The Darkest Promise (Lords of the Underworld 13)

Ever's chin quavered as she peered down at her feet and kicked a pebble. "Mom and Dad are super worried about you, Aunt Cam. While they dealt with the great toilet crisis, we used the Paring Rod to check on you."

Touched, Cameo pressed a hand over her heart.

Astonishment pulsed from Lazarus. "You're children. Who taught you to use the Paring Rod?"

Urban crossed his arms over his chest, looking far older than his years and just as stubborn as his mother. "I don't know you, so I don't have to tell you anything but get lost."

Viola pinched the bridge of her nose, as if she'd been pushed past the limits of her tolerance. "For disgusting little urchins, they're extremely intelligent. They watched their aunts and uncles use the Paring Rod and ta-da. Here they are."

Well. The kids needed to learn a hard lesson, and if Cameo had to make them sob in the process, so be it. "Coming here was irresponsible. Your parents are probably worried sick. And what if they followed you through the Paring Rod? What if they ended up in a different realm? They could be injured. Or worse!"

Ever hunched over and vomited the contents of her stomach.

Shit! Puking was a little too hard a lesson.

Tears poured down Urban's cheeks as he wrapped an arm around his sister's shoulders.

"Ouch," Lazarus muttered, his lips twitching at the corners. "Aunt Cam is a hard-ass."

She ignored the guilt...and the urge to lean against him, to bury her head in the hollow of his neck.

Viola fluffed her hair, her eyes dry. Like Lazarus, she didn't react to Cameo. Either overwhelming sorrow already brewed inside her or she hid her sadness behind a veil of self-love. Either way, Cameo made a quality decision. She's my new best friend.

"Mom and Dad don't kn