I give Damien a pointed look, but he continues staring at the spot on the wall as though it has all of his attention.

“Bobo killed four children after they nearly stoned him to death for a laugh. Four Portocale first-borns from four different branches of the thick Portocale tree make up the immortal Portocale Council. That most likely means those children who tortured Bobo…belonged to the four Portocale Council members. They may have done awful things, but those kids still had parents who loved them and were vicious enough to go after vengeance. Am I right? Or did I overcomplicate it?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest, genuinely too tired to even have emotions on the matter.

“That’s the gist,” Damien concedes, lips thinning, as he exhales his own tired breath.

“She told me the good about him too, but she didn’t shield me from the truth to that degree. She told me she was older than she looked, but it’s not like I did any math or tried to find plot-holes in her stories. A lot of things make sense now, because she always planned on telling me everything one day. Just not until she had to.”

I lift a case, hand it off to Tiara, and gesture for her to load it. She’s happy to escape the room. I now can tell that my mother is still hiding things, because I’ve found a lot of those plot-holes since I had a reason to start looking for them. However, I keep that to myself.

“So yes, I do trust her. Just like I trust her to stop talking when I ask it, because she told me to never let her be cruel to people when I’m around,” I go on, lifting the next box to pass it along. “Because she had to be cold to endure the life she’d lived, but that she never wanted me—”

“Violet, I’d greatly appreciate it if some things stayed between us,” Mom cuts in, eyes sharp and somewhat lethal.

“That’s the problem,” I say as I hand off the next box, “everyone wants to yell, scream, argue, take inexcusable shots, and bitch about the past. No one wants to just talk. Even now, everyone wants to remain defensive. All of you just want to hold on to the very thing that’s made you miserable all these years, and at this point, you’re just piling onto the fact no one is seeking resolution.”

The girls hurry out like they’re relieved to finally be able to exit without being told to go.

“You can spend your time doing whatever you want. I’m not an alpha and have no say in these matters, nor do I have the pressing, world-ending responsibilities you guys have. I’m not judging, because that seems like a lot to put on anyone’s shoulders. However, don’t pull me into your fights or try to manipulate whose side I’m on. I’m going alone to—”

“You won’t go alone,” Emit says sharply, eyes cutting to me like it’s an order.

He’s never really ordered me to do anything before…besides turn over.

I blink a few times, almost caught off guard by it, and admittedly get a little distracted in a very ill-timed sort of way Anna would be proud of…

Clearing my throat and remembering now’s not the time to let my troublesome vagina get her way, I bring my attention back to the three argumentative alphas in the room.

“I’ll stick to the Simpleton side of the home. You said the skin walkers wouldn’t even be up yet because it takes time to rehydrate them,” I remind him.

“I’ll come with you. I’ve barely argued all day, and you’re not cross with me right now,” Emit states.

“Why are you cross with me if I’m not allowed to be cross with you for dating my sworn enemies?” Mom asks like she’s hurt, and then she gags.

She mocks a gag every time she mentions us.

There are so many ways I’d love to answer that question right now.

Put a pin in it.

Talk about family drama…

“They’re not going to want to see the ones who put them under while they’re trying to get reacquainted with a much different world inside a Van Helsing’s home. A Van Helsing who everyone seems to think not even I should have to meet. I know this is difficult for all of you, since the only person who makes you feel weak is Idun, but for one second, be them. Think about them. They’re the only innocent ones in this mess, and I know that’s true, because it’s the only thing you’ve all agreed on.”

I lift the last box, glancing over at Emit, as Mom clears her throat.

“Give them one day where they don’t have to deal with you. Give me one day to help them get the gist of what’s going on in the world today, before the alpha-arguing sets in all around them, with everyone else dictating what they do. Since all the scary and important Neoprys are taking time to heal, give the forgotten an ounce of freedom while it lasts.”

When no one makes a move to immediately argue, I take my opening while I have it.

“I’ll keep the omegas with me,” I assure them as I turn to go.

“They’ll just run if there’s trouble,” Emit says like he’s working hard to hold back.

I glance over my shoulder to see that the muscles in his shoulders, biceps and forearms are all tensing, as his jaw tics. The full moon isn’t that close, is it? No. No. It really shouldn’t be affecting his temperament as much as it is right now.

“They’ll run and find you like their instinct demands. If there’s trouble, I’ll attract it whether I’m here or there. It’s just my nature. Don’t worry so much, or you’ll never be able to adjust to the new normal that’s starting right now.”