Cleo jumps off the bed before hopping onto my dresser. She paws at one of my pendants.
I yank the sheets off and follow her before grinning. “That one?” I eye the bloodstone crystal. “I could probably go for a little courage, huh? All right.” I eye the deep green gemstone with itsbeautiful red spots. Then, I slip the healing crystal onto my chain and tuck it into my shirt.
A sense of dread tries to creep up on me, but I’m determined to shove it away along with those images of Darius getting hurt. I take a deep breath. “I’ll form a plan. I have plenty of time to figure something out.” Cleo mews as if she understands. Before my alarm can go off and scare the shit out of me, I reach for my phone and turn it off, seeing there’s a text from Stacy waiting for me.
Stacy: Got called into work early. But don’t worry, I made you a pot of coffee. I know how monstrous you can get without your caffeine. *Wink emoji*
Stacy: Call me if you need me.
Kaleb: You’re a freaking angel. Thanks for the coffee.
I grin as I make my way into the kitchen. Sure enough, the smell of the delicious brew with hints of hazelnut floats in the air. After my first cup of coffee, I turn on my music and let it play through the Bluetooth speakers. Anything to shake off the fear rolling through me. “I’m not going to let anything happen to Darius,” I say out loud.
I hop into the shower and let the hot water soothe my aching muscles. I must have been tensed up after such an intense vision.
Getting ready for the day calms my nerves.
Around noon, Cleo is in her little car seat carrier, happily purring while I drive. She’s used to traveling with me and has never once tried to run. I like to pretend that Cleo and I are attuned to each other’s feelings, and there’s a reason she’s in my life.
As I make my way through town, I drive toward the cemetery to visit my foster mom, Elizabeth. It’s been three months since she passed away, but I try to chat with her there often. She once told me I didn’t need to visit her grave just to talk to her, that she’d be with me in spirit anywhere I went. But there’s something about visiting the cemetery that helps me feel more connected to her. Even if I’m just walking around the cemetery, it helps me concentrate. I don’t feel silly when I chat with her there.
I need to kill some time before driving to that spot from my vision, because I already know that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to pull off to the side of the road at thirty minutes till three and wait. I don’t even know if the vision is supposed to happen today. But regardless, I’ll wait there for Darius to appear every day if I have to. Nothing will stop me from saving that man’s life.
Chapter six
Darius
Beliefs about soulmates vary among every paranormal group, species, and subspecies. However, there are several similarities that can’t be ignored. Such as sharing memories and dreams. Certain fated mates are even thought to have the ability to communicate through their bond, the magical thread that ties them together.
-From the Encyclopedia of Otherworldly Creatures
Images of the car accident replay in my mind’s eye. A shiver slides down my spine. It sounds macabre, but it’s a secret blessing in disguise. I don’t think Kaleb knows it yet, but he’s saved my life. All week, he has been sending me his vision through the small bond that had started forming in the club. But this morning was different. This morning, I knew exactly where to go to find my mate.
At three on the dot, I pull onto the highway. My sporty Lexus IS 500 tears down the road. She might not be the most luxurious car on the market, but she was still a big splurge for me. Within a minute or two, it’s as if the heavens have opened up as rain pours down. I chuckle to myself, wondering if the Fates have a sense of humor. I’ve escaped death many times, and today won’t be any different.
I always imagined what it would be like to share dreams and memories with my fated mate, but nothing could have prepared me for this. The clock hits 3:04 pm, my phone rings, and I smile. Today’s the day. Even though I already know it’s Zero calling, I answer as soon as I spot his name on the caller ID.
“I can’t believe you had a lead on the Dumas heir, and you let him get away,” he says by way of greeting, his voice rumbling through my car’sBluetooth.
I roll my eyes. “I told you, I was surrounded by several hundred people, some of them human and several of them not. My magic has a hard time detecting the source.” Without meaning to, I’ve repeated the words from the vision.
Zero chuckles. “Right, and it’s not like you were too busy kissing a pretty human.” I don’t bother correcting him. I’m not entirely sure how everyone, including Kaleb’s parents, will react when they find out I’m Kaleb’s fated mate. Will they be upset that the Dumas heir, who is practically royalty, is fated to a hybrid? Will they think I tricked him? Or them?
“Earth to Darius. Damn, that little human really does have you distracted, doesn’t he?”
I hum my agreement. Images of those plush lips and striking eyes come to mind. Seriously, what has gotten into me? I’ve never let my attraction to someone get in the way of a mission before, and definitely not one so important.
I shouldn’t be surprised, though. I’ve always been attracted to others’ magic, but Kaleb is the dangerous sort. Not because of all that untapped power, or because he’s my fated, but because I’m attracted to all of him. His magic, his personality, his looks. He’s the whole damn package. Is it wrong to want to keep him to myself for a bit?
“Please tell me you have a lead.”
“Actually, I do,” I reply as I peer over at the passenger’s seat. In Kaleb’s vision, he was sitting here right next to me. Up ahead, I spot the sign for Walnut Road. Visions always work in mysterious ways. Deep down, I know that Kaleb and I were left in the dark about where and when this vision would unfold until we were finally given the clue. It’s why I know I’m not meant to die today. I’ve been given the key to prevent it.
Plus, I know I joke, but if it really is my time to go, there’s no way of actually fighting Fate.
When the sign comes into view, I begin to merge over, slowing down. There’s a white Camry already parked in front of the sign. My mer vision allows me to see him clearly through the rain. He’s soaked, but even worse, his anxious expression makes me feel awful. Gods, how long has he been standing there, just waiting for me? The memory of Kaleb’s scream echoes in my mind. I should have shown up earlier. The need to comfort him is strong.
“I gotta go, Zero. I’ll call you back when I have more information,” I tell him, ending the call.
