Questions would have to wait. Reagan stood to follow Papa and noticed the angel standing on the far side of the clearing. She walked toward him, feeling remorse for taking a life in his presence.
“Thank you,” she said as she came within two feet of him.
“I am the angel of justice. It was my turn.”
As he faded, Reagan felt a tear fall down her cheek. “Tell Nana thank you, too.”
“Reagan!”
Papa’s voice brought her back to the urgency of her situation. She ran to him, and they headed back to base camp, down one team member. Or, former team member. At least, she hoped they hadn’t lost more.
They’d found their traitor, but nothing about the day seemed like a victory.
As they raced back home, Reagan replayed everything in her mind. She started with the day’s events, but soon her memories crept even further back. Losing Sam, Nana coming back into her life, meeting Rafe for the first time, becoming a werewolf, reuniting with Papa, falling in love with Rowan, finding Sam, discovering a sister… and so forth. So many changes. Faith had become an integral part of her existence. Her life was in the hands of her team, some of whom she’d met for the first time within a twelve-month period. But to have Ricardo turn against them left her feeling raw and vulnerable.
Still, she couldn’t help but think about Madeleine and Rowan and what they must’ve been feeling. Ricardo had been with them for a long time. And Winona. Reagan could only imagine how much her sister’s heart ached. Even the thought of Rowan being the traitor, which Reagan pushed out of her head as soon as it registered, had left Reagan numb and heartbroken.
Then, fear gripped her chest so hard she could barely breathe, and she slowed. Rowan came up to her side immediately.
“What’s wrong?” he communicated.
Wolf form was the quickest way home, so they’d shifted as soon as they left the earlier battle scene.
“Rafe knows it’s Winona, not Sam.”
They’d never had their imagined ace in the hole. Reagan had no doubt Ricardo had passed along the one surprise they were counting on having.
“We’ll figure everything out as soon as we get back.”
Something deep down told Reagan time was running out. With a team of dwindling numbers and morale low, Reagan knew the sooner Rafe attacked, the worse their chances. They couldn’t go into battle with such a black cloud hanging over them. Racking her brain for ideas to delay war, she kept coming up empty. Her first thought was to pull Madeleine aside and strategize. But she’d been through even more than most that evening. To find her mom only to have to kill her. Reagan’s heart broke again, and she worried how much of it would survive, especially with everything she still had to face.
Before she came to a resolution, they’d arrived. Backpacks lined the area just before the cave. She shifted, grabbed a bag, and threw on some clothes.
Rowan came up and checked in. “How’re you doing?” he asked.
As she started to answer, she caught sight of Madeleine, her head hung low as she finished pulling on her tank top. “I’m okay. Please, go be with Madeleine.”
Rowan opened his mouth, to argue Reagan assumed, but Mom walked up. “We should go be with Winona.”
“Yes, we should.” Reagan leaned close, kissed Rowan on the cheek, and whispered, “Please, go be with Madeleine. I’ll see you later.”
As she turned, he grabbed her hand and pulled her back in. He kissed her. “Go be with your sister. She needs you.”
She watched him go.
“Sweetie?”
“Um, yes, sorry,” she said, refocusing on her mom. “Where’s Winona?”
“I just dropped her off. Jessica and Sam are with her. I wanted to make sure you got back okay, but we really should go be with her.”
During the run back, Reagan had tried to figure out many things. One of which was how her mom ended up in the battle.
“Hey, why did you come? I mean, I’m so glad you did, but it was dangerous.”
“I’d taken a nap, not too long after you left, and I had the same vision, except this time, the face was clearer. I saw Ricardo. When I woke, I went to Dad and explained. I told him the location you’d told me. By the way, I want to talk about that.”
Even with war looming, Mom was going to give her daughter a lecture about trust. “Mom, we had a plan. Maybe not the best plan, as it turned out, but we needed to know who the traitor was. Now we do.”
“Anyway, he went to Lucent, and well, you know the rest. Dad didn’t want me to come, but I wasn’t about to stand back while someone tried to hurt my girls.”
