Page 135 of Lost

“How do you know this cat?” asked Aphrodite, looking over Kevin’s shoulder at Nala.

“I’m her vamp in my world. So, it totally makes sense that Kev is hers here,” I said.

“She’s a ginge,” said Aphrodite. “Which is unfortunate, but she’s still cute. No cat has ever chosen me, but I do like them.” She reached out tentatively to pet Nala, who flopped over on her back in Kevin’s arms so that Aphrodite could pet her belly.

“Does anyone know if this Tulsa has a cat-rescue group called Street Cats?” I asked as Stevie Rae, Rephaim, and I shared a conspiratorial look.

“Yes, they do. The House of Night supports it. Or they used to before Neferet started her annoying war,” said Aphrodite, still petting Nala.

Stevie Rae’s grin was gleeful. “Well, after we get this Neferet mess fixed maybe you should take a trip to Street Cats. And that’s all I’m sayin’ about it.”

“You’re a strange one, aren’t you?” Aphrodite said. When Stevie Rae opened her mouth to answer, Aphrodite held up her hand. “No, that was rhetorical.”

Steve Rae frowned at her, and then turned to me. “Z, Anastasia said she’ll show y’all to your rooms now so you have plenty of time to eat, clean up, and then get a good day’s sleep.”

Rephaim slid his arm intimately around her waist. “I am finding that sleep is underrated,” he said, as Stevie Rae blushed up at him.

“Oh, for shit’s sake—get a room. Sheesh.”

Aphrodite sounded so exactly like my Aphrodite that I snorted a laugh.

“Finding our rooms sounds good to me. And it looks like I’m going to need some cat stuff too,” Kevin said. “Right, Nala? Right, little girl cat?” He made kiss noises at her, which had me smiling. “Plus, I need to clean up. I wiped off that gross stinking blood crap I have to wear at a gas station on the way out here, but I swear I can still smell it somewhere under all that lavender Aphrodite squirted on me.”

“Is that what that is? And all this time I thought you were just farting!” giggled Stevie Rae.

“And you’re very,verysure the bumpkin and I are friends in your world?” Aphrodite muttered to me.

“Yep,” I said. “You’re why she’s like this. If our Aphrodite hadn’t sacrificed for Stevie Rae, she’d be a stinky monster and definitely not here with us.”

“Again, I’d really like to have a talk with my other self,” Aphrodite said.

“Hey, I grow on you,” Stevie Rae said. “You’ll see, if we’re here long enough.”

“You mean like a decade or so?” Aphrodite deadpanned.

I stifled a laugh by clearing my throat and quickly changing the subject. “So, where are we meeting Anastasia? I could use some food and a clean-up before bedtime too.”

“This way, Z. Anastasia’s sorting the OU and OSU shirts Johnny B brought back from T-Town. Man, I love me some football. I hope we get to watch at least a little of the game.Boomer Sooner!” Hand in hand, she and Rephaim started walking to where we would find Anastasia.

“She makes my head hurt,” Aphrodite said.

“Sometimes things are freakishly the same in both of our worlds,” was all I said.

“Come on, Zo. Let’s go find our rooms,” said Kevin.

“You guys go ahead. I need a few minutes to myself out here. Praying seems a good idea right now.”

“Okay, no problem. Anyone can tell you where to find Anastasia,” Kevin said.

Aphrodite and Kevin walked away, their heads together as they continued to pet and fuss over Nala. And I felt a jolt of surprise.When had Kev gotten so tall? He looks all grown-up!And that thought made my heart squeeze.

He and Aphrodite followed behind Stevie Rae and Rephaim, who were holding hands and sneaking kisses. I watched the two couples—because they were obviouslycouples.Aphrodite’s gaze sought out Kevin wherever he was in the cave, which was usually not far from wherever Aphrodite was. He was totally crushing on her, which was no surprise at all.

It made me lonely.

It made me miss Stark. Not Heath. Not anyone else. Stark. And with every bit of spirit and will and love within me I thought,I’m coming back to you, Stark! Please know how much I love you. Please believe in me like I believe in you.

I waited, hoping I’d feel something back—even a tiny echo of our connection. But all I felt was empty, and all I heard was the lonely beating of my solitary heart.