Invisible

Invisible Chapter 14

“What about his real family, where he came from?” I demand, exasperation thick in my voice.

Robin stares at me with the infuriating look that says I have once again asked the world’s stupidest question. “We have no idea where Aerlings come from or who their real families are.”

“What?” Mason asks. “But you have to know something.”

“So, what? Aerlings just pop up out of thin air and drop on Caretakers’ doorsteps?” Evie asks. The sarcasm is hard to miss.

“They must come from somewhere,” Mom adds softly. “Someone must deliver them to the Caretakers, Robin. Surely someone will know something that might help Mason.”

Confusion is plastered across Robin’s face. For all her snotty looks, it’s pretty plain that this is the first time she’s actually tried to answer these questions. Apparently, she’s coming up blank. Her eyes dart back and forth to each of us. “I…I don’t know.”

“Is there someone who could help us find out?” Mason asks.

Before Robin can answer, I start shaking my head. “No way. We’re not telling anyone else about this. Robin knowing the truth is bad enough.”

Looking wounded, Robin doesn’t jump to her immediate defense. She takes a few moments to gather herself before speaking. “Olivia, I’m not going to hurt Mason. I feel like I have been given a second chance to prove myself and there’s no way I’m going to squander it. Even more, I care about Mason a great deal. I would never do anything to hurt him. Please, you can trust me.”

A great deal? My mind seems stuck on those few words. What right does she have to say that? She’s known him for a couple of weeks. I’ve known Mason for twelve years. I’ve been the one protecting him! Shouldn’t I know how best to keep him safe?

“You can’t tell anyone about Mason,” I say through gritted teeth. “We’ve already got Sentinels sniffing around and breaking into our house. It’s too much of a risk.”

“What if you can’t protect him from this on your own?” Robin asks.

What if? What if Robin had never stumbled into us? What if we continued living our lives just as they were? What if she hadn’t led Sentinels to us, on purpose or not? What if Mason could have just stayed with us forever, safe and lost to this other world Robin claims he belongs in?

The rant continues in my head. It might have continued forever if Mason squeezing my hand didn’t draw my eyes up to his. The blue of his irises are so dark, they’re almost black. The pain filling them makes my heart ache, but what really stops my runaway thoughts is the glint of hope sparkling in the silver ring, turning my thoughts in a new direction.

What if Mason had been forced to continue his life in the background? What if his unhappiness at being the guy no one can see burdened him to the point of misery? What if his true identity had never been revealed and he spent his life feeling like a mistake? What if Robin hadn’t shown up and warned us about Sentinels? What if there is a way to give Mason the life he deserves?

I look over at Mom for help. I don’t know what to do. What if Robin isn’t being honest? If she trusts the wrong person or speaks too candidly and Mason is taken or harmed, I’ll never forgive her. I think Mom sees every thought running through my mind. Her expression is thoughtful as she says, “The choice is yours, Olivia.”

“What? Why?” I need help. I want to cry. I want someone to tell me what to do!

Mom smiles, small and thin. “I love Mason like my own flesh and blood, but he belongs to you more than anyone else. You took him in, took care of him when no one else believed you, protected him. The two of you share a bond more powerful than I can understand. I trust whatever decision you make because I know you would never do anything to put Mason in danger.”

A shaky breath pours out of me as I fall back against the couch. I feel like the weight of the world has just been laid on my shoulders. Or maybe just the weight of Mason’s life. It presses down on me, making me unsure, afraid. Everyone seems to be looking to me for answers, but I don’t have them. I just don’t know.

“What would the other Caretakers do if they found out Mason was living with us?” I ask quietly.

Robin’s mouth pops open, at first eager to fill the silence, but it snaps shut immediately after. Her eyes drop to her lap. “They would insist on taking him to a new Caretaker family.”

The tension in the room triples.

“Not because you guys haven’t done a great job,” Robin hurriedly says, “but just because we have rules, laws. Caretakers make very serious covenants to protect Aerlings with their lives.”

Evie’s face screws up in disgust. “Some people must take those promises more seriously than others.” She sneers at Robin. “We’ve done well enough on our own, no promises needed. For us, it’s enough that we love Mason.”

“Evie!” Mom snaps. The harsh tone surprises everyone. It’s such a rare thing to hear coming out of her mouth. She seems a little surprised herself. After taking a deep breath, Mom continues. “It is not your place to doubt Robin’s love for her Aerling or her devotion to protecting her.”

“But …” Evie begins. Another sharp look from Mom cuts her off.

Mom looks over at Robin. “I apologize for Evie’s attitude. We’re grateful that you’re willing to help us, but I think we all agree that we have no intention of handing Mason over to anyone, Caretaker or Sentinel.”

“Absolutely not,” I agree. My hand tightens around Mason’s. He smiles at me appreciatively and echoes my words.

“I…I wasn’t suggesting that,” Robin says. “I don’t want Mason taken away either.”

“Then what?” I ask.

Robin looks up nervously. “I could ask a few questions without mentioning Mason. Find out what I can about where Aerlings come from…if anyone even knows.”

“Someone knows,” Mason says, his voice low and very nearly menacing.

“Who would you ask?” I demand. From what she said earlier, they’re cut off from most of the other Caretakers.

The way her shoulders square up gives me hope. “I could ask my parents.”

The hope fades. “No.”

Everyone looks at me with a questioning glance. Really? Am I the only one that sees what a terrible idea that would be? I shake my head, refusing to relent.

“Robin, your parents move you around every few years to protect you from the Sentinels. What do you think they’d do if you started asking questions about Aerlings when you just admitted that you’ll never have one of your own? There’s no way they wouldn’t be suspicious.”

“I would be careful,” Robin says. The defensiveness in her voice in no way changes my mind.

I’m not trying to hurt her feelings, but the snort escapes my lips before I can stop it. “Robin, you’re not subtle. At all. I know you would try, but more likely than not, your first question will tell them something is up. What do you think they would do if you told them you found an orphaned Aerling hanging out with some random family?”

She doesn’t answer.

“They’d freak out, haul you off to who knows where, and send someone to collect Mason.”

I want information, but I will only risk so much to get it. Making sure that Mason is safe is my top priority. Going to the Caretakers is too dangerous. No matter how good of a job we’ve done hiding and caring for Mason, they’ll want him back. As far as I can figure, they must assume he was killed by the Sentinels that murdered his family. I think it should stay that way.

“I’m sorry, Robin, but we’re going to have to figure this out on our own.”

Surprisingly enough, no one argues with me.

Mom pats my arm gently and nods while Evie continues to glare at Robin. I wasn’t really expecting Evie to side with Robin on anything, so that’s not surprising. I look over at Mason to make sure he’s okay with this plan. He isn’t looking at me, though. A look passes between him and Robin. When they both turn to face me, they nod in agreement, but that wasn’t what their look said a minute ago.