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Chapter TwentyI kept tossing and turning, debating whether I should get up and make myself an elixir to help me fall asleep. I couldn’t remember the last time sleep had eluded me like this. Honestly, I was afraid to leave my bed. I’d even kept the light on. I’d never been afraid of the dark before, but I felt as if something watched me from the shadows. Tara didn’t help by walking across my bed for an hour, hissing every now and then, as if she were guarding me. My thoughts of Eric had also contributed to the restlessness. He’d never called. And I was an idiot.
With those lovely thoughts, I gave in. I needed to sleep. I had to be up early to finish decorating a wedding cake. I sat up and stretched, trying to talk myself into coming out from under the covers though I still felt unsettled. Maybe I would ask Josie if I could stay with her the rest of the weekend. We’d had girls’ nights before. Hopefully she wouldn’t want to hook up with anyone from the wedding we both had to attend much later today. In an act of bravery, I threw off my covers. But as soon as I did, my spidey senses started to tingle. I froze and looked around. I was such a child. Then it dawned on me. Maybe it was the book? Perhaps this was what my mother had been talking about for years when she’d said she would get a tingling feeling. Had it finally decided to speak?
I swung my legs around and planted them firmly on the floor before reaching for the knob on the nightstand. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Maybe this was really going to happen. I wondered what it had to say. It would be a lie if I said I didn’t wish it had something to do with Eric. With great anticipation, I twisted the knob and pulled out the hidden drawer. But the excitement quickly turned to panic when I realized I was staring into an empty space. How could that be? I opened and shut the drawer a few times, thinking maybe I’d opened it incorrectly.
I jumped up. Had I looked at the book again after I’d scolded it just hours ago? No. I checked behind the nightstand in hopes it had fallen out somehow. Next, I threw the covers off my bed. Nothing. Then I looked under my bed, only to find a few dust bunnies. The book was nowhere to be found in my room or bathroom. I ran out into my living area and like a madwoman tossed every cushion and pillow I owned. Nothing. Then I tore the kitchen apart searching.
I held my stomach through my pink nightshirt, trying not to toss my cookies. Where had the book gone? How could this be happening? Maybe it just disappeared on its own. That could happen, right? The curse could just be broken. Except I still felt this connection to the book.
I stumbled toward my room, my heart beating erratically enough to make me feel as if I might pass out. I knew who I had to contact. She was going to kill me. The biggest rule of the book was to keep it safe. I’d promised my parents I would, and I had failed. I sat on my bed and tried to calm my mind enough to reach out to my mother.
Mom, I cried.
Sorrel, what’s wrong?
I had no idea how to say it.
Sorrel. You’re scared. I can feel it. What happened?
I grabbed my stomach. The book is missing.
What do you mean it’s missing?
It’s gone. I can’t find it anywhere.
You must be mistaken. Retrace your steps.
I did. It’s gone.
That’s not possible. Did you leave it out? Did someone take it?
I stared at the empty drawer. No.
Sorrel, books don’t just disappear.
Are we sure? What if it means the curse is broken?
My mother paused.
What is it?
Sorrel, the only way to destroy the book is to give your life.
What? You lied to me. You said my book might tell me how to break the curse if I ever found the other book. When were you going to tell me the truth? What kind of sick curse was this?
Only if ever we found the Selenes’ book. I didn’t want you to carry the burden. I would give my life so that you could live.
I wouldn’t let you.
Which is why I never told you. Sorrel, who took the book? Fear laced her thoughts.
No one.
What about that reporter?
I haven’t seen him in days, and I saw the book only hours ago.
Are you sure? Has anyone been to your place?
Yes, I was sure. Eric wouldn’t take my book. He had no use for it. Except I did have that dream about him. But it was just a dream. Well . . . I helped a young mother with her sick baby, but she couldn’t have taken the book.
