AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He ached to reach over, brush her hair back, and tell her that despite the curse he was falling in love with her. How could he not be? But what good would it do? She would never believe it. And after everything he and his family had done to her, it seemed cruel to play with her emotions like that. She clearly had serious misgivings about him, and she was frightened by his family. He noticed the way she purposely avoided shadows and tossed and turned in her sleep, sometimes muttering words like “stop” and “help me.” He didn’t think she would sleep at all except her body demanded it after all the blood she’d lost and the energy she had expended. He would do his best to make up for everything. He would prove his love for her by giving his life. Then she would be free to live her life as she pleased. To find love and have those babies both she and he dreamed of having. The world would have more of her in it, and that gave him some comfort.
Eric focused back on driving. The sun was barely creeping over the horizon, and he should have been exhausted, but Sorrel had picked some plant outside of the cabin and worked her magic on it before telling him to chew it. He teased her that she’d probably poisoned it. She didn’t even crack a smile. He ate it anyway. It didn’t taste half-bad, and almost immediately he’d felt as if he’d had a full night’s rest. He was stumped as to how she could still use her Tellus gifts. He’d thought with the book destroyed she would no longer be able to. Perhaps their abilities weren’t tied to the books. There was so much he didn’t know. Sorrel’s other abilities only deepened the mystery.
They had already been on the road for over four hours, taking all the Georgia back roads they could. They had stopped for gas just outside of Blue Ridge at one of those seedy all-night places—it probably had criminals running it, so they didn’t care if their customers were ones too—and bought an atlas. Thankfully, Sorrel had packed her emergency cash. And no one seemed to recognize them. Without their cell phones they had no idea if they’d made the news yet. Sorrel was so beside herself thinking about how worried her friends and customers must be, especially Josie and Mateo. She shed several tears thinking about the weddings she’d missed. Eric wanted to tell her that maybe she could go back after it was all said and done, but there would be too many questions surrounding her that would expose her for who she really was. Even with his family gone, that could be dangerous. Honestly, he was surprised no one had caught on before now. Though even he had been fooled. He had known she was hiding something; he’d just never guessed she was a Praeditus like him.
As much as mortals loved to watch movies and read books about supernatural abilities, deep down they didn’t want those things to be true. It would throw their world into a panic if they had to believe in the things that go bump in the night. Things like his family. No. It was better for the world and Sorrel if she kept her gifts hidden. Though Eric knew she wouldn’t. She would help people to her own detriment. And that’s one of the reasons why he was falling in love with her. He’d never met such a selfless person. He’d had no idea someone like her even existed.
Sorrel stirred and it made his pulse rise. He knew she hated him, but despite that he wanted to spend every last second with her that he could, even if she only gave him dirty looks. At least if she was looking at him, he could admire her.
She stretched and yawned, giving Eric a nice view of all her lines and curves.
“How are you feeling?” Eric asked.
She settled against the fine leather seat and stroked Tara, who was faithfully curled up on her lap. “Better.” She grabbed her water bottle from the console’s cup holder and took a large drink. She hadn’t had much of an appetite, but at least she was drinking.
Eric thought she still looked pale, though he didn’t mention it. If only she would believe him and heal the wounds her body bore inside and out.
“How much farther do we have to go?” She stared out at the horizon filled with hayfields and cows.
“Probably another four hours. Are you sure you want to see your mother? What if her body’s already been discovered?”
Sorrel’s entire frame tensed, and she sniffled. “I doubt anyone knows she’s missing. She distrusts mortals and made it a point to never get close to anyone besides me and my father.”
