fucking him up even more with a rigid schedule, but it’s what he needs. I think once he learns how to write properly, we can figure out if he wants to do sign language or learn how to talk. It might be too late for verbal communication. He’s got a lot of trauma, and I think he was punished for making noise. That’s not something you can easily undo.”
“It sounds like he’s got a good teacher. I don’t think Shepherd could have done it alone.”
“Yeah, sometimes love isn’t enough to fix what’s broken.” Switch leaned his shoulder against the wall by the window and gave me a look I couldn’t discern with those wolfish brown eyes. “I know Hunter’s my job, but you’re my friend. It’s not easy sitting at home, wondering if you’re hurt. Seeing the others go looking for you and not being able to help.”
“Your job isn’t to look after me, Switch.”
“It sure as hell is.” He folded his arms, his dark eyebrows slanting down. “It’s my job as your friend. We’re still friends, aren’t we?”
“Just don’t go relaying stuff to my father. I tell him what he needs to know, but that’s it. He’s human, Switch. Don’t forget that. You might feel loyalty to him because your father is friends with him, but look how much he’s aged because of stress and worry. I contributed to some of that. He already knows my job is dangerous, but I don’t want him involved. I just want to give him everything he needs to be happy.”
“All he needs is you.”
“I know he came around here looking for me. If I find out that you two have a pact—”
“We don’t have a pact. He showed up on his own. Your old man has visions or some shit. I heard rumors years ago that he had a dream around the time you went missing. Or maybe it was before.” Switch heaved a sigh. “But I know where you’re coming from. Crush is a tough son of a bitch, but you’re right. He doesn’t need to worry around the clock. That’s why I had Christian call him last night and let him know that you were okay.” Switch stepped closer and let his arms fall to his sides. “You have my word. In fact, secrecy is part of my contract. You should have seen what Viktor made me sign. It looked like the Declaration of fucking Independence. I signed it, he signed it, an alpha from the local council signed it, Christian signed it.”
“Why Christian?”
“They needed a witness. Viktor wanted to let the Shifter authorities know about the agreement, but Christian will be the one who scrubs my memories if I bail early.”
“I didn’t have to sign anything.”
“No, you probably signed something in blood.”
“Actually…” Then I cut myself off, deciding not to tell Switch about our blood ceremony and tattoos. Viktor probably wanted something more official for Switch since he was also helping to rebuild his reputation among the local packs.
I steered my gaze outside and reached up for the heart-shaped ruby around my neck. Christian had put it on while I slept, and it gave me reassurance to wake up with it, making me feel like myself again. I thought about the Shifters we freed and hoped they were having a nice big meal tonight.
“How do you know if you can really trust someone?” I asked.
As Gem floated on her back, Niko stood nearby, holding her hand.
“I don’t know. I guess you just feel it in your gut.”
My brain told me that Houdini was behind my burial, but my gut wasn’t so sure.
“I was wrong about Christian.” Switch took a step behind me so that I couldn’t see his face anymore. “He really does love you.”
As he walked off, I watched Niko and Gem for a short while, expecting him to let go of her hand, but he never did. Deciding that he’d probably noticed my light in the window and might find it intrusive, I walked up to the third floor and headed to my room.
“I thought you were going to eat something.” Christian fell into step beside me.
“I changed my mind. I just needed to talk to Viktor and smooth things over.” After a pregnant pause, I asked a question I’d been avoiding. “Do you know who buried me?”
“I’m surprised you haven’t asked if it was me.” When I didn’t answer, he stepped in front of me and held a serious look. “Ask me.”