“When you say girls, you mean Madeleine, too, don’t you?” Reagan knew it the second her mom said the word.
“Yes, I do. I didn’t fight hard enough for my family when I was younger. Too afraid to embrace who I am. My destiny. But I will not be scared anymore. You girls have been through too much, and I will not have it. My mother protected us, and I won’t let her death be in vain. No one else will hurt my family.” If Reagan didn’t know better, she’d have sworn her mother had wolf blood. Her lips curled, and her eyes turned a piercing shade of green. With the last few words, she’d punched her fist against her thigh.
A smile began at one corner of Reagan’s lips and then spread to a full-blown grin. She always knew her mother had it in her. After all, she was Nana’s daughter.
“I’m so proud of you,” Reagan said.
“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to say?” Mom put an arm around her daughter’s shoulder just as they stepped into Winona’s room.
As soon as Reagan saw her sister, and the tears streaking down her face, Reagan bolted across the room. She threw her arms around her sister and squeezed, soft drops landing on Reagan’s shoulder as her sister’s body heaved. Stroking her hair, Reagan saying, “Shhh. I’m here.”
Mom had joined in, creating a cocoon of strength around her daughters.
Nobody said a word. As Winona’s body began to relax, Reagan slowly pulled away, pushing back stray hairs as she reached up to wipe away the leftover moisture on her sister’s face.
“I just never thought…”
“None of us did,” Reagan said.
“I let him touch me.” Sobs wracked Winona’s body. Reagan wished she could kill Ricardo again. “And Sasha…”
“If you can talk about it, what do you remember? Did anything seem strange when it was just the three of you, especially now that you’re looking back?” Reagan realized there could be some clues, something that could help in their fight with Rafe.
“It’s all I’ve thought about since I saw him… well, since earlier. But I do remember him and Sasha fighting right before we got split up. I thought it was because they differed about plans. You know how those two were.” She sniffed. “Anyway, when we ran away, Sasha tried to talk to me, but then we were ambushed. She said something about getting me to safety.” More sniffing.
Mom got a couple of tissues and handed them to Winona.
“Thank you. I wondered what she meant, but I guess it was Ricardo. Why didn’t she just tell me?”
Reagan had the same question. It made sense, yet it didn’t. A strong voice inside screamed at Reagan. She’d touched Sasha just before she died, had sensed terrible pain and very dark images. With everything that’d happened since, she hadn’t thought to get someone to try to access those memories, to see if Sasha had been able to share something crucial.
But it wasn’t the time to ask for Winona’s help. Reagan would give her sister the night to heal and ask her in the morning.
“We talk about faith,” Winona said, bringing Reagan back out of her thoughts. “But I don’t know what to believe in anymore.”
Just then, Madeleine walked in, Rowan right behind her. “We wanted to check in,” he said.
With almost the same movements Reagan had made earlier, Madeleine crossed to Winona and held her. “I’m so sorry.”
They pulled apart, and Mom embraced Madeleine. “How are you doing?
”
She sat down on the bed, taking Winona’s hand. “I can’t believe Mom… a vampire, and part of Rafe’s crew. I…”
“I’m so sorry.” Reagan wished she had something more comforting to say. “Can I do anything to help?”
“A part of me wants to curl into a ball and feel sorry for myself. But I can’t. I have to make Rafe pay for what he’s done to me, to Amélie, to my mom and dad. And to you, all of you. You’re all the family I have left. And I can’t, won’t, let him hurt anyone else. I know I should care about the world, save it from Hell and destruction. But right now, I just want to make him pay for destroying my world.”
“Interesting.” Mom spoke up. “I said something similar to Reagan earlier, although not as eloquently as you did. I told her I wouldn’t stand by and watch him hurt my girls again. And, Madeleine, that includes you.”
Madeleine’s face brightened for a minute, thanks to a half smile and a slight crinkling in of her eyes. But sadness swept back in, her mouth went back to neutral, and the sparkle in her eyes receded.
