Page 60 of Sight of Fate

Elijah slips on a pair of flip flops at the door. Am I the only one who finds it freaking cold here? I follow him out to the beat-up Range Rover in the garage. Teeth chattering, I hop in and hug my notebook to my chest.

He takes one look at me and turns the heat on full blast.

“Thank you,” I murmur, slightly uneasy being in the car with someone I don’t know. “You can drop me off at the office. I’ve got more work to do.”

Elijah nods. “What you did for Sam…I’m in your debt.” His voice is gruff as if he doesn’t like owing someone. I can relate.

“Sam and Covey are lucky to have all of you,” I tell him, wishing I’d had someone to call for help. “And let’s call it even.” When he gives me a puzzled look, I motion to the snow around us. “You closed the pass. Early.”

He shifts restlessly. “Were you in a similar situation?”

My fingers twist as I think about it. After seeing Covey’s situation, I’m thankful I didn’t have to endure years of Hank’s abuse. “Let’s just say…Greystone offered me an escape.” I take a deep breath and peer out at the pristine white landscape. Sometimes I wish the snow would stay forever.

His hands tighten on the steering wheel. “I’m sure Teague would understand if you took the rest of the day off.”

Sitting in my apartment alone sounded so appealing a week ago. Now, not so much. “The office, please.” I remember what Teague said about the family who owns The Fork. Elementals. Magic. I want to ask him to show me, but he’s a little too intimidating. Maybe if he were the blond with the friendly green eyes…

He pulls up to the curb, and I look over at him. “Thanks, Elijah. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”

His eyes narrow as he regards me. “Whipping up a few extra feet of snow is nothing. What you did today…Sam’s part of my family. I won’t forget it.”

I smile and shake my head as I hop out of the vehicle. Without looking back, I walk into work, feeling much better than when I left.

It’s six o’clock before I’m able to finish, and already dark when I walk out the door and down the street toward home. Heavy footsteps fall in behind me, but when I glance over my shoulder, I don’t see anyone. Picking up the pace, I hurry inside and slam the door shut.

I wait, but nobody jiggles the handle. Obviously, I’m becoming paranoid. I step into the elevator and head up to my apartment, where I find a rack full of clothes, waiting by the door like a fairy godmother dropped them off. Along with a note.

Charli,

Teague and Macklin asked me to pull together a few items for you. Let me know if something doesn’t fit or you want to exchange anything.

Victoria

Stunned, I slide a hand over the colorful fabrics. It’s a whole wardrobe. Jeans. Pants. Skirts. Dresses. Tops. Plus, several pairs of shoes. They’re so gorgeous. But too expensive. There’s no way I can afford these. Sighing, I pull the rack into my apartment and shut the door.

Charli: Victoria sent over some clothes. Thank you but I’m going to have to return them. They’re too expensive.

Teague: They’re a gift.

Charli: I can’t accept them.

Teague: Don’t return. Little busy. Think we found Mavros.

Frustrating man. I roll my shoulders and slip into my most comfortable pajamas. This is my last clean pair. I’ll have to do laundry tomorrow. I eye the clothes on the rack. Maybe I can afford a pair of pajamas. Flicking through the items, I’m surprised when I don’t find any and decide it’s a sign I shouldn’t keep them.

Dinner is a toasted ham and egg sandwich. Quick. Hot. Delicious. Exhausted from the long, emotional day, I doomscroll for about half an hour, then fall asleep.

Chapter Twenty-Six

CHARLI

For the first time since I moved in, I didn’t get up and check the locks a million times or lie awake listening for footsteps. Exhaustion took over. I’m not sure I moved an inch all night. Pre-dawn light filters through the window, telling me it’s still early. I stretch, then reach for my phone. Only a little past five. Plenty of time for coffee and maybe a run to that little bakery before work. I slide it on and see I missed Teague’s text around nine last night.

Teague: Found Mavros and one other shifter. Both in rough shape. With the healer. Heading back to facility tomorrow to see if we can find information on missing supes or other locations. Returning Wednesday. Call if you need me. Or if you have a vision. Or if you want to say hi.

My lips twitch. He’s not very good at giving space. And honestly, I don’t care. Going from the car to Greystone knocked me for a loop. But spending the last couple of days by myself made me remember how alone and adrift I used to feel. My old life was so small. Now, it’s full of so much more. It was hard to see when it felt like everything was moving at the speed of light, but two days with more hours than I can fill have made it crystal clear to me. Space is overrated.

I return my attention to my phone and see a text from Macklin that came in last night too.