Page 82 of The Wild Man

Her expression is filled with concern when she asks. “Are you okay?”

I can’t answer. My brain is overflowing, trying to fathom the impossibility.

Fey.

Could it mean Phenix?

Wild Man never mentioned he had a sister. Only that his mother was pregnant when they went to stay in the wilderness for one last foray.

I look at the woman in front of me. Really look at her. Hair dark enough that it looks like there’s a hint of blue. Eyes so dark, they almost look black. And they’re slightly slanted, just like Wild Man. While Wild Man had a full beard, his full red lips always caught my eye because they were such a contrast to the darkness of the hair on his face. This woman has the same lips.

“H-he never said he had a sister,” I say, barely getting the words past my dry throat.

Sadness enters the woman’s eyes and she looks down at her hands. She’s twisting them together. “It’s been over twenty years and he was so young when he went missing. I’m not surprised he didn’t remember me.” She looks up and a world of pain is in her gaze. “I wasn’t home much the last couple of years before our parents took him on their adventure. I had an autoimmune disease that had me in the hospital more often than I was at home.”

Something in my chest fractures, splits right down the middle, and I suck in a sharp breath, hoping to relieve the pain.

I reach out and grab one of her hands. “Please, come in.”

I tug Camille inside and turn to the rest of the room. It must have been Dad who was behind me because he’s standing close by. My brothers are scattered throughout the room, eyeing the newcomer as if they aren’t sure what to make of her. All except Maddox. He looks like he may want to kick the woman out. I glower at him, daring him to even try, and I pull Camille over to the couch. Rika scoots to the end, making room for me to sit. Camille sits on the other end.

“How old were you when they left?” I ask, turning my body to face her.

I’m still having trouble believing this woman is Wild Man’s sister, but the evidence is right in front of me. They look too much alike for it not to be true. I’m surprised I didn’t notice it when I first opened the door, because it surely smacks me in the face now.

“Seven.”

“And they just left a sick seven-year-old girl in the hospital while they went gallivanting in the forest? Sounds like great parents to me,” Ethan says with a hostile tone.

“Ethan!” I snap, not believing my brother could be so heartless. I’d expect this behavior from Maddox, but not Ethan. It’s a good thing he’s across the room, or I’d leave my handprint on his face. “How dare you!”

I glare at him, but his eyes are focused on Camille.

“You really believe this woman?” he asks, switching his gaze to me.

“I do actually,” I say. “If you saw Wild Man, you’d believe her too. They look too much alike not to be related. And besides, why in the world would she lie?”

“Media attention. Fame. Money. Those are just a few reasons.”

“Jesus, brother. Not everyone is jaded like you.” I shoot him a hard look. “Either keep your trap shut and play nice or get out of my house.”

Camille touching my hand pulls my attention back to her.

“It’s okay.” Her eyes slide sideways to Ethan before coming back to me. “Really.”

“No, it certainly is not. This is my house and while people are in it, they won’t be assholes to my guests.”

Ethan wisely clamps his lips shut, but doesn’t lose the animosity in his eyes.

“Now,” I pat the top of Camille’s hand. “Tell me more.”

I’m ridiculously curious to learn more of Wild Man and his life before he and his parents went into the wilderness.

twenty-nine

Everlee

Later that night, I’m in bed staring up at the ceiling, my thoughts all over the place, trying to process everything I learned today.