I looked around for Hunter, hoping he’d miraculously appear from somewhere and rescue me. He didn’t. I spotted the twins, Lisa and Lyle, sitting off to one side, just the two of them together, as always. They both gave me a smile as I caught their eye then went back to their own private little world.
Natasha was here, though, and she joined in the breakdown of what had occurred the previous night. “And what about Kit’s father being the person who’s been after us?” she said. “I mean, thinking about it, it’s hardly surprising, is it? Rich, powerful man, with research centers at his disposal. I can’t believe Kit didn’t know, though.”
I noticed Kit hadn’t appeared yet. Something turned uncomfortably inside me. This was his territory, and I felt as though I was stepping on it. Everyone had looked up to Kit before I’d arrived and uncovered his background. I didn’t think he’d been covering up for his father, but I knew my discovery left the rest of the Kin questioning his motives.
“I think he did know,” said someone else. “How could he not know what his father was up to?”
Natasha looked to me. “Do you think Kit’s father killed your sister?”
I saw my dad flinch at her words.
I shook my head. “No, I don’t. He said it wasn’t him, and he had no reason to lie.”
“Then who was it?” called over Lyle, the male half of the twins, surprising me by joining in the conversation.
I shook my head and shrugged. “Maybe Kit was right about that part all along, and it was the government. But honestly, I’m just guessing.”
Ashley continued to stare up at me. “You were so brave.”
Natasha nodded in agreement. “We know who’s behind the men in black because of you.”
Movement came from behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Hunter walk in. He walked right up to me, slipped his arm around my waist, and kissed my cheek. “Morning, Ari.”
I tried not to squirm with embarrassment under his attention. “Morning.”
“Sleep well?” he enquired.
I pressed a smile between my lips. “Not bad. You?”
He kissed me again, but this time on my earlobe, and spoke low into my ear. “Best sleep I’ve had for years.”
I held back a giggle as he let me go.
“Ari,” a female voice said from behind me, and I turned to see Caro, the red-head girl, together with several others, Dixie and Kit included, following in behind her. She held a small cardboard box in her hands.
“We have something for you. I’m sorry it’s not your missing pictures, but Dixie said some other things were messed with, too. It’s not much, but … anyway … here …”
Awkwardly, she shoved the box into my hands.
I frowned down at it. “What’s this?”
She gave a little shrug. “Just open it.”
I pulled the flaps apart to expose what lay inside. A fluffy pair of purple socks, brand new and still in the packaging, and a boxed tub of what looked like expensive moisturizer.
“Oh, wow. Thank you.”
She shrugged, her face going even redder than mine due to her complexion. “It’s not much. Just to replace what you had. And to say thank you for finding out what you did. From all of us.”
I sensed everyone trying not to look at Kit.
“And to say welcome,” Dixie threw in.
I smiled, my heart swelling in my chest. I reached in and fingered the socks, soft and thick. “Thank you. That’s really lovely of you.”
No one had admitted to taking the photographs and messing with my things. Maybe I would never find out who was responsible and I needed to let it go. We had more important issues ahead of us. I knew Kit’s father would continue to try to hunt us down, but we couldn’t allow ourselves to be the prey any longer. We needed to work hard and train so that he was the one frightened of us, instead of the other way around. We couldn’t be divided in ourselves, and I certainly didn’t want to be the one who’d cause the division.
Hunter put his arm around my waist and squeezed me. “Everyone wanted to make sure you knew you’re welcome here.”
I looked up at him, and then around at everyone else, all their smiling faces. “Thank you, everyone. This means a lot.”
For the first time, I felt a part of it. We had a long, frightening road ahead of us, but I wasn’t alone. I was a part of the Kin.
Family.
THE END
Liked what you read? Look out for book two in the series, ‘After Flux’ which will be available for pre-order soon! So you never miss out, make sure you sign up to Marissa Farrar’s new release list to stay updated about new releases, exclusives, and special offers! http://forms.aweber.com/form/61/19822861.htm
About the Author
Marissa Farrar is a British author of more than twenty five novels, and has been a full time author for the last six years. She predominantly writes paranormal romance and urban fantasy, but has branched into contemporary fiction as well. When she’s not writing, which isn’t often, she’s taking care of her three young daughters or binge watching shows on Netflix.
If you want to know more about Marissa, then please visit her website at www.marissa-farrar.blogspot.com. You can also find her at her facebook page, www.facebook.com/marissa.farrar.author or follow her on twitter @marissafarrar.
She loves to hear from readers and can be emailed at [email protected] and to stay updated on all new releases and sales, just sign up to her newsletter! http://forms.aweber.com/form/61/19822861.htm
Also by the Author
The Blood Courtesans Vampire Romance:
Stolen
The Serenity Series:
Alone (free first novel of the series!)
Buried
Captured
Dominion
Endless
THE COMPLETE SERIES BOXED SET
The Dhampyre Chronicles:
Twisted Dreams
Twisted Magic
The Spirit Shifters Series:
Autumn’s Blood (free first novel)
Saving Autumn
Autumn Rising
Autumn’s War
Avenging Autumn
Autumn’s End
THE COMPLETE SERIES BOXED SET
The Monster Trilogy
DEFACED
DENIED
DELIVERED
The Mercenary Series:
SKEWED
WARPED
FLAWED
Contemporary Fiction Novels
NO SECOND CHANCES
DIRTY SHOTS
CUT TOO DEEP
SURVIVOR
THE SOUND OF CRICKETS
Dark Fantasy/horror novels:
UNDERLIFE
THE DARK ROAD
FLUX
The Flux Series
Book One
Copyright © 2017 Marissa Farrar
Warwick House Press
Edited by Lori Whitwam
Cover art by Killer Covers
License Notes
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of these authors.
Publisher’s Note
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
00%); -moz-filter: grayscale(100%); -o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
Flux (The Flux Series Book 1) Page 20