Page 281 of Volik

Rune

Ihit play on my voicemail, then set my phone on the table.

“Happy birthday, Honey!” “Happy birthday, Princess!” My parents shout in unison.

I walk the few feet between the little breakfast table and the kitchen in my studio apartment.

“Sorry we missed you,” my mom singsongs. “I wanted to catch you right at your birth time, but we have to run out. We’re meeting some friends for cribbage. But we love you and hope you’re out doing something fun.”

“I picked out the bracelets!” Dad shouts.

I roll my eyes as I pull a box opener out of my junk drawer.

“Bye.” My mom hangs up.

“Bye,” I say into the silence.

I flip the knife open and push the blade out.

Using my other hand, I turn the small cardboard box on my table.

I might not be doing something fun according to their standards, but Dad just unwittingly told me what’s inside this gift from them.

I snort as I drag the blade along the center of the tape. He really is⁠—

My hand jerks back before my brain even registers the pain.

“Shit,” I hiss, setting the box opener down.

I turn back to the kitchen, heading for the sink.

A spot of blood wells on the tip of my thumb, where I nicked it.

My feet stop.

Without thinking about it, without trying to stop myself, I bring my hand to my lips and put the tip of my thumb into my mouth.

My eyes close.

They open.

And I gasp.

What?

Freezing rain whips against me and I squint to see through it.

WHAT?

A fierce gust of wind blows my red curls across my face.

I shove my hair out of my eyes as I blink.

I blink again. And again.

But the coldness doesn’t disappear. And the wind doesn’t die.

And the fact that I’m standing on some sort of fucking mountain remains the same.