Veil Of The Undying

Chapter 25

Ronan

The world has a messed-up sense of humor. Just when I thought I was starting to get better, to feel better, life throws me a curveball.

Now, the former love of my life and my former best friend-who decided to make babies together-are at my door, needing my help.

"The shots are gonna bring feeders. Let's go inside," I manage to say, my voice flat. Everyone listens without a word.

Liam leads them inside, but Aria lingers behind with me.

"We're all gonna have to stay up and keep watch," she says, but I know that's not really what's on her mind.

"We will," I reply curtly.

"You know them?" she finally asks what she really wants to know.

"Used to."

"Stop giving me two-word answers. Are they family or friends?" Her irritation is clear.

"I'll answer how I want, and that's none of your business." I'm done with her interrogation. I walk away without waiting for her response.

We split up-me, Aria, Marcus, Liam, and Ava-each taking a side of the farm to keep watch. There's no sleeping tonight.

I'm taking a smoke break, doing my part, when Thomas approaches me, nervously shifting from foot to foot.

"Hey, Ronan, we haven't had a chance to talk," he says.

"There's not much to talk about," I reply honestly.

"You can't blame me and Carmen for comforting each other when we thought you were gonna die."

That pisses me off.

"Comfort? Last time I checked, comfort didn't mean screwing each other and having babies."

"I understand how this looks to you, but-"

I cut off his pathetic excuse of a speech. "How old is your older boy?" I ask.

"Four years old, but I swear we didn't-"

"That's all I need to know. Now go play family man and get out of my personal space."

He looks like he wants to say more, but Aria appears, and he retreats.

"I got you coffee," she says, holding out a cup. "It's gonna be a long night, and you'll need it."

Why does she never leave me alone when I need her to?

"I want to ask you something. You can answer me or refuse-it's completely your choice," she says, looking up at me with those earnest eyes.

When I don't respond, she continues, "Did you kill your parents?"

Really? Now is when she decides to bring that up?

I want to give a rude reply, but what could be more hurtful than the truth?

"Yes," I say, meeting her gaze, searching for judgment or disgust. But I find neither.

"Did they deserve it?" Her question shocks me. Aria is the type of person who condemns any kind of killing.

"Yes," I tell her the truth again.

"Thank you, Ronan." This is the first time I've heard her say my name.

"For what?" I'm genuinely curious.

"For being here. If it weren't for you, I couldn't keep the promise I made to my brother." I've never heard her talk about her family before.

"And where is your brother?" I ask, wondering why he left her alone.

"Dead," she says, the word heavy with loss.

"I'm sorry."

"I am too. He was the perfect sibling, and I wasn't," she adds, giving herself little credit.

"I'm sure he loved you. He wouldn't have if you weren't a good one," I reassure her.

"Did you have any siblings?" she asks, turning the conversation back to me.

"Yes, a brother. Also dead, like yours."

Her eyes well up at that.

"Well, now we have each other. Maybe we can become siblings," she says with a faint smile.

The thought makes my skin crawl. "No thanks. You're not blood," I reply, hoping she drops the idea.

"Adopted siblings aren't related by blood. I could be your sister-it doesn't have to be blood," she insists, like she's trying to convince herself.

"Aria, respectfully, the thoughts I have of you are not very family-friendly. Don't bring that up again."

She glares at me, clearly disgusted. "Eww. You're disgusting."

"I know. Now go away."

She listens, probably not wanting to hear more from me. Good.

I head back inside to grab something to eat, but Carmen approaches me. She looks like she wants to say something, but I don't give her the chance. I walk away. Everyone's in my business-maybe I shouldn't stay here.

As I'm making my way back to my place, I overhear Liam and Aria arguing.

"You were leading me on, weren't you?!" Liam's voice is angry, too angry. I shouldn't eavesdrop, but I can't help it. He sounds like he might hurt her.

"What?!" Aria's voice is full of confusion.

"You're just like Ava! You were using me for your own selfish reasons and then rejected me because you're also using Ronan, right? You can't lose either of us, so you lead both of us on?!" His accusation is absurd. If Aria were that malicious, it would almost be funny.

"What the hell are you talking about? Have you been talking to Ava? Don't tell me she's feeding you this nonsense!" Aria fires back.

I'm waiting for Liam's response, but instead, I hear Aria gasp. My heart drops.

I rush around the corner just in time to see him stabbing her. What the fuck?!