Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(88)

“We’re both Wiccan,” he said. “Share the same moral principles. Your parents like me, and mine…”

His pause confirmed what she’d always known. “And your parents don’t like me. Your mom doesn’t.”

Guilt filled his eyes again.

“Why doesn’t she like me?” Were Miranda’s fumbled spells common knowledge to everyone?

He finally spoke up. “She found out your parents weren’t married.”

“Wow,” Miranda said. “I thought it was because … I’m a screwball. I didn’t even consider that.” She chuckled. “That makes me feel

better.”

He looked at her as if she’d lost her mind, and considering the stress she was under, it was a possibility.

Before she could stop herself, she said, “Can you imagine what your mom is going to think about you dating the Lily girl who’s part human and

vampire?”

He frowned. “I told you, I’m not interested in her.”

Miranda looked at him and saw the truth again. “I’m not trying to be ugly. But I think you are interested. You might not have acted on it,

but now that we’re not … together, I’d like you to be happy.” And she meant it, too. Angry Miranda had completely left the building.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out.

“For what?” he asked.

“For being upset about the flowers thing. I didn’t have that right.”

He focused on the woods again. “I was attracted to her more than I should have been.”

“Then why not … try to make it work with her?”

He laughed. “We just broke up and already you’re trying to fix me up with someone? That’s just wrong.”

“You’re a great guy, Shawn. You deserve to be happy. Della said it wasn’t just your pheromones polluting the air.”

He seemed to consider that. Then he shook his head. “It wouldn’t work.”

“Why? Because she isn’t all Wiccan?”

“No. Well … maybe.”

Miranda studied him. “I didn’t think you were prejudiced?”

“I’m not. I just think it would be easier to be with someone of my own kind.”

“Easier isn’t always the best choice.” Perry wasn’t easy. And he was right for her.

“My mom wouldn’t…” He bit down on his lip again.

“I didn’t see you as a mama’s boy, either.”

He made a scratchy disapproving sound that came from the back of his throat. “I’m not.”

“Then decide what you want. Don’t let your mother’s opinions override what you feel.”

*

While waiting for the bus to arrive to take the unconscious gang members to the Houston FRU headquarters, Perry had gotten a text from his dad

informing him that tomorrow’s meeting with Jax wasn’t happening until four.

Why? Was Jax busy moving? He texted his dad back: Meet you at three.

But damn it, Perry had really hoped it would have been finished tonight. Burnett hoped to get something from the prisoners, but Perry’s gut

said it was a wash.

The Houston FRU headquarters wasn’t that different from the one in Fallen. Except the rules. The only one allowed to watch the interviews was

Agent Tobler. Hayden had left.

The rest of them were directed to the waiting room. Perry hadn’t been in the mood to sit. Instead he informed them he was going to fly around

to blow off steam. His gut hadn’t unknotted from the whole takedown. Or maybe it wasn’t just that.

Maybe it was everything.

He had a brother who excelled at murder. His mom was an evil bitch. His father … that’s the one that hurt. He almost seemed to care.

And Perry was about to get all their asses tossed in prison.

They deserved it.

He had to do it.

Yet he still wasn’t even sure what it was supposed to prove. Or was it even about proving anything? Was Burnett right? Perry sought revenge?

He found a spot in back of the building, shifted, and took flight.

The moon hung heavy in the sky. He flew high, low, darted through trees. He flew hard. He flew until he didn’t think about anything but how

good it felt to soar. Flew, until the weight he carried in his heart felt as light as the feathers on his back.

Landing in the same place, he shifted back, ran a hand through his windblown hair, and went to find everyone.

He walked in, nodded at Kylie, Della, and Chase, and plopped down in a chair.

“You heard anything?” he asked.

Della chuckled. “Yeah, there’s been sightings of a pink polka dotted elephant in the area.”

“Seriously?” Had someone besides the three perps seen him? Burnett was going to be pissed. Perry had messed up again.

“No,” Della laughed. “I just think it’s funnier than hell.”

He sat back in the chair. “It’s not funny.”

“Why shift into that?” Chase asked, a smile in his voice, even when it wasn’t on his face.

“Why do you care? I saved your asses, didn’t I? I took the bullets instead of you or Burnett.”

Chase sobered quickly. “Yeah you did. We’re fast, but I’m not sure we’re as fast as three AK-47s. I didn’t mean to piss you off.”