“I know.”
Another knock and then Kim’s voice. “He’s out of the office, sir, and the sheriff is on his way to escort him away.”
“Good.”
The door closed and another round of sobs shook me. “He took her from me. She loved me, Sin. I remember her. Her smile, her hair, the way she would sing while I played with my finger paints.” Her yellow dress with the blue checks, the time I got into her makeup and painted my lips and cheeks with her red lipstick, choosing my dress for my first school dance, playing in her garden—so many memories welled up inside me. How many more had my father stolen from me? “She’d still be alive. She’d be with me. H-he took her.”
Sin rocked me back and forth, trying to ease the ache that could never fully be erased. “Shh, I’ve got you.”
I cried for the parents I’d lost as he held me close, his strong arms cradling me until my tears finally subsided. He kissed my hair.
I leaned back to look up at him. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry.” His face softened, and his tenderness made my tears threaten again.
I cleared my throat to try and stave off another crying fit. “Is all this going to be a p-problem with your staff or anything?”
He laughed, a deep rumble in his chest. “After what they’ve heard about Judge Montagnet, my eccentricities seem rather run-of-the-mill, I’m afraid.”
“I hate that man.”
“We’ll get him.” He dropped a reassuring kiss on my lips. “We’ll get them all.”
One stormy afternoon, Sin, Lucius, and I climbed the stairs to the third floor. Renee had interrupted our strategy session with Lucius to let us know that Rebecca was back—the real Rebecca.
I followed Renee, both Sin and Lucius on my heels. We moved quickly. Catching Rebecca lucid was like trying to see a shooting star. Spotted rarely, and only briefly before burning out.
Though I’d witnessed her change for Renee briefly, I couldn’t imagine her as anything other spiteful toward me. My trepidation grew as we approached. But when I walked in with Sin and Lucius, she smiled without a hint of malice.
“Boys.” Rebecca motioned them over, her joy like a mirror to her past when she was young and full of life.
I hid my surprise and stepped aside so Sin and Lucius could go to her bedside.
“Mom?” Sin hurried to her, Lucius on his heels.
“Sit. Let’s talk before I go back under. Hurry. We don’t have much time.” Rebecca patted the bed.
They sat as I hovered at the door.
“Stella? Come here. Let me look at you.” I walked over, Renee at my elbow.
“See? It’s her. It’s my Rebecca.” Renee dabbed at her eyes.
“Rebecca.” I nodded in greeting, still unsure if I was going to get a kind word or a kick in the teeth.
“You are beautiful. Almost the spitting image of my sister, Cora. And I hear you have her spirit, as well.” The woman in front of me wasn’t the same one who’d run into the dead of night screaming, or who had told me with glee about the trials. She was warm, friendly—a total stranger.
“Thank you.” I didn’t know what else to say.
“Renee, leave us for this part. I know how it upsets you.” She reached out and squeezed Renee’s hand before letting it go.
“I’ll be just down the hall.” Tears rolled down Renee’s cheeks, joy mixing with sorrow.
Once Renee was gone, Rebecca turned back to me. “The final trial is more of a mental test than anything else. Stella—”
“Is it true?” Sin asked. “That you want me to end the Acquisition?”
She took his hand. “Yes. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life. If I had any strength left, I’d do it myself. We don’t belong. The Vinemonts were never meant to be a part of this.” She shook her head, her white hair flowing around her shoulders. “We were poor sharecroppers. Your great-great-great grandfather unknowingly saved the life of the Sovereign, who repaid him by adding us to this disgraceful club. Don’t you see? It’s not in our blood. We don’t belong here.”
“But you always said we were better, that we were above everyone else—”
“Forget what I said.” Her tone turned desperate, and her bottom lip shook. “Forget everything I ever told you. Forget everything I’ve done to you.” She ran her fingers over the scars she’d cut into the back of his hand. “But remember what I tell you now. The final trial will force Stella to sacrifice something she loves.” She turned to me again. “Child, what do you love? Tell us.”
“I-I love Teddy and Sin and Lucius. I love Renee, Farns, and Laura.”
“Is there anyone else they could try and take from you?”
“Dmitri.” Lucius glanced at me. “And the rest of them. The flaming hair guy and the blonde.”
“Yes, them too.”
Lightning crackled through the sky, and the boom of thunder shook the house.