Maximus lifted my chin so he could meet my eyes. “Okay, keep your cell on you and make sure you call us if anyone bothers you.”
I pulled my face free and waved them away. “Guys, I’m fine. Stop worrying like four hulking mothers.”
With laughter and a few elbows they finally tumbled out the door. But not before Maximus waved his phone at me again. Reluctantly, I pulled myself up to search for the cell. I’d left it at their place earlier and had no idea where it had ended up. I wasn’t a big fan of technology, I was an outdoors girl, but I had a phone at the insistence of my father. It took me a while, but eventually I found it wedged behind the sofa. Sliding my finger across the screen I laughed at the first text which flashed at me.
Maximus: When you finally find your phone behind the sofa, let me know you’re all good.
He missed nothing. I quickly text back. I’m fine.
The second text was from my father.
Jonathon: We need to talk and I’d like you to meet Mischa. Find me in the morning, I’ll be in the dining hall for breakfast.
I hesitated over the keypad before replying. See you in the morning.
I wanted to say more, but didn’t trust my emotions right now. I did love my father and he deserved a chance to explain this mess. I hoped he knew better than to invite mother dearest along, otherwise the dining hall would get a front row seat to a bitch fight. And I’d bring more than claws. After making sure it wasn’t on silent, I threw the phone aside again and, reaching over the end of the chair, grabbed the pillow and blanket that was draped across there. The original, and in my opinion best, Transformers movie was playing on the huge flat screen. I snuggled down and enjoyed a few minutes before my lids started to get heavy.
A loud knock rang through the house, startling me from my comfortable slumber. Ignoring it, I squashed my face further into the pillow. Whoever it was could come back later. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with any of the women. But of course the knock continued, over and over until I couldn’t ignore it any longer.
Stumbling on the blanket, I got to my feet and crossed the room in a few angry strides. I slammed open the door. My mouth opened, preparing to blast the shit out of whichever desperate girl was outside. Sure, I could have had more sympathy for the women who thought they’d finally be the one to tame a Compass, but their weakness annoyed me. Maybe I’d change my tune if I ever found myself in love. But I doubted it.
I froze as I came face to face with a pair of green eyes which sat atop a small, straight nose and full rosy-red lips. Nose and lips exactly the same as mine.
Mischa stood there, more fire on her face than I’d seen in the hall. She was scowling, another thing we had in common. Closing my mouth, I took a moment to examine her up close. We were eerily similar, and yet not identical. I had the smallest smattering of freckles across my ivory skin. Hers was clear of any marks. Her eyes were a little wider-spaced than mine, forehead a little smaller. But all in all there was no denying our familial relationship.
I opened my mouth but she spoke first. “Jonathon told me where you were, don’t be mad at him. I badgered him until he broke.” I doubted that, her power was nothing on his. He was trying to get us together. “All the years I dreamed of meeting you, I somehow thought it would go differently.” Despite the bite, her voice was soft, sweeter than mine had ever sounded. And why the hell had she been privileged enough to know of my existence?
The way she continued to lower her eyes as she spoke told me everything. She had not been raised in a pack, she did not know anything of dominance. She was unknowingly giving me the upper hand in our relationship. I opened my mouth to say something. I actually didn’t know what would come out, so we both looked a little surprised when I said, “Do you want to come in?”
She nodded, her fine black brows drawing together as she stepped around me and into the Compass home. I shut the door firmly behind her and led the way into the living room. We sat facing each other, a three foot gap separating us.
“So you knew about me?”
She stared at her hands as she twined them over and over. “Yes, Mom always told me I had a sister, that we’d had to leave for both of our safety, but that I’d meet her again someday.”
Well, damn mother dearest seemed to be a hell of a lot more honest than Dad had been with me. Although his last words to me seemed to indicate he’d been in the dark as much as I was.
She was still speaking: “I’ve been alone a lot of my life, and I always imagined the fun of having a sister and a friend. Of course, I was like ten at the time, but it has stayed with me.”