Psy (Alien Castaways #3) - Cara Bristol Page 0,47

away with it.

Mentira hadn’t merely broken the Code of Honor, she’d shattered it then walked over the shards. She’d violated the code daily for more than two decades. She had ravaged Cassie’s mind, robbed her of her parents, stolen her past.

Veritals were forbidden to abuse their power, to use it against others. He’d broken the code when he’d confronted Cassie and forced his way into her mind and erased the lies. But he’d done it to free her, to restore what had been stolen.

Cassie deserved justice. He and Mysk couldn’t provide it. Nor could Earth. But together…it might work. A plan started to take shape. “I won’t let her get away with it!” he said as he pulled out his phone.

Mysk answered immediately.

“I need your help.” Psy quickly recapped what Mentira had done and outlined his plan. “I have no right to ask you to do this but—”

“I can be there in twenty minutes.”

That was fast! “You’re not in Seattle?” The headquarters and flagship factory of Mysk Industries was located in Washington’s most populous city, more than three hundred miles away.

“No, I am. But we completed our CUF prototype. The compact urban flyer can be cloaked like a hover scooter, but it’s much, much faster. Where should I meet you?”

“Timeless Treasures. It’s an antique store on Main Street in Argent.”

He’d no sooner ended the call than Cassie’s phone chimed with a text. Her lips tightened. Mentira. She wants to know what’s taking me so long.

“Can you stall her for another half hour? Mysk and I will pay her a visit while you stay here with Verna.”

I’m not staying here. I’m going.

I can’t risk your safety. Mentira would target her immediately when she realized her mind had been cleansed of her lies.

I have to do this! I need to look her in the eyes and tell her I know what she did to me, and it is not okay. I want her to see that she failed! She lifted her chin.

He wished she would stay at Timeless Treasures. Mentira was dangerous. He’d seen what she was capable of. Who knew what she’d do when confronted and cornered?

But Cassie had lost so much. How could he deny her closure? He would just have to protect her.

Chapter Twenty

Striding up the walk, Cassie’s palms grew damp, and her stomach fluttered with nerves, but the vengeful fire burning in her gut fueled her determination. How dare Mentira rob her of family, of freedom, of her voice? The woman who supposedly had longed for a baby, had stolen one and then violated her. Psy and Edwin Mysk would ensure she paid for her crimes, but Cassie desired the first shot.

She had rehearsed what she would do when she confronted Mentira.

At first, Psy had been opposed to her seeing the other woman alone, but he’d understood and accepted she needed to do this to reclaim her life, her past, and her future, so he agreed to help her. That’s how a person who loved you acted. They supported you. They didn’t plant lies in your head to undermine your independence and self-determination.

The screen door banged as she entered the house to discover Mentira had made considerable progress in packing up. No doubt she rushed to get out of town before Psy discovered her crimes. Too late! He already had.

Scores of new boxes had been sealed, labeled, and stacked against the wall. The tower of cartons served as a reminder of the outrage perpetuated against her. She desired to take nothing from this house, with the exception of her cookie jar, and, out of necessity, clothing.

Carrying another box, Mentira entered from the kitchen. “You were gone way longer than I expected. I hope the old witch paid you.”

Anger and loathing, already in abundance, swelled on Verna’s behalf, but Cassie willed her expression into blankness and nodded, while studying her abductor with blinders off. Although Mentira almost always wore colored lenses to conceal her irises, her eyes were naked today, so there was no mistaking her Verital genetics. The extra-large, near-black irises were obvious. But unlike Psy’s warmth and caring, or Edwin Mysk’s concern, Mentira exuded ruthlessness.

She hefted the box atop a stack. “The moving van comes in two days. You’ll need to pack up your room—and there’s no sense taking that ugly cookie jar. Throw it away.” She pulled her brows together in an irritated frown. “Why are you standing there? Get busy. We lost a lot of time while you dillydallied at the junk store.”

With slow deliberation,