“Remember, sweetie, that wasn’t your mom. Not really,” Mom said.
Madeleine nodded. “I know. Still, it was hard to see her again after all these years. Not what I was expecting tonight. I knew we were trying to find a traitor, but I wasn’t expecting to find two.”
A breath caught in Reagan’s throat, and she struggled not to react. She didn’t want Madeleine to feel worse than she already did. How many more surprises did Rafe have in store for them?
Jessica and Sam stopped by, followed by Aunt Sarah and Dad. Finally, Papa poked his head in.
“Long day, huh?” he said.
Everyone seemed to stiffen, as if they were in their barracks and the commander just walked in. Sure, he was family, but even his footsteps resonated power and respect.
“First, I must commend Madeleine and Reagan for today’s plan. Although I would’ve preferred to have been part of it.” Reagan felt like a small child as she diverted her eyes from his scolding.
“Me, too,” Rowan said.
Her eyes darted around the room, trying to find someone to focus on, someone who would make her feel better, but even Winona cast her eyes down at the comment. Reagan and Madeleine had done what they thought was necessary, but Reagan couldn’t help feeling that they’d only undermined the trust on their team. Sometimes, she couldn’t win for losing.
“But without Susie’s vision and quick thinking, we might not have gotten there in time.” He smiled at Mom. “Rafe isn’t going to waste time now. We have to assume he knows about Winona, thanks to Ricardo, and is going to strike soon. He knows we aren’t at full strength. It’s what I would do.”
“I was thinking the same thing. We need to find a way to delay it,” Reagan said, thrilled to get back to planning and away from being in guilt’s spotlight.
“Yes. We want to dictate this war, not let him,” Madeleine said.
“I think it’s time to contact Cecilia and Mom again. Get their advice. They didn’t get us this far to leave us hanging now.”
Mom had a point. And they wouldn’t need to waste their time clearing anyone after the day’s events.
“It’s late. Everyone should get some rest, and then first thing tomorrow, you ladies do your thing, and the rest of us will work on preparing just in case. I won’t be caught unaware.”
One by one, everyone filed out of the room. Before Rowan left, Reagan asked if she could stop by and talk to him in a few. He nodded and left. She wanted to run after him and explain but didn’t want to leave Winona alone.
“Go. I’m going to stay with your sister tonight,” Mom said.
“Are you sure?” Reagan hated to leave, especially before she cleared the air. She walked over and took each of their hands. “Please know that I trust you both, completely. We just had to set a trap and try to endanger as few people as possible in doing it.”
“I understand, but can you promise me something?” Winona asked.
“Anything.” Reagan meant it.
“From now on, please, I want to be included in everything. You and Mom are all I have left.”
As soon as Winona said the word mom, Reagan saw the waterworks start down her mom’s face.
“I promise. We’re a team. We’ll have to be to take down Rafe.”
After a few hugs, Reagan sought out Rowan, hoping he’d be as accepting. She couldn’t stand the thought that she’d hurt him, although she knew she had.
When she came to his room, she gave a soft tap on his door before entering. “Hey, can I come in?”
“Sure,” he said, sitting up in bed and putting his arms behind his head, leaning into them. He just had sweatpants on.
She sat down on the bed and lay down next to him. He put his arms around her.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry, but I do wish you would’ve trusted me.”
Shifting her head up so she could look into his eyes, she rested her chin on his chest. “I do trust you. I wanted to tell you, but Madeleine and I needed to keep it simple. We don’t pretend to be the military strategists you and Papa are. Wait, I take that back. Madeleine might be offended by that statement, but I know I’m not.”
“That’s exactly why you should’ve come to me.” Rowan turned his focus to the ceiling, breaking their eye contact. “I need to know you trust me. Rafe didn’t. Ricardo didn’t. I love you too much…”
Pain. She’d caused him pain, and the thought tore at her heart. In its already weakened state, she wasn’t sure it could take much more.
