"You did what? You looked up Nox's brother?"
"Kade," she says. "And his wife, June. They have three kids."
"I can't believe you stalked Nox."
"Let's just say I saw something like this coming. They've lied to you for a long time, Wills."
"About what?" I knit my brows together. "Nox killing someone?"
Mercy pauses on the other end. "Do you know who he killed, Willa?"
"Probably someone bad. I'm pretty sure he thinks he's some vigilante superhero with a name like Nox," I mutter.
"Wills... He killed Dove's brother."
My hand shakes. "Robin died in a shoot-out."
"Yeah, he did." She pauses meaningfully. "See what I mean?"
My heart beats into overdrive and I panic. Could this possibly be the truth?
"Look, we can get plane tickets for tonight," Mercy rushes on. "I stole some money from Scott."
"You did what?" I groan. "He'll kill you, Mercy!"
"We're leaving," she insists. "It doesn't matter, because I'll be long gone by the time he finds out. The only reason I haven't brought it up is because you were happy with Raphael. Are you sure it's over?"
"He doesn't want me," I whisper.
"Then we're leaving," Mercy says resolutely. "Meet me at the airport tonight. I'll deposit the money and buy our tickets. Bring as little as you can."
"What about Dove and Nox?"
"Do you want them to know where you're going?"
"No," I admit.
"Then leave now. They don't know about Parsons. Please, Willa. Come with me."
I find myself nodding along with her words. This is what I need. To pursue my dream, to follow my talents and study where I've always wanted to. I've saved up enough – I can pay for myself and Mercy, at least until we both find jobs. I got into Parsons on a scholarship and I think I can just about cover living expenses.
"Okay," I finally say. "Let's leave tonight."
"That's my girl," Mercy laughs. "I'll text you where to meet me. Don't tell anyone."
The call ends and I stare at the phone in my hand. What the hell have I just agreed to?
1 week later
"Try this one." Mercy pushes my phone back into my hands. "It says it's the personal line of Theo Wildfox-Miller."
"Is that their oldest son?" I scribble down his name on a Post-it.
"Yeah. Tell him you want to meet."
Nervously, I call the number while Mercy expectantly watches me from across the tiny table we eat at.
We've been staying in a motel for a week, but we need to find a different place soon. I was against calling in favors from Nox's family, but Mercy talked me into it, telling me it would be good for me to have some closure.
"Hello?"
The voice on the other end of the line is harsh, deep and filled with anger.
"Um, hi."
"Who is this?"
He's clearly hostile, but Mercy's pleading look makes me launch into an explanation, hoping he doesn't end the call.
"You don't know me – probably. Maybe? I don't know. I'm Willa. I'm... your cousin, I think?"
"What the fuck?" he growls next. "Are you drunk?"
"No," I hiss, rolling my eyes and shushing Mercy as she whispers how’s it going. "I'm Nox's daughter."
"Whose?"
"Are you Theo Miller?" I ask, losing my patience.
"Theo Wildfox-Miller, yes."
"Well, I'm Willa. Willa Canterbury-Miller."
A long silence follows before he finally mutters, "Well, fuck. Can you meet me? Where are you?"
"I'm here in New York," I manage to get out, surprised by his eagerness to see me. "And yes, I can meet you."
"Text me your address, I'll send a car."
"Okay."
He hesitates before adding, "I hope you don't scare easily."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Before I can get a reply, the line goes dead. Frustrated, I stare at my phone before shrugging in Mercy's direction.
"Guess he's sending a car."
"Can I come with you?"
"Better not, Mercy," I mutter. "You have to watch our stuff."
My laptop has already been stolen in this crappy motel, and I don't want to risk losing more stuff. Mercy nods and sits by the TV. Its sound is the only thing that blocks out the shit that goes on in this place.
I say my goodbyes and run downstairs to find a black car with a chauffeur waiting for me. He opens the door, as if he knows who I am, and I spend the rest of the ride in awe before finally pulling up in front of a brownstone building.
"Right through to the garden, miss," the driver nods at me. "Good luck."
I glance at the house suspiciously. This feels like something out of a book, and I'm getting scared of who Theo really is. But then I remember the alternative to leaving – going back home with my tail between my legs, never seeing Raphael or worse, running into him with someone else. I set my shoulders back and resolutely walk into the house.
I follow the open doors to the garden where a man is sitting with his back to me.
"Willa?" he asks in the same deep, rumbling voice.