Dying Covenant: The Complete Series

by Amanda M. Lee

  I pursed my lips and shook my head. “And there it is.”

  Paris clapped Kelsey on the shoulder. “I thought you were growing as a person there. I’m glad you saved yourself in the end.”

  “Me, too.”

  We grabbed coffee from the shop near the front door and made our way to the patio. It was quiet today, most of the students busy getting ready for the start of the new school year. Heck, most of them were probably still in bed, I realized. They were at the age where they could sleep until noon without anyone giving them any crap about sleeping their lives away. They were smart to take advantage of it. The last time I slept until noon I woke to find Aric and Sami staring at me, seemingly bored and needing direction for their day. Of course, that was nice, too.

  “We need to figure out who made the donation to the University Center,” I announced once I was comfortable. “I doubt very much this is a coincidence.”

  “You don’t know that,” Paris pressed. “It doesn’t feel like a coincidence, but we can’t really know without proof. There has to be a way to track down the donor.”

  “I think Aric can do it,” Kelsey said. “He can do almost anything.”

  She wasn’t wrong. “I’ll ask him when we meet up for lunch. They should be here soon.”

  I shifted in the chair and scanned the rolling lawn on the side of the University Center. Aric, Rafael and Sami wouldn’t approach from that direction.

  “Are you nervous?” Paris asked, drawing my attention. It was almost as if she could see inside of my soul.

  I shrugged. “About finding out who donated money for the expansion? Aric won’t have a problem digging for information on that.”

  “No.” Paris chuckled, amused. “Are you nervous about being separated from Sami?”

  “I … no.” I answered before giving it much thought. Was I? “Aric would never let anything happen to her.”

  “Of course he wouldn’t,” Paris agreed, resting her chin on her hand as she stared. “But he’s not omnipotent. If someone attacks, he could be hurt trying to protect her.”

  I knew the reality behind our situation better than Paris, yet her words caused my stomach to flip. “He won’t be hurt.”

  “No, he won’t,” Paris agreed. “Do you want to know why?”

  “Because I won’t let him.”

  Paris snorted. “Besides that.”

  “Because … .” I wasn’t sure what she wanted me to say.

  “Because you would know,” Paris offered. “You would know if he was in trouble. You would feel it. You’ve done it before. The same with Sami.”

  I blew out a sigh. She was right. I would know it. I could always feel when either one of them was hurt or in danger. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I admitted after a few seconds. “Ever since Corinne Waters walked into my house and I instinctively knew she was evil I’ve been off.”

  For once Kelsey was completely somber. “That has to be difficult. I don’t know how you do it. If I were in your position I’d put up one of those magical domes you conjure and never leave. I’d also never let anyone inside.”

  “I’ve been tempted,” I admitted, rubbing my cheek. “That’s not fair to Sami, though. Aric and I could survive the isolation – we’ve done it before, and we even enjoy it on occasion – but that would kill Sami.”

  “And you do your best to make sure Sami is emotionally and physically taken care of,” Paris said. “You realize that her emotional needs are just as important as her physical ones, right?”

  Something niggled at the back of my brain as I swung back and forth on the chair. I pressed my lips together as I decided if I wanted to admit a dark secret, finally giving in and tapping my fingers on the table as I collected myself. “I’ve been struggling since Sami shifted.”

  It was hard to say, yet I felt lighter after uttering the words.

  “What do you mean?” Kelsey leaned forward. “Has she been doing weird stuff? Has she been chewing on the furniture?”

  I scowled and flicked Kelsey’s ear, scorching her with a dark look. “Don’t say stuff like that in front of Aric. He won’t like it.”

  “I think I’ve been ridiculously restrained,” Kelsey argued. “I never asked if he humped your leg in private.”

  She had a point. Still … . “I’m jealous,” I gritted out. “They’re tighter than ever because they have this new wolf bonding thing, and I’m jealous. She’s been going to him constantly the past two weeks, asking questions. She rarely wants to be around me.

