Firewalker (Worldwalker 2)

Dad. You’re meddling in things you don’t understand. Stop pretending you’re in charge here. Do as you’re told or get out.

His red face blanched and his jaw dropped. “Did you hear that?” he asked Juliet.

“She didn’t. That was just for you, Dad,” Lily replied in a papery voice that broke twice before she could finish.

“Lie back, Lily,” Rowan whispered urgently in her ear. “Your skin is splitting apart. You need to be still.”

Lily refused and stayed staring at her father. Her left eye went cloudy and started stinging as blood oozed into it, but she didn’t blink. Lily waited until she was sure her father’s will had faltered before she continued.

“We’re going to take care of this privately. Is that understood?” she whispered. Her father nodded slowly. He was terrified of her. “Good.”

Lily allowed Rowan to ease her back down.

That was harsh, Lily.

Did it work?

Yeah. He’s leaving.

His favorite trick.

Rowan’s breath brushed over her collarbones as he gave a bitter laugh. The feel of him near her was soothing. Lily shut her eyes and climbed back onto her raft, the pain bearing her up and over the dark water. She looked across the raft and saw Lillian sitting opposite her.

My version of James wasn’t much of a father, either.

Wasn’t? Is he dead, Lillian?

No. He lives in Richmond. I pay him well to keep him there and out of politics.

He’s not a bad person. Just—

Spineless.

Yeah. I wish he could have been something more than that.

We have high standards when it comes to men, Lily. Nothing less than Rowan will do for either of us.

You still love him.

Of course.

Then why did you hurt him so terribly, Lillian? Why did you hang Rowan’s father?

Do you really want to know? In order for it to make any sense, I have to show you more of my story, and it isn’t pretty. It’s going to hurt you, Lily.

I want to know—even if I also know you’re only showing me the bits and pieces that will justify what you have done.

I am showing you the truth as I experienced it so that you can understand why I’ve done what I have. You can’t blame me for wanting to show my life to you in a way that I think will have the greatest impact. You’re still the one who has to decide whether or not you agree with me.

All right, Lillian. Let me see the truth as you wish to show it to me.

You must promise me one thing first. That you hide everything I show you. Not to protect me—but to protect Rowan.

I’d never let anything or anyone hurt Rowan. Not even you or me. But you know that, don’t you, Lillian?

Yes.

Then show me.