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“WHO’S THAT WITH KIM?” Hugh didn’t envy Jackson. Kim’s eyes were narrowed and her stride was stiff. Females only got that angry with their mates. It was going to be fun watching the Guard attempt to get out of whatever mess he’d made.
“I don’t know,” said Trinity. “I’ve never seen them before, but she has some new Guards. Everyone except Casper and Carla joined the rebellion and live here or at the other camp.”
“Other camp? There’s another camp?” He looked at Jackson but the Guard was staring at the furious female heading his way.
“At least she’s traveling with Guards this time,” said Trinity.
“Big ones,” he said.
Those Guards were all muscle and if the scowls meant anything, mean. One had a bulky sack thrown over his shoulder.
“She’s being smart and you need to be too.” Trinity turned toward him. “It’s no longer safe for Almightys to travel in the forest, especially alone.”
“Yeah, I’ve been told.” He continued to watch Kim and Jackson. Something was wrong. Jackson should be nervous or ready to beg for forgiveness, but instead the Guard looked like he’d just found out his best friend was dead.
“I’m not kidding. It’s as bad in the forest as it is in the city and not because of the predators. There are packs of Guards and House Servants running wild out here. Most are with us but they don’t always listen to what we tell them.”
“Then you need to manage your army better. A soldier should always obey his superiors.”
Kim was getting closer. Jackson looked ready to bolt.
“We thought we had a solution to that problem.”
He cringed. Her tone left no question as to how she felt about his refusal to help. Suddenly, Jackson turned as if to flee.
“You...you...how could you?” whispered Kim.
The soft sound stopped Jackson in his tracks better than any shout. His back stiffened as if she’d struck him and he turned around. “I had to.”
Kim shoved him, knocking him back a step. “You did not have to. You wanted this.” Tears streamed down her cheeks and she pushed him again. “You chose this.”
Jackson grabbed her, pulling her close.
“Let me go.” She struggled in his grasp.
“It’s for the best. You know that,” said Jackson, his face buried in her hair.
“No.” She pulled free, stumbling backward. “That’s a lie.”
This wasn’t some little spat. Jackson looked like he was having his heart ripped out and Kim didn’t look any better. This wasn’t amusing. He placed his hand on Trinity’s arm. “We should give them some privacy.”
“What? Why?”
“Couples fight. We don’t need to watch.”
“You don’t get it, do you?” Kim turned toward him.
He had no idea what she was talking about, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know. Her anger had turned into sorrow and it was soul-deep.
“It’s all over the news. They know who was involved,” said Kim.
“Oh...” He glanced at Trinity. She’d already been a fugitive, but Jackson hadn’t. “Jackson, you shouldn’t—”
“It’s not your fault. I’m glad you’re free.” Kim wiped the tears from her cheeks and hugged him. “It’s good to see you, Hugh.”
His arms wrapped around her. Her hug felt good. It felt real, like she actually cared about him. Jackson’s hand landed on his shoulder and he took that as a hint to break the embrace. “It’s good to see you too.”
“I have a present for you.” Kim motioned to her Guards.
The one carrying the sack came forward and handed it to Hugh. It was heavy and stuffed full of clothes, blankets, shoes, and he wasn’t sure what else.
“Thank you.” The thoughtfulness almost took his breath away. He cleared his throat. “This is...I never thought,”—he glanced to include Trinity and Jackson—“never expected any of this and I am eternally thankful.” It didn’t matter that they’d freed him for their cause. They’d saved his life and for that he was grateful.
“Not enough to help us,” said Trinity under her breath.
Jackson elbowed her in the ribs and she squeaked, sending the Guard a dirty look.
“I’ll tell Mom.” Kim either didn’t hear Trinity or was ignoring her. “She packed it and told me to bring it to you.” Her eyes hardened as they landed on Jackson who’d moved closer to her. She shifted, blocking the Guard from the conversation. “Hopefully, the stuff fits. Mom sent several different sizes.” She studied Hugh. “You’ve lost weight.”
“Jail didn’t agree with me.”
“Still the same old Hugh.” She kissed his cheek. “I really am glad you’re safe.”
Jackson glared at him like it was his fault she’d kissed him.
“There are some of Jethro’s old clothes in here.” Kim took the bag from him, searching through it. “These should fit you now.” She glanced up smiling. “And when you fill out again, there are others.” She handed him a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt but continued to dig in the bag. She pulled out a rolled-up blanket. “Mom also sent this. She said that Dad had been so happy when you’d complimented him on his choice.” Her voice cracked. “It was his favorite.”
