“A feather?” Cameo stared at the sky-blue plume resting on her mother’s hand.

“I’ve given you no reason to trust me,” Malika said, tears in her large black eyes. “Please trust me just once and accept this rare gift for protection. Show it to no one.”

Cameo reached out and took the feather into her hand. “I’m not afraid of Shade or anyone associated with him. You killed the one man I feared. And I guess I should thank you for that. But no more fighting, Mother. I’ve found my place here. I’m tired of all the drama. It’s not why I came to the US.”

“Shook betrayed me! Do you not have any loyalty to your own mother?” Anger flared in her black eyes.

Okay…this is getting intense, Cameo thought. I’m not gonna let it go any further. Her muscles tensed. “You shouldn’t be here. You’re not here! You’re only in my mind! Get the hell out!” Cameo shouted.

At that moment, Rush and Shook burst into the kitchen. Cameo saw Malika stiffen, her gaze drifting straight to Shook and fixating on him. “You…” She tilted her head. “You were a naughty, naughty boy…but you are still gorgeous…” Sadness swept over her exquisite face, followed by fury.

“And you’re a wanted criminal,” Shook stated coldly, then advanced toward her.

Malika raised one arm then whipped something at their feet. A plume of blue smoke rose from the floor. The cloud smelled faintly of wild roses. Then, without a sound, she was gone—just gone.

Cameo staggered backward as Shook and Rush combed the immediate area. She closed her hand around the feather.

“Rider! Stoke!” Rush yelled.

The two men bolted through the door into the kitchen. “What’s going on?” Stoke asked.

“Malika. Stay with Halo while we search the house,” Rush told them, then he and Shook took off.

“Are you okay, babe?” Stoke wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.

“I-I think so…I thought I was having a flashback. Am I?” She felt bewildered.

“No, sweetheart. You’re okay,” Rider assured her.