His Miracle Mate: Rise of the Moon Children

Chapter 29

Emma's closet was neat, color coded, and quite cheerless. The black, gray, brown and dark blue clothes swallowed the light. Ezra's nostrils flared as he walked through the enclosed space.

"Sam said in the back." I moved to the back of the closet and checked the shelves with brown hoodies and t-shirts. Then the drawers. Nothing.

Ezra crouched down and sniffed at a bottom drawer.

"What is it?" I asked.

He wrinkled his nose. "It's not a smell, more of a ... sensation."

"A sensation?"

He nodded and pulled the drawer. "Kind of reminds me how silver used to feel to me."

We exchanged a look. Could it be another weapon? He pulled the drawer, and we sifted through it. I felt guilty, looking through her underwear. But the memory of Haley's bloodied back drove away the guilt.

"Nothing," I said. Running my hand over the smooth bottom of the drawer. "A fake bottom?"

Ezra frowned. He pulled the drawer out, dislodging it from its spot with a crack. And there it was. Right there, beneath where the drawer used to be, was what looked like a jewelry box. As soon as I picked it up, I understood what Ezra was talking about. It buzzed, just like Jun's red blade had.

"Give it here, baby," Ezra said, taking the box from my hands.

Carefully, he opened it. Instead of jewelry, a vial was nestled in the middle of the box. It contained a reddish brown powder that shimmered under the closet's faint lights. Jun's blade was that exact shade of red.

Ezra plucked it out and held it to his nose. Then he sneezed twice and shook his head. Just like a puppy. Despite the heavy sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I bit back a smile.

Ezra wrinkled his nose and put the vial back in place. "What's funny?"

"Nothing. You're just cute," I said.

"Cute?" He reached over and pinched my cheek, his lips stretched out in a soft smile. Standing up, he pulled me to his feet. "Sam said it has to do with me and Orton."

I nodded, my smile fading. "I guess she intended to poison you or Orton. I just don't understand. She was so nice and..."

And I had introduced her to Haley, thinking that Haley's cheerful personality would help bring Emma out of her shell. And now Haley was hurt.

If only... I shook my head. Ezra was right. No use dwelling over it. It was easier said than done, when Haley was still lying unconscious.

Ezra didn't say anything. He just pulled me closer and kissed me. And that was all I needed right then.

*** **** ***

Zyron and Wren waited for us in Zyron's home office. He sat behind his desk, his hands clasped in a fist beneath his chin and his dark eyes stormy.

Wren stood near the fireplace, her gaze on one of the framed photographs. It was a shot of Ezra and his siblings, the three of them standing in front of Wren's green house. Zariah was sandwiched between Ezra and his brother, the three of us beaming at the camera.

As we walked in, Wren gave us a bright smile that barely managed to conceal her pain. My heart ached for her and Zyron, and for Ezra. A deep longing twisted the bond. He missed his siblings so much. I squeezed his hand, and the bond settled down some.

"You're here. Good." Wren walked over and perched on the front of Zyron's desk, her steps less wobbly than earlier.

"What's wrong?" Ezra asked.