Free Ignited by Corrine Jackson

messages on the return ferry ride.
    R U OK? That one was from Asher. Lucy’s message was more to the point: WHERE THE HELL R U? I had known they would be angry and hurt that I had gone off on my own, and I braced myself for what was to come. I sent them a message of BE HOME SOON and tucked my phone away.
    I retrieved my car from the Pier 39 lot and drove to the house, checking constantly to ensure I wasn’t followed. Eventually, I pulled into the garage and sat in the unmoving car, gathering myself for the coming fight. My door opened, and I was yanked out of my seat. Furious was one way to describe Asher’s expression. Apoplectic was another. Over his shoulder, Lucy appeared, and she didn’t look much better.
    “Where have you been?” Asher asked, his voice deep with rage.
    “Meeting Erin. I left you a note.”
    I didn’t mean to sound so defensive, but the words came out that way.
    “A note? You go off alone, and you leave a fucking note.” Lucy glared at me in disbelief. “I can’t believe you.”
    I opened my mouth to answer her, but Asher shook me. “You do whatever you want with no regard for anyone else. Do you know what we went through when we realized you’d left?”
    Asher released me when I stepped back, and his hands formed into fists at his sides. “I’m sorry I worried you, but I had to go. I was careful.”
    “Oh, well, it’s okay you scared us to death so long as you were careful .” Sarcasm oozed from Lucy’s words. She looked ready to yell more, but suddenly turned on her heel, heading for the stairs to the house. “You know what? I can’t even look at you right now.”
    That hurt like a bitch. I’d expected anger, but nothing this extreme. “Erin is going to help us,” I called out. Lucy paused on the stairs, her body tensing. “I told her about Dad, and she’s going to see what she can find out.”
    After a few seconds, Lucy continued on without responding. That left Asher to deal with. I shut the car door and leaned against it. He studied me, and I struggled not to squirm under the intense perusal.
    He shook his head. “You’re not really sorry, are you? Not really.”
    I lifted my chin. “I’m sorry I worried you,” I repeated.
    “But not that you went alone,” he guessed, widening his stance.
    There was an odd acceptance in his words that unsettled me. It sounded too close to defeat. “What was I supposed to do, Asher? Lucy is in enough danger. If I could keep her away from one meeting, why wouldn’t I? And you . . .”
    I stopped, unwilling to admit that I hadn’t trusted him. Deep down, I had worried about how he would react if we encountered Alcais or another Healer. I paced away from Asher to hide my expression. How could I tell him how alone I’d been since he’d shut me out? How abandoned I’d felt since we’d begun on this journey?
    He’d been wrong about one thing. I was changing— and I had nobody to confide in. The last time I’d felt safe had been with Gabe. Unbidden, I pictured Asher’s brother as I’d last seen him in the Blackwells’ kitchen. He’d said things that had terrified me. Things I’d tried to forget. I hadn’t spoken to him in months, but a sudden yearning rose up in me to hear his voice.
    I jumped when Asher laughed in a harsh voice. “What’s so funny?” I asked, confused.
    “Not a damn thing. Certainly not that you’re standing in front of me and wishing my brother was here instead.”
    His words set my teeth on edge. “That’s not true,” I said stiffly.
    “You care for Gabe,” he accused, his jaw working.
    I scowled. “I’ve told you that I care for Gabe. He’s my friend.”
    Asher laughed again, and the bitter sound grated on my nerves. “Right. A friend. That’s all you feel for him. Lie to me, but don’t lie to yourself, Remy.”
    I was so sick of fighting this accusation. I’d chosen Asher. Even Gabe knew that. Asher was the one walking away, not me. “Are you really going there?” I asked, the words