Epilogue
Three Weeks Later…
Right after Chloe left and I took off, I’d gone straight to her house. I wiped myself from Beth, Dean, and Abby’s minds; I couldn’t take the chance any of them would say something about me to her. I then did the same with all of Chloe’s friends. The only way she’d truly have a clean slate was if no one remembered me, or her and me together. When that was finished, I disappeared, ignoring all of Jax’s calls and texts, but I did check in with Dad so he wouldn’t worry.
I’d been back home for about a week now, but I still refused to speak to my brother, and I avoided him at all costs. Every time I’d walk into a room where he was, I’d leave, but not quick enough to see my father’s disapproving frown. I hated that I was upsetting Dad, but he had to understand how much Jax had hurt me, how he’d singlehandedly tore my soulmate away from me and destroyed my future. That was simply unforgiveable.
I lounged on the couch, flipping aimlessly through the channels on the TV when Jax walked into the room. I tossed the remote on the coffee table and stood, but before I could escape, he was right in front of me.
“How long are you going to keep pouting?” he asked, arms crossed and brow raised.
I scowled. “At least an eternity.” I shoved past him, and he grabbed my arm, jerking me back around to face him. I yanked my arm free from his hold. “Don’t touch me.”
He sighed and released me. “I said I was sorry. A million times, probably more.”
“Yeah, well, sorry isn’t good enough. You went too far this time, Jax.” I left the living room and rounded the corner to the hallway when I ran into Dad.
“C’mon, we need to talk.” He nodded for me to return to the living room.
I opened my mouth to argue but thought better of it. The look on Dad’s face gave me pause, so I silently obeyed his order and walked back to the living room. Jax was sitting on the edge of the couch, head hung. Did he truly feel remorse for what he’d done? Or was he just mad that I wasn’t letting him off the hook this time?
“I know you two aren’t on the best of terms right now, but I need you to set that aside for a while because we’ve got a problem.” Sean stood in front of the fireplace, arms crossed. His face was pinched, and his eyes were dark.
Jax snapped his head up. “What kind of problem?”
My stomach twisted. If this was about the Zoya again… I was in no frame of mind to be reasonable when it came to those witches.
Dad’s gaze lingered on me, and his expression softened. “I just got word that there’s a coven of witches looking for Chloe.”
His words slammed into me, and I stumbled back a step. “What?” I said, positive I’d misheard him.
“What coven?” Jax stood.
“The Rose Coven.” Sean sighed.
“Why?” Jax asked.
My mind raced. Why would the Rose Coven be looking for Chloe? This couldn’t be possible. I’d wiped her memories and sent her clear across the country so she’d be safe, so she would never have to suffer through the pain and trauma of the life I led. Yet, after all that, she was still in danger, and I was totally powerless to protect her. She had no idea who or what I was, which meant I couldn’t just show up and explain and whisk her away somewhere safer.
I cursed and rubbed the back of my neck. What the hell was I supposed to do now? How could I save her? I paced toward the windows and stared out at the woods beyond.
“I don’t know why they’re looking for her,” Sean said. “But my contact says the entire coven is on the move, and there’s rumblings about a human in California.”
“Doesn’t mean it’s Chloe,” Jax said.
I clenched my jaw at the sound of him saying her name. “Who else would it be?” I spun around, hands curled into fists. “Is the Rose Coven working with the Zoya?”
Sean shrugged.
Well, that was helpful. I shook my head, fear and panic clawing at my chest. I had to do something. I hadn’t sacrificed everything just so a different coven could get to Chloe and hurt her. Chloe might not remember me, but I surely remembered everything about her. Maybe I could go to California to check on her, watch to ensure she was alright. Was I strong enough to do that, though? One look and I knew I’d need to speak to her again. But there was one person who could do what I couldn’t.
I shifted my attention to my brother. “You know this is your fault, right?”
“You haven’t let me forget,” he said with a combination of frustration and annoyance.
“Good, then you’re going to help me fix this.”
Jax tilted his head, eyes narrowed. “How?”
“We’re going to California. Get packed.” Without waiting for an answer, I strode to my room and began packing for an extended stay in the Golden State.