He didn’t recall complimenting Benedictine on anything, but he accepted the blanket and unwrapped a bottle of whiskey. It was a cheaper brand than he used to drink, but it had been good. “Thank you again.” He put it back in the sack. “How are you and your family doing?”
“Good. I mean, it’s hard, but...I know my dad wasn’t perfect, but he was good to us.” She glanced at Jackson and then down at her hands. “Jethro took it the hardest. He’s angry and he blames...” Her eyes darted to Trinity and then to him. “I think deep down he blames himself.”
“None of this was his fault.” Admitting all this didn’t get easier with time. “It was mine. I brought Conguise into your lives and he was the one who told your father about Gaar and Mirra.”
“It wasn’t your fault. Dad...did what he did and things got out of control.”
“Still...” Yes, Benedictine had brought some of it on himself when he’d tortured Mirra and Gaar, but the rest of the guilt sat stubbornly at his door.
“You were trying to save Trinity. You didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” said Kim.
That was true, but that didn’t make him blameless in what had happened and what might still happen. “How is your brother doing physically?” Has he sprouted claws or a tail, yet? He hadn’t mentioned his concerns about what the professor had injected into the boy to anyone. He prayed that they were unfounded.
“Good. Really good. He’s in college now and active in a lot of sports.”
“Oh? What kind?” Please don’t say swimming. Scar had needed to be in water at the end and the other creatures in the lab had looked like they’d belonged in the water too.
“All kinds. Track, soccer, fencing and swimming. He loves swimming.” Kim laughed. “He’s taken to the water like he was born to it.”
He swallowed around a lump in his throat. That was not good.
“Mom worries a little that something will happen and he’ll lose the use of his legs, but Conguise says that he’s doing great. Fabulous actually.”
“He still sees the professor? How often?” It’d been over four years since the surgery. Jethro shouldn’t have to see his doctor except for minor checkups.
“Not as much now that he’s in college, but when he’s home, he sees the professor a lot.” A slight frown marred Kim’s brow.
“And you don’t like that?” He didn’t, but he had no idea why Kim wouldn’t. She’d been Viola’s best friend and had spent a lot of time around the professor.
“No, I don’t.” Her eyes darted to Jackson and she flushed. “Conguise has archaic beliefs about the other classes and...Jethro is young and impressionable, especially to the professor’s opinions.”
“He’s not that young.” The boy had to be a man by now. “He’s what? Twenty-one.”
“Almost twenty-three, but you don’t understand. He’s grown close to Conguise. He waited a semester before starting college and he spent a lot of time with Conguise. At first, he went over there so the professor could monitor his progress after the surgery, but I think he kept going because they helped each other work through their losses.” She paled a bit. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“No. Don’t be sorry. You can say her name. Viola. It’s fine.” But it wasn’t and everyone knew it.
“That wasn’t your fault either,” said Kim.
He held up his hand and shook his head. He couldn’t discuss this. Not now. Maybe, not ever.
“Is Jethro home from college?” asked Trinity, flushing slightly.
“He came home last night.” Kim’s eyes softened as they looked at the other girl and there was a hint of pity on her face.
“Trinity, if Jethro listens to Conguise, you need to stay away from him. The professor has to hate you almost as much as me.” Perhaps more. The professor disliked the other classes, considered them lower beings. Conguise would blame everyone but himself for his daughter’s death.
“I wasn’t going to go see him. I’m not stupid. I don’t even care that he’s home. I was just asking.” Trinity’s face heated with embarrassment.
It was obvious that she was still enamored with the lad. He’d speak with her later and explain how dangerous that was but there was no reason to talk about it now and embarrass her further. He turned toward Kim. “Tell your mom thank you for the clothes. It was very thoughtful and unexpected.” He barely knew Martha Remore, having only met her a few times at society functions.
“She’s grateful to you for taking all the blame for what happened that night. Jethro”—her eyes fell on Trinity for a second—“and I told Mom everything.”
“It would’ve been stupid and foolish—”
“We know, we know. They can only kill you once.” Jackson smiled at him and Kim.
“Who invited you into this conversation?” Kim glared at the Guard. “Just go away.”
“Kim, don’t be like this. You don’t have to hate me.” Jackson looked as if he’d been kicked in the face.
“You’re not allowed to speak to me. Ever.” Tears pooled in her eyes. “If you had told me...we could’ve done something. Covered your absence or something but”—her voice cracked—“you didn’t even say goodbye.” She ran off toward the woods, her Guards following her.
Jackson took a step in her direction and stopped, his shoulders slumping. “This is for the best.”
“You’re an idiot.” Trinity trotted after Kim who’d stopped at the edge of camp.