  “Then, last night, she was falling all over herself to talk to Rafael,” I continued. “She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. She was fascinated. She’s interested in what Aric and Rafael have to say – and she loves you guys beyond reason – and yet she could take or leave me.”

  “That’s not true,” Kelsey argued. “She wanted to come with us instead of Aric this morning.”

  “Not because of me. She wanted to be with Paris and you. She was excited you were here.”

  “Zoe … .” Paris cleared her throat as she grabbed my wrist. “Every kid thinks someone else’s parent is more exciting than their own. That’s the nature of the world. I’m sure you felt that way when you were Sami’s age.”

  “When I was Sami’s age I thought all parents were stupid. I didn’t care if they were mine or someone else’s.”

  Paris snorted. “Somehow that fits. There’s no reason to be jealous. Sami loves you. She wants to be just like you.”

  “No, she wants to be like Aric,” I corrected. “They have a little club now. Wolves only. No mages allowed.”

  “Sami is more than one thing, though.”

  “She’s happier being a wolf.”

  “I don’t think that’s true,” Paris pressed. “I think being a wolf is simply new and exciting. You know, I’m not sure you’re aware, but she struggled for a long time there when she didn’t think she would shift. She worried she’d disappoint Aric.”

  Part of me was aware of that struggle. Aric was, too. He even said at one point that he would be okay if she never shifted if it made her happy. It cost him to admit that, which made him a better person than me.

  “I’m torn,” I said after a few moments of silence. “I want Sami to be like me. Er, maybe that’s not true. Maybe I simply want her to want to be like me.”

  “I think that’s normal,” Kelsey said.

  “Part of me knows she’ll be safer if she’s like Aric, though,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “If something happens to me, the pack would absorb both of them. They would protect them. They might be better off.”

  “Don’t say that!” Paris extended a warning finger.

  “Definitely don’t say it to Aric,” Kelsey agreed. “He’ll have something of a meltdown.”

  “Besides that, they wouldn’t be better off without you,” Paris added. “They love you. They need you. It’s too late for Sami to have a completely normal life. She’s started manifesting powers. People have heard about it.

  “The time for Sami to live a life without magic is long gone,” she continued. “You can wish for it all you want, but it won’t happen. It would be better for Sami to grow so powerful that people fear her. As it stands, all people have heard are whispers. They think Sami is vulnerable because they have no idea how powerful she is.”

  That was an interesting way of looking at things. “Her powers are growing almost every day,” I admitted. “When we were at the wolf retreat she exploded arrows and manifested fire. Since we got back she’s managed to start a few bonfires with her mind. She even mentally slapped a girl at the ice cream shop, although I’m not sure she realizes she did that. I know it was her, but she seemed oblivious.”

  “That’s good,” Paris offered, taking me by surprise. “The more she masters her abilities, the less likely people are to come after her.”

  “It will take years for her reputation to take hold,” I said. “What are we supposed to do in the meantime?”

  “What you have be
en doing,” Kelsey answered, resting her hand on mine. “You’ll raise her to the best of your ability and then stand back when she decides to take the world by storm when she turns eighteen. You’ll do the very best you can and then trust that you raised her right. She’ll handle the rest.”

  That was difficult to consider. “Aric makes jokes about it just being the two of us again. I look forward to it in some ways, but I’m not sure it’s ever going to be a reality. I think we’ll have to protect her forever.”

  “You’re only saying that because she’s still so young,” Paris countered. “You took care of yourself when you were eighteen. Sami will do the same. That doesn’t mean she won’t need you. It simply means that you’ll raise a strong girl who will want – no, she’ll demand – to stand on her own two feet. You’ll have to take a step back when she’s ready to do that.”

  “And until then?”

  “We work together to keep her safe,” Kelsey answered, leaning back in her chair. “You’re always the one who says we can’t do more than we can do. Right now, all we can do is play it by ear and listen to our hearts. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

  “And we’ll win,” Paris added. “We always win.”

