“You graduated early?”
I was dumbfounded. I’d had it on my calendar, and I was positive it wasn’t supposed to happen for another two months. Her eyebrow flicked up, and she rolled her eyes, not answering me.
“Why didn’t you call me in the last year?” I couldn’t hide the wounded edge to my words.
“You never once contacted me. I thought you were done with me.”
I stared at her, having no clue what to say. “For the last year, you sent me to voicemail every time I tried.”
“Yeah, like, three times.” She snorted, and my face warmed. That was true. After that, my calls had fizzled. My life had gotten busier. I’d let my contentedness get in the way of trying harder.
“What about my letters with the money? I sent one to you every month.” She shot up, eyebrows together as she leveled a doubtful gaze on me. She never received my letters…? “I swear I sent letters…” My voice trailed off as I tried to think of what could have happened.
“Him,” we said simultaneously, the disgust evident by our scrunched noses. Our dad must have intercepted them and thrown them in the trash after taking the money. Hell, Mother had to have helped him, too.
I rubbed my head and groaned. “We have a shitshow of a family.”
Annie giggled, but it cut off abruptly as if she hadn’t expected to laugh. She turned serious. “Did you really send letters?”
The vulnerable tone made my stomach sink and tears well. I nodded, unable to speak. My fingers twitched to reach out and touch her clenched hand, but I knew she wasn’t ready. I had to give her time.
“I know I have a lot to make up for, and I swear to you on Damon and Stefan Salvatore’s hotness that I will.” A smile peeked out at the mention of the main characters from our favorite show. “But I have some… stuff I have to take care of first,” I started.
“You’re leaving again?” Her head whipped in my direction, and she pierced me with an accusing glance.
“It’s not like that,” I said, rushed. I hated this—we were supposed to run off together and start our lives. Now, I had a whole species relying on me to figure out how to free magic, and no one even knew where to start. “I got involved with some people that need my help. I’m hoping it won’t take long—”
She snorted. “I don’t need to hear excuses. Just go.”
“I-I, no, look, you can go to my place in Texas.” God, hopefully Jeff hadn’t moved out after I didn’t come back. “I have money saved up with—with my friend. Get it from him and find a place for us to live.”
The words were said in desperation. I didn’t know how long it would take for me to do what I had to, but I had to see it through. As soon as that business was done, I could come back and we could continue our lives.
Rubbing my temples, I remembered time passed differently there. I couldn’t be in Faerie long. For all I knew, she’d be an old lady when I get back out here. I pursed my lips when my head began throbbing. That was an issue for later. The first order of business was getting her out of this shithole. She gazed at the television blankly.
“Please,” I said. Crossing her arms, she sunk deeper into the couch. A familiar stubborn expression settled on her face. “I promise I’ll come back—”
The door slammed open and bounced off the wall. I jumped up and was at Rian’s side in seconds. Realizing what I’d done, my eyes widened, and I looked at Annie.
Her mouth was in a circle, and her eyes looked almost ready to fall out of her head. “What was that?”
“I’ll explain later.” I turned my attention to Rian. His hand fisted at his side repeatedly. “What happened?”
“I sense a pack of werewolves nearby. We must leave. Now.”
“But—” I shut my mouth as Annie came close enough to hear our conversation.
“What’s going on? Who is he?” She narrowed her eyes at him, and Rian met her gaze. When she registered how striking he was, she blushed and looked at her toes.
Rian nodded politely but otherwise remained impassive. I pressed my lips together, so I wouldn’t laugh at her obvious attraction. I waved a hand around my ear to scare away the buzzing fly. With a jolt, I realized it was my enhanced hearing. I focused. Were those motorcycles? Reality check. Rian said werewolves were coming. Shit. I rubbed my neck. Rian wasn’t overreacting.
“How did they find us?”
“I told you. They sensed you near. I’m surprised it’s only,” he paused and eyed Annie, who was shamelessly eavesdropping, “them. I wouldn’t doubt more types come this way soon. You’re exuding too much… energy.”
The careful way he worded everything heightened my anxiety. I wished I could just transfer my knowledge to her. It would make everything a whole lot easier.
“What I warned you about,” he finished pointedly. I narrowed my eyes at him. He couldn’t help rubbing it in.
“You said this aura eventually goes away, right?”
“Yes, as long as no abilities are used.” Well, the good thing was I didn’t even know how to even access any abilities. “We must go. These dogs will not let up until they capture and kill each and every one of us.” The curl of his lip told me what he thought of the werewolves.
“Of course,” I muttered and grabbed my sister’s arm. She yelped, and I quickly released her. “Sorry.”
“What the hell, Rae? When did you get freakishly strong?”
I ignored her, my shoulders bunching with every second that passed. “She’s coming with us. I need to make sure she goes somewhere safe.”
Rian glanced at her, then
