Twinned Shadow (The Shadow Series Book 1) by Candice Bundy (win 10 ebook reader .txt) 📗

forever, but as a fae-touched, Tesse should have lived to at least one twenty. Perhaps even one hundred forty, if she’d been lucky. A few moments passed where she couldn’t think. Couldn’t speak. Tesse had been her last link to the world of her childhood. The last place she’d felt like a part of something larger than herself. Becka crumpled, her knees hitting the floor. She felt Lydia’s gentle touch on her shoulder.

Vott could have shot her through the heart and it would have hurt less. Now she was truly alone.

“When did it happen?” she asked, hearing the tremble in her voice

“Two nights ago,” he replied, the steady timbre of his voice cracking.

“But, I spoke with her two nights ago. Everything seemed all right.” Tears washed down her face. “She was about to marry.”

“You have been speaking with your sister?” he asked, tone laced with rebuke.

Becka swept away tears, her exasperation with fae custom flashing hot with sudden frustration. “Yes, occasionally we talked. Mostly, we messaged. Send me a citation,” she snapped.

Vott made the softest tsking sound. “I suppose it’s of no consequence now.”

For a few moments neither of them said anything. Becka continued to weep silently with Lydia passing her tissue after tissue. Becka cleared her throat and then pulled herself back on to her feet, absently straightening her clothes.

“How did it happen?”

“I refuse to divulge details over this device. As soon as you arrive, I will share what I know.”

They had to know what happened to Tesse. But the only way Becka would learn the truth would be to go back to House Rowan.

“Arrive?” Becka turned and paced the length of the hall.

“It’s customary for all immediate relatives to attend the funeral.”

She paused. “But I’m not family.”

“It’s true you are no longer a member of our Illusionists Guild or our house, but you were her twin. It would be improper to have you absent from the ceremony.”

All hail custom. “Is Aunt Lydia invited?”

“Oh, do not be absurd. Although you refer to Lydia as your aunt, there are no blood ties between you.”

Becka had to take a deep breath and stretch the sudden tension out of her jaw. Family was more than blood and guild ties. Lydia was her family of choice, and the tie was no less real for Becka. “Right. What was I thinking?”

“I would not venture a guess, my dear. Anyway, your escort should arrive shortly. Please be ready when he arrives.”

Becka had a sudden flash of Quinn standing outside Dr. Traut’s office. That’s why he’d offered her a ride! She set down the phone and walked to the front door and opened it. Quinn had followed her home and stood patiently, leaning up against his car, which he’d parked in front of her house. She waved at him and then slammed the door in his face.

Becka stomped over to the phone and picked up the receiver. Vott had continued to talk in her absence; unaware it had become a one-sided conversation.

“...It’s not like you could roam around fae territory on your own, after all. Can you imagine the impropriety?”

“Right, I mean, what would your nosy, gossiping neighbors think?” Becka replied, her voice filling the room.

The line went silent for a moment.

“And I’m just supposed to drop everything for the House of Mirrors?”

No response.

“I have my own life now!” she yelled.

“I am confident you do, Becka. I am asking you to drop everything for Tesse. Not for custom, not for anyone else, and not for the guild.”

Becka despised his blatant emotional manipulations, but how could she refuse her beloved twin’s funeral? “Fine. But you know what, Vott? The next time you want to summon me, you’d better ask my permission first!” she yelled.

Becka slammed the phone down.

Chapter 4

Lydia stepped in close and beckoned Becka into a hug. Becka leaned against her in tears, the enormity of her sister’s death hitting her full force.

“Aw, honey, I am so sorry for your loss. From everything you’ve shared with me over the years I know what a sweetheart Tesse was and how much she meant to you.”

Becka couldn’t find the words to answer. After a few minutes had passed and she was no longer gulping down sobs, Becka stepped back. She withdrew into the kitchen to get herself a glass of water.

Lydia followed, bringing the box of tissues with her. “You gonna be okay?”

“Yeah, but none of this even makes sense. This is just too sudden. Tesse and I talked that night. She sent me pictures of her wedding gala. Everything seemed fine. Something horrible must have happened. An accident or something?”

“Who knows? I remember you said you talked with her. You shared a few of the images with me the next morning.”

“Did I tell you she called yesterday?”

“You talked to her?”

“Well, no, I didn’t. I got a call from her number, but she said nothing.”

“Perhaps someone found her phone and called the last contact?”

“Yeah, maybe.” Becka blew her nose. “Ugh. I’m stunned. Pissed. And so heartbroken.”

Lydia cocked her head. “I get why you’re shocked and heartbroken, but why pissed?”

“I’m upset the guild has drawn me back into their world. Their customs. Rules. Talking like they’re from another freaking era.”

Lydia nodded. “I remember mainstream human culture being a shock to my system when I was first outcast. The fae only seem unusual to you now because you’ve been on the outside.”

“That’s just it, I thought I was over being emotionally torn apart by the fae. Over the loss, over the heartache. Then today happens and all of that history is bubbling up as fresh grief, making the separation feel new all over again.”

Lydia placed a supportive hand on her shoulder. “First, don’t be so hard on yourself. Second, perhaps consider this an opportunity to search your feelings and gain the closure you’re looking for?”

Becka pulled herself up, straightening her shoulders. “You’re right. And full of appropriate platitudes, as per usual.” Becka blew her nose. “This is a learning opportunity, and if things get awful, I can always