  She had a point. I broke out a in a rueful grin, mildly embarrassed about my mental breakdown. “I’m sorry to have unloaded all of that on you.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Paris brushed off my apology. “You were due for a minor bout of insecurity. We all have them.”

  “Yes, well, that’s another reason I needed you guys,” I admitted. “Other than Aric, you’re the only ones who can always talk me off a ledge.”

  “That’s what we’re here for.” Paris squeezed my hand.

  “Yeah, we’re here for you.” Kelsey absentmindedly patted my forearm as she stared at the University Center door. She seemed interested in whatever caught her attention, but I was too tired to muster the energy to look. “Speaking of ledges, I’m pretty sure that’s Brittany coming this way, and if we want to escape we’ll have to jump over this one.”

  The words were enough to give me a surge of energy and I jerked my head so I could stare in that direction, frowning when I realized Kelsey was right. Brittany was heading our way, and she wasn’t alone. A tall man in a pair of khakis and a button-down shirt walked with her.

  I knew the second Brittany and Paris’ eyes locked, because Brittany let loose an ungodly squeal and scampered in our direction.

  “Paris! Finally someone I’m excited to see!”

  Yeah, we’re not going to be braiding each other’s hair anytime soon.

  Thirteen

  “It’s so good to see you!”

  Brittany threw her arms around Paris, the duo exchanging exuberant hugs as they made girly noises and hopped up and down. She seemed a lot happier to see Paris than me, which was to be expected, of course. I slid an amused look toward Kelsey, who watched the reunion with unveiled interest.

  “It’s so good to see you, too,” Paris enthused, her smile genuine as they separated. “Zoe was just telling us about running into you.”

  “Really?” Brittany’s expression shifted from warm to enigmatic as she glanced at me. “She didn’t tell me you were coming. I feel a little … sad. I mean, what if we didn’t accidentally run into each other? Then I never would’ve seen you.”

  “Yes, that would’ve been absolutely tragic,” Kelsey deadpanned, causing me to bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing.

  Brittany forced her attention to Kelsey and the smile returned, although it didn’t make it all the way to her eyes. Brittany and Kelsey were never close, never shared a roof. The only reason Kelsey and Brittany knew one another was because of me.

  “Hello, Kelsey.” Brittany tugged on her suit coat to straighten it as she took in Kelsey’s slim frame. “You look wonderful.”

  “Thank you,” Kelsey said. “You look great, too.” I could tell she was a little disappointed by that.

  “Sit with us,” Paris instructed, gesturing toward the open chairs. “We’re waiting for Aric and Sami.”

  “Oh, sure.” Brittany nodded toward her male partner. “By the way, this is my husband, Roger West. He’s the head of the English Department here.” Brittany puffed out her chest, proud, and I couldn’t help but smile. She always got off on status. Marrying the head of the department – any department, really – was exactly how she always saw herself when we were younger.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” Paris extended her hand, which Roger gladly took as he beamed smiles around the table.

  “It’s nice to meet you, too,” Roger said, his voice low and warm. “I’ve heard a great deal about you. Brittany speaks very fondly of you.”

  “That’s so nice of her.”

  “Yes, it’s positively delightful,” I muttered, shifting in my chair.

  Roger’s eyes met mine. “And you are?”

  Was he joking?

  “Oh, where are my manners.” Brittany made a tsking sound as she moved closer to us. “Roger, this is Zoe Lake and Kelsey … um … I forget her last name.”

  “I forget it sometimes, too,” Kelsey said.

  “I won’t forget,” Roger prodded.

  “My name is Kelsey Matthews now,” Kelsey offered.

  Brittany arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “You married?”

  “Don’t act so surprised.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Brittany said hurriedly. “I just didn’t realize you were married. Do you have kids?”

  “Twin five-year-old sons.”

  “Holy crap!” Brittany swore under her breath. “You had twins and are still that thin? You must work out like a fiend.”

  Kelsey preened a bit under the compliment. “Mostly I just run away from my kids and the calories miraculously fall off.”

