Anarchy (The Stone Legacy Series Book 4)

by Dalayne, Theresa

  “Don’t worry about that, Renato.” The corners of his mouth curled as he admired Zanya for a moment, curled into a ball, still deeply asleep. “Thank you. It’s…” His chest tightened as the link between them deepened, boring into his soul. “It’s nothing like I ever thought possible. I don’t…” To say it aloud felt somehow wrong, but it was the absolute truth. “I don’t hate myself anymore. It’s like I’m finally at peace.”

  “That’s truly outstanding. I couldn’t be happier for you both, even if the union is somewhat unconventional. How is Zanya coping with the bond? Neither of you expected it, and I’m sure the sudden link has had a jarring impact on you both.”

  “So far we’re both handing the bond fairly well.” In fact, not a lot had changed for him. He had always been connected to Zanya. Even before Drina interpreted the passage from the book of Popul Vuh, revealing they were truly destined for each other, he somehow knew.

  “Very good. Please keep a close watch over her, as I know you will. I’ll work to get Ellie under control and find a way to bring both of you back.”

  Arwan nodded. “Okay. Meanwhile, Zanya and I are going to stay in the city.”

  “Why would you choose to stay there?”

  Arwan furrowed his brow. “What choice do we have?”

  Renato was silent for a long moment. “There is a second option. Perhaps it’s time you went home.”

  Arwan’s throat tightened as he pulled the car to a stop on the emergency shoulder. “Home?” He gripped the wheel tighter with one hand. “What are you talking about?”

  Renato breathed into the phone—the kind of breath you let out when you dreaded what you were about to say. “Do you remember the home you grew up in, before you came to Toledo? Before you lived with me?”

  Arwan slowly shook his head. He could barely remember what his mother looked like, let alone his childhood home. If it weren’t for the sketches hung on his bedroom wall in Renato’s house, and the brief moment he got to watch her through Contessa’s magical haze in Moscow, he probably would have forgotten her entirely.

  “I’ll take your silence as a no,” Renato said. “Spend as long as you’d like in the city, but when you’re ready, travel to Mexico.”

  “Mexico?” His breaths became quicker. “Is that where I’m from?”

  “That is where you were born, and where you spent your childhood.”

  Arwan clutched his chest as his darker half clawed at him. He was usually able to ignore it, but with his recent bonding, perhaps that was the one difference he’d have to watch out for. “The house is still there? You’re sure?” It had been nearly fifteen years since he’d left his home, when he was just six years old.

  “I received a piece of mail many years ago with nothing but the deed to the home in your mother’s name, postmarked. I could only assume it was your mother who sent it, as it wasn’t signed, and there was no note to accompany it.

  “Why didn’t you tell me this before? You gave me my inheritance, but not this? I should have known—” He clamped his teeth and clutched his chest tighter. His darker half whipped and burrowed into him. Arwan groaned and leaned into the steering wheel.

  “Are you all right, Arwan?” Renato’s voice was muffled in his ears. He drew in a shaky breath, concentrating on putting his darker half at rest. Soon, it settled down and became dormant again.

  “Send me the address,” he said softly, not wanting to wake Zanya and worry her. “I have to go.”

  Arwan hung up the phone and tossed it in the back seat, then mounted both hands on the wheel and stared ahead. His palms were clammy and his head throbbed from the rush of darkness slithering through him.

  He’d have to push past it and keep driving, all the way to the airport.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  A long time enthusiast of things that go bump in the night, Theresa began her writing career as a journalism intern—possibly the least creative writing field out there. After her first semester at a local newspaper, she washed her hands of press releases and features articles to delve into the whimsical world of young adult paranormal romance.

  Since then, Theresa has gotten married, had three terrific kids, moved to central Ohio, and was repeatedly guilt tripped into adopting a menagerie of animals that are now members of the family. But don’t be fooled by her domesticated appearance. Her greatest love is travel. Having stepped foot on the soil of over a dozen countries, traveled to sixteen U.S. states—including an extended seven-year stay in Kodiak, Alaska—she is anything but settled down.

  Wherever life brings her, she will continue to weave tales of adventure and love with the hope her stories will bring joy and inspiration to her readers.

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