would shift.

“I’ve been training Skully. There is nothing else to it than that,” I hear myself saying. Protecting Skully and myself right now is top priority.

Gavin sits with the information for a beat or two, before glancing off to the map on his wall. I see various pins stuck in places around town. “If there is anything else going on at the Gate that goes beyond your position as reapers, I will find out eventually. There are far more eyes in this town than you or your friends could prepare for.”

The threat is clear; the message delivered. He knows or at least suspects that we’re plotting something while at the cemetery. He knows that his daughter is involved as well. The real question is how.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, sir.” The lie rolls smoothly off my tongue. Gavin grunts, moving his body closer to his desk and leaning across it to stare me down.

“The Nexa is not here. It’s a myth, a piece of gossip to stir up drama and cause issues between the paranormals.”

My stomach sinks. He knows we’ve talked about the Nexa. But how? He would have had to be at the cemetery or someone would have to have been close enough to read our lips. Unless… unless someone there told him. My mind flashes to Skully and a burst of red-hot betrayal slices across my chest. My shadows rise in defense but it’s the only thing that makes sense.

Taking my silence as obedience, Gavin waves his hand to dismiss me. “This is my town, Madden. Until your ascension, you still answer to me.”

Anger burns in my veins and I have to school my features to stay neutral, unbothered, a stoic mask of acceptance. The perfect tool for Gavin to use and wield.