The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,18
whipped cream loaded waffle and gave Dad an appreciative smile.
“It looks amazing.”
He hurried to get his plate, and Mom picked up her fork, trailing it through the cream and chocolate.
“This is divine, Jason. Thank you for cooking for us.”
“Your pleasure is my pleasure.”
I fought not to react. It wasn’t easy when bile was riding the elevator up my throat.
“Adira told me you went to the Roost last night. Did you enjoy yourself?” Mom asked.
“Not really.”
“I don’t blame you. That place is atrocious.”
Given what I’d seen on the walls, I couldn’t disagree.
“The environment didn’t ruin it for me as much as knowing that Adira has Yem watching me now.”
“Who’s Yem?” Dad asked.
I knew that suspicious tone.
“It’s the adult who supervises the youth at the club we go to after school. Not a boy.”
“Oh. Okay. That’s good.”
Mom noted the pity on my face and reached out to give my hand a squeeze.
“Your father loves you and worries about you like we all do. His understanding is just limited by his beliefs. There’s nothing wrong with him.”
“Of course there’s not,” he agreed. “Your mother and I might believe different things, but our love for you and each other is unwavering.”
I tugged my hand from under Mom’s and took a bite of waffle.
“Because of Adira’s monitoring, I feel like a bug trapped in a jar,” I said after I swallowed, intent on returning to the original subject. “It’s suffocating me.”
Mom made a sympathetic noise.
“Maybe my news will cheer you up.” She waited until I looked at her. “I’m building a better place for us. Something far classier than Uttira deserves. Would you like to see it?”
I stared at her for a moment in complete shock.
“You’re building something in Uttira?” I set my fork aside, no longer able to pretend. “How long are you staying, Mom? How long are you going to keep doing this?” I flicked a glance at Dad. “You said if I did what you wanted, that you’d leave.”
Mom sighed.
“I did leave. But, I have no intention of raising another child outside of Uttira. Your father is willing to stay here and help me raise this one. Together.”
I was so angry I had to look down at the table to keep my father from seeing how my eyes flickered to black.
“I expected lies from everyone else, but not from you, Mom.”
I stood to leave and jumped when a set of strong arms wrapped around me. My dad cradled my head to his chest as he shook.
“I did this to you,” he said softly. “I lost myself after your mother went away and left you to care for yourself. You’re not alone now. We’re both here for you.” He leaned close so his mouth was next to my ear. “Please don’t send me away.”
Hearing those words, I silently raged at the world. At my place in it and at my inability to untangle this web around me. In my heart, I wanted to save my father, but in my head, I knew he was already far past saving. If I insisted Mom send him back to the human world, even with a mind wipe, he would waste away. Yet, if he stayed here, he would never be more than my mom’s slave, no matter how much she tried to tell me otherwise.
In reality, my father had lost himself a long time ago.
Circling my arms around his waist, I hugged him in return.
“I love you, Dad. Mom won’t send you away again. She’ll keep you like you want.”
A shudder ran through him, and I silently cried for the man he’d once been.
“Jason, darling, will you clean up for me while Eliana and I go to the worksite. When I come home, we can watch one of those movies you like.”
He released me immediately and went to Mom, offering his hand to help her stand.
“I would like to go with you.” There was no mistaking the desperate plea in his tone.
She smiled lovingly at him and kissed him gently on the mouth.
I turned away from the pair, wiped my tears, and went to collect my jacket. Behind me, I was surprised to hear Mom agree to wait for him. While he hurried to clean up our mostly uneaten breakfasts, she joined me by the door.
Some of my doubt must have shown on my face.
“I know it’s hard for you to believe, but I do want him to be happy.”
“Why? He tastes better that way?” The bitterness in my tone surprised me and hurt her.