without warning. Thankfully, Ellery’s presence remained submerged under the

happier, more vibrant ones peppered with Kelsey’s laughter and joy. It gave me

something to hold close when the fear-drenched moments in my cabin’s kitchen

haunted my dreams.

And that was another thing.

Ellery had left too many marks on my past, including my home. While it had

been my family’s center, the last horrible week had stained my cabin. Taking it

back would take time, but I was determined to stick it out. Years of love and laughter, shared joys and tears, created a deeper impression than Ellery’s depravity. So, although I might not be spending much time in Sedona, the cabin

would stay mine.

The sun slowly slid behind the red rock walls. Next to me, Kayden shifted.

“You ready?”

“Yeah,” my answer came out soft, and a little melancholy.

He offered me a hand and helped me to the edge of the rock before returning

for the backpack.

I stood there, gazing down at the bubbling creek, flowing fast and furious below me. Kelsey had always loved this spot. When the Ardens took us in, they

gave us free rein to explore the area around the cabin. It didn’t take us long to

find it, considering we spent every free minute climbing up, down, and around every nook and cranny. The desert’s wildness had been so different from the urban sprawl both she and I were used to.

Out here, under the wide-open sky, we could be free.

As we got older, this spot became our escape hatch from everyday crap. We

took advantage of the summer sun. She’d tan, I’d burn, but we’d be together and

that’s what counted most, especially as our lives took different paths.

Kayden came up beside me, a silver urn in his big, capable hands.

Reverently, he handed it to me. I clutched it to my chest, holding her close to my

heart one last time. Tears pressed as echoes of her laughter and teasing mixed with the soft breeze and hushed babble of water. “I love you, Kelsey. Be happy.”

I opened the urn and carefully tilted it over the creek at my feet, letting the

tumbling breeze take my sister away. Her ashes danced along the water, and then

disappeared.

After I replaced the urn’s cap, Kayden’s arm came around my waist and

tucked me into his side. He held me, strong and steady, as quiet tears made their

way down my face. It would be a while before her memories would no longer hurt, but there was more to my sister than her death, and that was what I held onto now.

Eventually, Kayden and I ended up on the edge of the rock, our legs dangling

over the creek. We had to leave soon, to beat the encroaching night. Yet, I didn’t

want to be anywhere else, with anyone else.

“Hey, you doing okay?” He broke into my musings.

I cleared my throat. “Yeah, just thinking.”

“You having second thoughts?”

“About?”

“Joining the team?”

Yesterday, after talking with Kayden, I had officially accepted Delacourt’s offer to join PSY-IV. “Nope.” I paused, threading my fingers through the hand on my waist. “How about you? Having second thoughts about having me on

your team?”

He nuzzled my neck. “Nah, so long as you remember who’s in charge, we’ll

be fine.”

Laughing, I shot back, “That would be me, right, Lieutenant?”

“Think again, oh gunny mine.” He wrapped his arms around me and with a

mock growl drew me across his lap.

I laughed harder and curled my free hand around his neck to tangle my hand

in his hair, while my cast rested across my stomach. “Someone has to keep you

on your toes.”

He dipped his head and brushed his mouth over mine. “You up for the