Sins of Mine - Mary E. Twomey Page 0,1

it clear that he is very much against us. The same goes for employers, who have no interest in giving jobs to any of us, no matter the fact that we were incarcerated for crimes that were never ours to begin with.

“Maybe Sloan is going to tell me that he’s suddenly found a way to manifest apartments for everyone, along with jobs so we can pay for them. That’s a thing, right?”

Charlotte pinches my cheeks, as if my optimism is cute. “Absolutely.” She looks out the window over the sink and sighs contentedly. I wish I had her sense of peace.

When she turns her chin in my direction, I can tell something is on her mind. “Arlanna’s father used his heightened persuasion to convince the cabinet to grant us all our freedom, so no police force is coming after us. But you still look like you’re afraid someone’s going to come onto the property and snatch it all away.”

That’s exactly what I worry about. It keeps me up at night. I wonder if the air I breathe that has no stench of concrete to it will be stolen just as quickly as we claimed it for ourselves.

“They could change their minds back just as easily,” I remind her. “My father doesn’t just accept that he’s lost his hold on his favorite law that lined the treasury nicely. The Sins of the Father bill is still in effect. I’m…” I glance around at the house I’m too afraid to claim as my home. “I’ve never had this much freedom. Even before Prigham’s, I had people telling me where to go and what to do. Today, I woke up when I felt like it, ate what I wanted, and I’ll meet up with Sloan when it’s convenient for me.” I shake my head. “It’s a whole new life for me. It’s so grand; I know it’s got to be too good to be true.”

“Baby,” she coos, coming over to kiss the top of my head. Her arms circle my neck, and she leans her chin atop my blond hair. “Give yourself some time to relax here. Put down some roots. Nothing’s going to be snatched away. This is our home now.”

I hold on to her arm, closing my eyes. “How long until it’s taken away?”

“You’re a good person, Paxton. Sooner or later, you’ll realize you deserve a few good things. You’re my good thing, big brother.”

I kiss her palm, and finally release her. “I love you.”

She picks up an orange from the bowl of fruit on the table and starts to peel it, leaning against the granite counter. The blue walls of the kitchen pair well with the blond wood details of the cabinets and floor.

Though Arlanna swore the country ranch wasn’t ready to be lived in yet, I suspect that’s only because she was still fussing over a rug, or some small detail like that. Our little family has more than enough space—Arlanna, Gray, Cassia, Charlotte, Sloan and myself.

Cassia Chang jumps down too many stairs, landing with a thud on the hard wood that runs the length of the contemporary ranch. “Anyone want to go for a run with me?” Her inky hair is pulled back in a ponytail. Cassia owns two outfits: black pants and a black tank top, and slightly baggier black pants and a faded black tank top.

Charlotte flits over to Cassia and boops her girlfriend’s nose. “I’m always so content, thinking how compatible we are for each other. Then you say things like “go for a run,” and I begin to forget all of that. Have fun on your run, hun.” She grins at her impromptu rhyme.

Cassia kisses Charlotte, and I can’t help but watch. Cassia is so different, now that we’re on the outside. Cassia Chang went from angry and aggressive to centered and calm. I actually caught her singing to herself yesterday.

Well, she’s not entirely serene. I mean, it is Cassia, after all.

Cassia moves into the kitchen and grabs a goblet, filling it with water she pours straight from her palm. Though the tap is right there, our free access to magic makes each small flick of the wrist a treat we all treasure.

“Are you teaching your ‘Tap Back into Your Magic’ class later on?” Cassia casually inquires, downing a few swallows.

My mouth pulls to the side. “I’m not going to call it that, no matter how many times you suggest it. It’s not even a class. It’s just hanging out and figuring out how