“What is all this?” I ask the room, taking a step back from the doorway, my back collides with a hard chest. Strong arms wrap around me, halting my escape.
“I believe you are my sister. Eliza.” Ossias says brushing past me and who I can only assume is Rourke.
“That’s not possible.” I whisper, staring at the mirror image of myself in Ossias, that I can now see thanks to all the pictures around me. The memory of being chased by someone calling me Eliza hits full force and I stagger over to the nearest chair.
I’d been dreaming about running, I’m not sure what from but I knew I had to get away. The sound of the voice from the dream echoes in my mind, “Eliza… You can’t run forever. I will find you!”
I’m pushing out of Rourke’s embrace and running for the door before I can even think to do it. Rourke’s arms once again wrap around me from behind, pinning me against him. “You can’t run from this. There are some things in this life you must face head on and this is one of them.” His grip changes, loosening slightly as he turns us both around to face Ossias. “I do not believe this was the best way to convince her that we mean her no harm. Give her some time. I’ll take her home and we’ll return tomorrow.” Rourke pleads.
“I’ll allow it, under the condition you remain by her side until she returns to me.” Ossias’ voice is all command but the look of sadness on his face makes me second guess everything I think I know.
“Please return to me sister. I know this is a shock, but I truly believe you are Eliza, my lost sister.”
“Alright. I’ll return.” I hear myself whisper as I swallow down the lump in my throat.Could it really be true? Do I have family and a past after spending years thinking that I was all alone? No, it’s just not possible.
Rourke guides me back to the SUV he brought me here in and remains silent for the first five minutes of the wayward journey. After a while, he finally says, “I’m sorry, I warned him that if you were to see those photographs it would be upsetting and creepy.”
“You got that right.”
“Do you want me to take you straight home or would you prefer to just drive around for a bit?” He asks. His hand hovers over my knee for several seconds before he withdraws it, placing it down on his own lap. I know he means well, comforting someone when they’re upset is a normal reaction, but for me, it’s weird. Especially since the only people who have comforted me in the last few months have been the hybrids, Richard, and Jason.
I need time to think and if what Rourke said is true, then I’m safe where I am for now. “Just drive around for a while, but can we not go more than a few blocks, I don’t want to stretch the limits of the bond too much.” I admit.
“That we can do ir-Regina tieghi.”
SIXTEEN
Derrin
I can’t stop thinkingabout Areyna, even though she said she was doing this of her own freewill, I feel like she was being forced. I reach out telepathically, trying to reach her,Areyna, babe, just let me know you’re okay.There’s no response. Hasn’t been for near on an hour now.
Torren and Remmie have been arguing with Richard and Jason this entire time, which has led to all of them standing around the table slinging insults and shouted words. I’ve been ignoring them and staring out the window for the last ten minutes. Arguing isn’t getting us anywhere, so I don’t see the point in it.
There’s finally a lull in their shouts, so I ask, “Why are we just sitting here?” All I get in response is another round of accusations thrown between Jason and Richard. It’s like the two of them haven’t realised they’ve both been lying to each other their entire friendship, Jason is a Fae-witch and Richard is a full blood vampire, both have been hiding their true selves for years. If it were Torren or Remmie who had done that to me, I’d probably be angry for a while, then once I calmed down, I’d realise that whatever we are, we’re all still friends. We still have each other’s backs and we’re all still falling for the same girl.
That’s another thing they keep arguing about. Areyna. Richard thinks Areyna would be safer if she was taken to the Council, which I disagree with, the Council only ever looks out for themselves, meanwhile Jason thinks she should be hidden away somewhere she can be kept safe. I don’t agree with that either. She shouldn’t be forced into being hidden away.
As I stare out at the troops, I play with the necklace my mother gave me. It's an odd thing, the coin hanging from it, that is. Most people would put a hole in the coin to hang it off a necklace, but my mother went one step further and had an entire frame made to hold it. I’m still not sure what the significance of the coin is, but it was a gift from my mother, so I never take it off.
Richard and Jason start shouting again so I get up and walk over to the fridge.Maybe food will shut them all up.
SEVENTEEN
Torren
“Two fucking hours.We’ve been arguing for two fucking hours, meanwhile Areyna could be anywhere by now.” I snap, slamming my hands into the table and making the weird pink pig shaped salt and pepper shakers fall over.
“Why are we still sitting here?” Derrin asks for the millionth time.
“Oh for fucks sake, Areyna is only a block away and more than likely enjoying a few hours of space from you lot.” Jason snaps getting to his feet.
“What?” We all shout at once. I add, “You’ve known where she was this entire time, yet you made us rehash everything over and over instead of going and getting her?”
“I know where she is and I know she’s safe. There’s no need for us to all go storming in there when she’s perfectly fine.” Jason slams his own hand down on the table, but I interrupt his imminent tirade. “Where. Is. She?” I growl out.
“She’s now only one block that way,” Jason points to our left, past Remmie’s house. “She’s with Ossias Adel most likely. He’s perfectly safe. He’s more closely guarded than the fucking king of the vampires.” He glares at Richard as he says this.
“Who’s Ossias?” Remmie interrupts.