Page 38 of Scarlet Wars
“I know that,” James hissed through gritted teeth. “That’s not what bothers me.”
I raised a brow. “What bothers you, then?”
His gaze flicked toward the portal Emma had vanished through. “If she’s lashing out at us, she won’t let us be there for her.”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I think this is how we’re there for her. Losing people you love...it makes you angry. At everything. Grief doesn’t just make you sad, it heightens everyemotion you’ve got, including anger. Trust me, her lashing out at us, it’s good.”
James’s green orbs found mine, narrowing slightly. “Speaking from experience?”
I shrugged, the weight of old memories settling over me. “I had a family once.”
James nodded, his expression softening, thoughtful. “I didn’t.”
Silence hung between us for a moment, the weight of both our histories settling in.
And just like that, some sort of weird-ass truce was born.
I’d meantit when I told James lashing out was the best thing for her right now. But deep down, I shared his concern. She needed someone to be there when the anger finally burned out.
“I need you to portal in here.” My words sounded strained later that night, while I gripped my Nexus as if it were my only lifeline.
Sean stilled for a beat, before his brows furrowed. “Why?”
“Because Emma needs you right now.” I paused. “She’s grieving hard as fuck, and she’s lashing out at me and James.”
Sean’s expression shifted. “Lashing out?”
“Yeah,” I huffed. “She brought up Coastal, saying I was the king of the gray zone, whatever the hell that means.”
“Christ, Caden… Don’t ye think it’s time ye told her the truth about Coastal?”
I clenched my jaw, the familiar wave of impatience rising. “I swear, Sean, you ask me one more time, and I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you ever use your tongue for.”
He sighed deeply, the weight of his frustration evident. “It’s not right.”
“I don’t give a fucking shit.”
“Don’t ye think she should know?—”
“Sean! What did I just say?”
He finally piped down, his gaze dropping for a second. “Fine. What do ye need?”
I let out a breath, the tension in my chest still simmering. “As I said, you need to portal into Kanata C. She needs you, brother. She was catatonic for days, but now she’s raging, which is fine, but I’m scared she’s going to…” I paused, my throat tightening. “Just get your ass in here.”
My mind began racing with memories, each one worse than the last, the fear clawing at the edges of my thoughts. Before I could go further down that spiral, Sean cut through.
“Caden… She’s not Rose.”
I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back the flood of emotion that threatened to break loose. “I know that.”
Sean didn’t even flinch. “Really? 'Cause yer acting like ye don’t.”
My pulse quickened, anger bubbling to the surface. “Please don’t psycho-babble me.”
“That’s not even a word,” he shot back, and I could hear the irritation in his tone.
“Whatever,” I muttered, feeling the tension coiling tighter. “I’m not in the mood for this. Portal in as soon as possible.”
