“Oh, hon, I’m so sorry. I wish I were there to give you a big hug. You’ve really been through a lot of emotions these last weeks.”
“I have,” I agree. “Kendra, what should I do?”
“I can’t tell you what to do. That has to be your decision. But the way I see it, you have two choices. You can ditch his ass now, because you are a goddess and if he doesn’t realize that, he’s not worth your time . . .”
My stomach knots at the thought, even though it’s probably the smart thing to do. “What’s the other option?”
“You woman-up and ask him. Tell him what you overheard. Hear what he has to say. Something doesn’t add up. The way he’s been treating you doesn’t line up with what you overheard. There may be an explanation. And if not, then you know what kind of guy he is, and you can walk away knowing you’re better for it.”
I take a shaky breath. “You’re right,” I say, a touch of peace settling over me.
“Aren’t I always?”
A laugh bubbles up in my chest. “I really miss you.”
“Me too.”
There’s some sort of commotion behind Kendra, then she says she’s putting me on speaker phone. A moment later, Tate says, “Haven, is that you?”
“It is!” I answer, excited that I get to talk to her, however brief.
“Are you coming back?” she asks bluntly, taking me aback.
“Um. No, not yet. We’re going somewhere safe.”
“Where?”
“Whoa,” Kendra says. “Not even a ‘how are you?’ for our long-lost friend?”
“I’m just worried about her,” Tate says, sounding snippy.
“We’re headed to Gettysburg.”
It’s such a random location, but there’s something about Cassian’s magic being strongest where blood has been spilled. Kinda creepy actually, but I’m trying not to dwell on it. I’m certainly not going to tell Tate about that. If I live through this whole ordeal, I may open up to them about the creatures in the world, and about me, but now isn’t the time.
“In Pennsylvania?” Tate asks.
“Yes. There’s somewhere for us to lay low near there,” I say, stretching the truth.
“How long are you going to be there?” Tate sounds off. She’s the most caring of the group, yet she’s practically interrogating me.
“I’m so sorry, but I have to go.” I’ve already been in the bathroom too long. Any longer and someone is going to come looking for me for sure.
“Wait. Where in Gettysburg are you going to be,” Tate asks.
“Tate,” Kendra says, “lay off her.”
“I love you guys,” I say.
“We love you too,” Kendra says for the both of them. “Call us again when you get the chance. And make sure not to wait so long next time.”
“I won’t,” I promise, even though I shouldn’t.
Who knows how long I’ll be in the creature world for. This might actually be the last time I ever talk to them. My throat tightens with emotion as I say goodbye and hang up.
Before leaving the bathroom, I do a quick check to make sure my eyes aren’t too red from the unshed tears threatening to spill over. I splash some cold water on my face and blot it dry then step out of the small single-stall room.
Leaning against the wall, waiting for me, is Locklyn.
