Page 62 of Lightning Angel
Alexa’s breath hitched in her throat, and an urge to defend Tristan and keep his secret safe rose in her. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” She lifted her chin indifferently.
“Oh, stop acting. That day in the kitchen, right here in fact, he attacked me then too.” Brandon sneered, his gaze narrowed with suspicion. “Those two times, he has been defending you from me.”
“Oh, that. It was our dad’s ghost.” At Brandon’s incredulous look, she continued, half-mockingly. “Don’t believe in ghosts? Right, you don’t. Unfortunately, for you, they exist, and our dad’s ghost is acting as our guardian. If you try to harm either of us again, you can only imagine what he’s got in store for you.”
“You’re mental.” Brandon shook his head, bewildered.
“Well, you’re the one who said you were attacked, all the while there hasn’t been a third person in the house.” Alexa challenged him to deny it.
“I’m gonna report it.”
Alexa snorted. “Do you really think anyone will believe you? You’re the self-proclaimed victim of an invisible attack, and what proof do you have? They would certainly throw you in a mental hospital. Perhaps, it will serve you right.”
When he opened his mouth to retort, Cassie snapped, “Get out of my house!”
Brandon schooled his features and shot her a wry grin. “Was about to,” he said and walked out of the kitchen, sparing Alexa a disgusted look and Tristan a glare as he passed him by the doorway.
Cassie sank into one of the chairs of the dining table instantly, clutching her chest, her face contorted in pain. She was on the verge of breaking down. Alexa’s heart broke at the sight and hugged her immediately.
That was all it took for Cassie’s walls to crumble. A devastating cry tore from her and she sobbed into Alexa’s chest, her body shaking violently. Alexa cradled her sister against her and rested her head on top of Cassie’s, tears running down her own eyes.
She sniffed and stole a glance at Tristan over her shoulder in time to catch him turning to walk away. He caught her teary gaze and his eyes softened. He gestured outside, either saying he’d be outside or that he was going to make sure Brandon left—or both. She gave him a short nod and watched him leave.
“Why is our life so messed up?” Cassie’s hiccupping, broken voice crushed Alexa’s soul.
She mulled over the question. “I don’t know,” she whispered, tightening her firm but comforting hold around her sister. “But I do know one thing; no matter what happens, I will never leave you.”
“You almost did,” Cassie said accusingly, as accusing as she could between her sobbing, just before it increased.
“But I’m here,” she countered firmly, despite how her own voice shook. “And I’ll never leave you. You’ll always have me even if the whole world leaves us alone. Ipromiseyou, Cass.”
Cassie didn’t respond verbally, but her hands that clutched on Alexa’s jacket spoke volumes. They stayed like that for long, until Cassie’s cries calmed down. She slowly pulled back from Alexa and reached for a tissue from the table, blowing her nose and wiping her face with it.
“I’m going to my room.” Cassie sniffed and rose from the chair.
Alexa dropped her hand and nodded in understanding, stepping back. “Sure. I’ll bring you dinner when it’s time.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to eat.” Cassie shook her head, looking away to the side and hugging herself. “My stomach feels full of betrayal and hatred.”
“Cassie…” Alexa’s lips quivered, and her next words barely made it out. “I’msosorry.”
Cassie met her gaze. “For nearly killing yourself? It will take more than asorryto earn my forgiveness. You have no idea—” Her voice broke and she sniffed before continuing, “If Tristan hadn’t…” She shook her head and looked away again, as though she couldn’t bear thinking about it.
Alexa pulled her into another hug. “I will make it up to you, I promise.”
Cassie refused to return the hug. “Sacrificing yourself is not how you show someone you love them, but being with them in every step of their life and overcoming the obstacles together.” The ire in her voice melted. “What is life if you’re not in it?”
Oh, how selfish she had truly been yesterday! Selfish, coward, and stupid. Her sister loved her unconditionally.
“You won’t have to find out.”
“Do you promise?”
“Yes.”
They pulled away a moment later. “I need to—”
“Yeah, I know,” Alexa cut her off. “Let me walk with you.” When Cassie opened her mouth, whether to protest or agree, she added, “Please?”