Page 55 of The Vixen

“She nodded and sighed but not in a sad way. Just trust me… She was relieved.”

Relieved. Not glad, just relieved.

“Of course I trust you,” I’m quick to say.

He pauses a moment. “She asked me to tell her when it’s done.”

“She didn’t ask to be present?”

He shakes his head. “Nope.”

“Did she say anything else?”

“No. It seemed like a good time to leave.”

I nod slowly, lips pursing while I process.

Relieved…

She wants Sawyer dead. Truly.

But not out of revenge. Out offear. He is the ghost who won’t stop haunting her, just as she claimed. She didn’t lie to me.

Interesting.

“Should I go break the news to him?” Thorne asks, perking up. I almost wish I hadn’t spoken to Sawyer, just to give Thorne the treat he’s after. But of course, it’s Sawyer’s reaction I needed most.

“No. I did it myself.”

Silence pierces the room for a few seconds.

“And?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

“What did he say?”

My tongue runs over a patch of dead skin on my bottom lip, copper teasing my tastebuds. I haven’t been drinking enough water. “With Sawyer, it’s not about what he says. It’s about what he wants you to see… He wanted me to think he was afraid but not for her specifically. He doesn’t want Liberty dead, but he doesn’t want me to know that… I think she’s important to him. I just don’t know why.”

“Then let’s kill her before we have to find out.”

My fingers drum the armrests of my chair. Instead of replying, I stand and go to the curtains.

“I want you to find out what you can about her. He mentioned her master’s name is Jasper—fact check that. He also spoke of a deceased friend named Angel, maybe another woman from the island.”

“Why don’t you do it?”

Pulling one curtain so its folds are symmetrical with the other, I eye it carefully and take my time to respond. His voice isn’t sharp or resentful. It’s inquisitive. It’s unlike me to offload this kind of work onto him or anyone else.

“Father is displeased with the time I’ve spent on this issue… He’d like me to return my focus to acquiring new initiates.”

“Allyour focus?” Thorne asks. The compassion in his tone makes my legs feel heavier. Suddenly, I wish his arms were around me, just so I could fold.

It doesn’t matter how much he hates my involvement with Sawyer. He’ll support the mission for as long as I need him to. Publicly.

“Yes… You’re taking over my work with the breeders. Father will call an official meeting with you tomorrow to deliver the news.”

I back away from the curtain only to return, fiddling with the heavy, black velvet. It will never be right, but tomorrow, I’ll be stronger. I won’t be so bothered.