  “Oh, well, you’re lucky,” Brittany said, getting comfortable in the chair next to Paris. “I have to hit the gym at least five days a week.”

  “She’s exaggerating,” Roger interjected, sitting between his wife and Kelsey. “She looks beautiful whether she goes to the gym or not.”

  “Oh, he’s a smooth talker,” Brittany said, playfully smacking Roger’s arm and making me want to vomit with the cutesy looks she lobbed in his direction. “Is it any wonder I fell madly in love with him?”

  “No wonder at all.” Paris’ smile was indulgent as she rested her hands on her stomach. “I’m married, too. We just had a baby.”

  “Really?” Brittany’s eyes lit up. “Do you have photos?”

  “Of course.” Paris rummaged in her purse for her phone, giving Brittany a chance to focus on me.

  “Do you think you and Aric will have more children, Zoe?”

  I immediately started shaking my head. “One is our limit.”

  “Because she’s … difficult?”

  I narrowed my eyes. Sami was incredibly difficult. I would never deny that. She was also my kid, and I was the only one who could refer to her that way. “Because she’s all we want.”

  Paris sensed the tension and shoved her phone in Brittany’s hand to alleviate it. “This is Alvis.”

  “Alvis?” Brittany’s smile was back. “What an unusual name. Why did you pick it?”

  “It’s a family name for my husband Heath,” Paris answered.

  “They also want to be able to say things like ‘Alvis has left the building’ whenever the mood strikes,” I added.

  “We do not want to say that,” Paris argued.

  “Don’t worry. Zoe is simply being Zoe.” Brittany squinched up her face and made cooing noises as she looked at the photographs. “He’s adorable. Was it a difficult birth?”

  Paris glanced at me, smirking. “It wasn’t easy. I was at Zoe’s house when I went into labor. She delivered him … on her living room floor, of all places.”

  Brittany was horrified. “You delivered Paris’ baby?”

  I shrugged. “It wasn’t so bad.” I said the words but the memory was completely different. Delivering someone else
’s baby wasn’t on my to-do list. Ever. “Sami was there. She still talks about seeing the baby coming into the world.”

  Brittany widened her eyes to comical proportions. “You brought your daughter to a baby delivery? Isn’t that a bit … much?”

  “It wasn’t exactly planned,” I offered. “Paris went into labor and delivered extremely quickly. We didn’t have time to get her to the hospital, so … it was what it was.”

  “Zoe did a beautiful job.” Paris beamed. “I was terrified, but she totally held it together despite the fact that she’d just fought off … .”

  I kicked her under the table to cut her off. Paris realized her mistake and adjusted accordingly.

  “She’d been fighting off a nest of bees outside,” Paris explained as Roger and Brittany widened their eyes. “She got stung a few times, but still delivered my baby. It was pretty impressive.”

  “Yes, it was the highlight of my life,” I teased, shifting my eyes to the door when I sensed Aric nearing. I watched the swinging doors, almost as if holding my breath, and when Aric and Sami strolled through they appeared to be having an animated conversation.

  “Here comes trouble,” Kelsey intoned, grinning. “Whatever is going on, Aric doesn’t look happy.”

  Brittany glanced over her shoulder to see what caught our attention. “They really do look alike, don’t they?”

  I nodded. “She’s his little mirror. She mimics a lot of his expressions, too.”

  “It must be a relief for you.”

  I ran my tongue over my teeth as Kelsey stifled a laugh. “Yes, it’s such a relief.” I forced a smile as Aric approached, not missing the way his eyes roamed the back of Roger’s head before he directed Sami to head to my side of the table.

  “Good afternoon.” Aric stood tall as Roger gained his feet and extended a hand, listening as Brittany introduced him as her husband before relaxing a bit. “I see everyone is having a nice time.”

  “We are.” I bobbed my head and patted the seat between Kelsey and me. “Sit down, Sami. We’ll order you some lunch.”

  Sami let her gaze bounce around the table, as if she sensed something was slightly off, and then shrugged before sitting. She turned her expectant brown eyes to me. “Did you miss me?”