House of Darken (Secret Keepers #1)(58)

“Like the stone in the treaty with Earth?” I confirmed what Lexen had told me earlier. The others looked surprised, but recovered quickly.

“Yes,” Star exclaimed, as she finally released me. “The exact same one.”

I shook my head, trying to piece all the information together. “How would my mother possess a necklace made from this stone?” Could it have fallen to Earth as well? Even if it did, why would my parents have it? They were definitely not into anything space-like.

Part of me was freaking out at what possible answers I was going to get. I adored my parents more than anything else in the world. Could I handle having their memories tainted by learning they had kept some huge truth from me.

Jero, uncharacteristically somber, reached out and lifted the chain too, gentler than his sister had. “This rock has never landed on Earth. I can tell you that for a fact. The only piece there is the one gifted as part of our treaty. It’s extra special. It has a literal beating heart which calms your world.”

“What did you say your parents did again?” Lexen interrupted.

“Accountant and school teacher,” I replied without hesitation.

“Did you ever go to their work?” Lexen pressed. “See them do these jobs?”

My reply died on my tongue as I thought about his question. I hadn’t actually ever gone to their work, but Mom had shown me tests from her class, and pictures of students.

“They did not lie to me,” I finally said. “They wouldn’t lie to me about something as huge as that.”

A darkness flittered across Lexen’s face. I couldn’t pull my gaze from his, locked on to the intensity. “Humans lie all the time, Emma. It is something we noticed from our very first interactions. They lie for a multitude of reasons, mostly to protect themselves, or to protect others.”

My breathing was harsh as I tried to calm my racing pulse. “Are you saying my family was involved in this treaty? That they hid everything from me in a bid to protect me? And that your world might have something to do with why they died?” My rushed words were just below a shout by the time I finished, chest heaving.

Star stepped forward and I could finally look away from the harsh planes of Lexen’s face. “I’m so sorry, Emma. I promise we’ll find out everything we can,” she said, her usual hug coming my way.

I squeezed my eyes as tightly as I could, not wanting to break down. I had been holding it together, but the moment her arms wrapped me up so firmly, the sympathy in her words cracked through my control.

“Star, let her go,” Lexen said, softer than he usually spoke.

I was released a beat later. Star’s eyes were glassy as if she’d been trying not to cry too. I was waiting for Lexen to pretend that my emotional breakdown wasn’t happening, but he surprised me. “Star is right, I will find out what happened to your family. There’s a reason the council is so interested in keeping you safe. A reason they’ve let you into our world – insisted on it actually. We’ll find out exactly what’s going on.”

I swallowed roughly, my throat seizing up. “Thank you,” I managed to get out. “Nothing can bring my parents back, I know that, but I’ve been struggling with closure. Acceptance. Maybe more information will help.”

I had never been able to let it rest, the fire continuing to haunt me. I figured it was a timing thing, as in I needed more time to heal, but maybe there was something more.

“My babies!”

We all turned toward the large, white, double doors we had been standing a few feet from. They were half open and a tall, slender brunette woman was dashing through them. Her face was lit up and I felt the love pouring from her as she threw her arms around Lexen. He hugged her back tightly, looking younger and more relaxed than usual.

“We missed you too, Mom,” he said with a chuckle as she finally let him go.

“I have missed you all so much. I’ve argued with your father about sending you to Earth, but he continues to say that we have no choice.”

It was hard to believe she was their mother. She looked only a few years older than me. Her hair was long and thick, hanging in a silky sheet to her waist. Her eyes were blue, just like Jero’s, her skin darkly tanned.

She was beautiful and regal. Wearing white linen pants and a tunic top, also white, everything about her screamed money and class, just like her children. As she hugged each of them, holding so tightly, a look of absolute joy on her face, I was starting to understand where the pure kindness from each of the Darkens came from.

Star snorted as she was squished tightly. “Mother, I have been gone for two days.”

The woman pulled back, holding her daughter at arm’s length. “Longest two days of my life, sweetheart.”

Finally, after greeting each of the Darkens, she noticed me standing there. Awkwardly. I wasn’t sure how I would be received. I half expected her to treat me like an interloper in their lives, but she took me completely by surprise when she wrapped her arms around me. I was stiff at first, but this lady held the same power as the rest of her family, and eventually I relaxed enough to lean in to her, the flowery scent she wore wrapping around me.

Thankfully she didn’t hug me too long, or I might have done something embarrassing like cry. She was so loving and motherly, and after just speaking of my parents, my heart was raw.

“Welcome to the House of Darken, Emma,” she said when she pulled away. “I have heard a lot about you. Oh, and please call me Ambra. We don’t stand on formality here.”