Anarchy (Hive Trilogy, #2)(51)
“So you ran?”
He nodded, those blond braids scattered through his thick tresses of hair flying around. “I ran. But I always came back, checking in, making sure you were cared for. I deposited small amounts of money, never enough that anyone would check into you. If either of you ever needed me, I would have been there.”
Like the night I was attacked. I stood then, unable to remain sitting, and took a step into his personal space. He didn’t move back; his eyes tracked across my face, as if memorizing me.
“Thank you for saving me from those ash,” I said, needing him to know that I remembered. “I have no idea what would have happened if you weren’t there.”
I could see sprinkles of tears in my mom’s eyes, and the sight hurt my heart. I cleared my throat, blinking a few times to get myself under control.
Carter nodded, placing a hand on my arm. In that moment no words were needed.
“One more question,” I managed to mumble out. “How the hell am I a female ash? And what do you know about my blood?”
I was more than ready for these answers, and I damn well hoped Carter had them.
Chapter 11
Ryder, Kyle, and Sam were lingering closer now. No one wanted to miss his answer. Carter hesitated at first, and then more than one emotion crossed his face. The strongest was sadness and confusion.
Dammit! He didn’t know.
He held both hands up to me, as if trying to appease the resting bitch face I was rocking. “I’m sorry, Charlie, I wish I knew how this happened to you. I have never fathered any other children, and know of no living direct offspring from Originals.” His eyes narrowed and I was under a shrewd sort of surveillance. “What’s special about your blood?”
He had obviously picked up on that little slip. My eyes flicked to Ryder, and he gave a slight shake of his head. Okay, we were still on the “trust no one” road. As I turned back to Carter, my mind already trying to figure out what to say to cover my tracks, my eyes brushed over Sam.
His features were more pinched than usual, and he was fidgeting, which was so unlike his normal behavior. What the hell was he hiding?
I was totally going to jump on his ass soon, and not in any sort of fun way. I would literally hold him down until he spilled. More and more I was trusting the silent and deadly enforcer, but until he fessed up to whatever secret held him so tightly, there would always be some suspicion in my mind.
Giving him squinty eyes, I let out a huff of air before turning back to Carter. He was still waiting for my special blood explanation. “Uh, I was really just hoping you’d know why the Quorum keeps ordering tests on my blood. They said I’m not showing the blood of an ash. They’re probably trying to figure out why my blood is indicative of an Original still being alive.”
I leaned closer to him, my gaze locked on. “How are you still alive?”
He let loose with that deep laughter again, the sort of laughter which makes you want to join in. “A story for another time, unfortunately. There are spies all over the city and we have already lingered for too long.” He held his hand out to my mom and she didn’t hesitate for a moment. “I’m going to keep her safe, Charlie, I promise you that. I will figure out a way to get in contact with you, no matter where you end up. Stay with your enforcers. They’re a solid team and I trust them to have your back.”
Oh yeah, I had no doubts he’d been spying on me even after I made it into the Hive.
The tears which were lingering on my mother’s thick lashes finally fell. She stepped closer, wrapping her arms tightly around me. “I love you, Charlene Anne Bennett, never forget that. Please keep yourself safe.” Her voice broke, and I found myself losing control. I literally buried my head into my mom’s shoulder and bawled my eyes out. I just kept thinking that this might be the last time her arms were around me.
While I had no doubts that Carter would do everything in his power to keep her safe, I wasn’t so sure of my own ability to survive this coming unease. Every vamp was going to be gunning for me soon. I could just feel it. Even with the sexy six at my back, it would be a miracle if we all survived.
Shit! I was not thinking like that. We would figure it out, or at least go down fighting.
When I managed to compose myself, I pulled back, brushing one hand across my mom’s bangs, pushing them off her face. “I love you too, Mom, so much. I will see you again … very soon.”
I made a mental promise to do everything I could to see her again. This was a promise I had no idea if I could keep, but I was going to try my very best.
Carter reached out and brushed a fingertip along my cheek. It was gentle, and the gesture had me fighting hard not to lose it again. I’d never had a father-figure in my life. Joanna Bennett had never been on a single date that I knew of, which was something I’d always attributed to her unwavering love for army dude. Now I knew better. It was all about this vampire and I totally understood why. A few moments with him and I could already tell I’d really missed something by not knowing Carter Atwater, Original of the fourth house.
All of the anger I held toward my father, for his abandonment of us, melted away. I could see the bigger picture now, and it was enough to know that he cared, that he had been watching out for us over the years. On impulse, I stood on tiptoes and just managed to reach his cheek to kiss it. He was a mammoth of a man, something straight out of the history books.