“I love you. And I promise you I won’t go rogue again. I want to destroy Rafe for everything he’s done. He’s hurt too many people I love. The thought of losing anyone else…” Sobs took over, and she couldn’t stop it. Every emotion she’d felt came rushing forth, and she cried until all the tears drained away. When it finally stopped, she promised herself she was done crying.
“Any better?” he asked.
“I’m sorry.”
“Please, stop saying that. There’s nothing to be sorry about. I just want us on the same page. You mean too much to me for me not to be honest. I’ll always be honest with you, Tala. Always.”
“I know. And it means the world to me.” She pushed onto her forearms and lowered herself back onto him, their faces lined up. “What I was most sorry about was the crying. I’m done with it. Tears won’t win; they only play into Rafe’s hands. He wants us weak, and I refuse to be. I’m going to be about action and strength from this moment on. And I won’t let him rip my faith from me, no matter how hard he tries.”
A sexy grin spread across his face as he pulled her down to him.
Not long after, she crept down the hall to her bedroom, eager for a few hours of sleep. Just before she made it, she bumped into Sam.
“Well, well, sis,” he said, a smirk on his face.
She punched him on the arm. “Really, because you’ve been where exactly?”
“None of your business.” He chuckled.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“How did you know you could trust Jessica? After all, you knew about her bloodline.” Her brother risked everything to save Jessica, and Reagan wanted to know how her little brother had gotten so smart. The big sister asking the little brother for life advice. He’d never let her live it down.
“Whoa, a bit heavy for so late.” He seemed to sense she wasn’t joking. “Ah, I get it. Catching some grief from everyone, are you?”
She nodded.
“I didn’t know. I hoped. When I saw her past the test, I can’t even tell you how relieved I was. I had faith, but I doubted. But if you tell her, I’ll deny it.”
“I won’t. I swear.” Reagan put up her pinkie finger. “Pinkie swear.”
“Wow. You are serious.” He grinned as he joined his pinkie to hers. Then, they hugged.
“We should get some sleep.”
“And there’s big sis.”
She punched his arm again. Exhausted, she tiptoed into her room and crawled into bed, hoping the next day would bring answers.
ↄↄↄↄↄ
“Reagan, you up?”
Cave life had the disadvantage of no sunlight, so waking up usually involved alarm clocks or friendly faces.
“Yes, getting there,” Reagan said, prying her eyes open to see Winona. “How did you sleep?”
“Not too bad, considering. Mom tossed and turned all night.”
Reagan noticed her mom still asleep in the room’s lone chair. Guilty about sleeping through her distress, Reagan got to her feet and went to check. She touched her mom’s hair. “Mom?”
She bolted out of the chair, almost knocking Reagan over.
“Sorry,” Mom said as she tried to gain her footing.
“Rough night?” Reagan offered her mom a hand.
She took it and steadied herself. “Yes, well, no. Mom came to visit. She told me, well, maybe this would be better.”
Winona joined them.
Nana’s face came into view. She told Mom Sasha was with them in Heaven. And she wanted Reagan to know that crucial information was within her. Then, Nana said she’d share more when they contacted them later. The vision ended with Nana saying, “I love you.”
Reagan hated to drop her hand and let the image of Nana go, but everything faded to black. Desiring light, Reagan opened her eyes.
“I always hate to see her go,” she said.
“Me, too.” Mom squeezed Reagan’s hand before dropping it.
Remembering Sasha’s message, Reagan turned to Winona. “Even before the vision, I had a feeling there was something Sasha wanted me to know. And I think it goes much deeper than Ricardo.” Reagan remembered how Sasha squeaked out his name. At the time, Reagan thought it was because her friend was calling for him, her best friend. Not trying to let everyone know about his treachery.
Directing the gaze at Winona, Reagan tried to read her sister’s exhaustion level. Seeing the weight in her drooped shoulders and slow movements, hope that she’d prefer to throw herself back in the game than have time to think of other things rose to the surface.
Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series Page 59
