Chapter 26: Hot and Cold

Emily

“Um…” I’ve got to admit I’m a little thrown. Thomas went out to investigate a lead I cobbled together, and the first thing he does when he gets back is ask about my family? “Not much.”

He stares at me, then shrugs with his hands.

“Care to elaborate?”

“I told you my parents were dead. They died in a car crash not long after Raya and I got out of high school. We supported ourselves with the inheritance.”

Thomas inhales through his nose and leans back in his chair. Clearly, I’m not giving him the answer he wants.

“Ancestors?”

“What, you mean like one of those things where I spit into a tube and they mail me a family tree? Honestly, I never really looked too far into it.” He doesn’t even blink, so I roll my eyes and go on. “My grandparents on both sides were dead before I was born. I seem to remember mom’s side came from Europe somewhere. Wales, maybe?” None of this is helpful.

“And your father’s side?”