Page 80 of Fated to Her

“I want proof you have them.”

“Thought you may say that,” he says. My mother then screams in pain.

“Stop! Stop, okay? What do you want?” I ask.

My mother sobs before falling silent.

“Mom?”

“She’s fine. Now, I want you to meet me in the forest tonight. Tell your mates, and I only have to make one phone call, and they are dead, understood?”

My eyes brim with tears.

“Do you think you can get away from them?” he asks.

“You are asking the impossible. I can’t walk into the forest at night,” I tell him, knowing it’s much too vast and dark. I can’t see inside the forest at night; I can barely see in it during the day.

“You don’t have to find me. I’ll come to get you. Meet just inside the tree line near the solar panels. I’ll be waiting,” he says before the phone cuts off.

I call back, but it cuts off, and I peer down at the screen to see the reception has dropped.

Getting up, I rush out into the living room, trying to get reception but still no luck. I head outside. I instantly get reception and call my mother’s number, the phone ringing out and going to voicemail. I try to dial again, the same thing. Cyrus, noticing me, comes over.

“Hungry?” he says.

I shake my head, about to call the number again when a text comes through: “I love you, can’t wait to see you.” A shiver runs up my spine.

“Just try her tomorrow,” Cyrus says, reading the text over my shoulder.

Cyrus leads me toward the rows of tables to the front.

“Cyrus?” I say, stopping. I want to tell them, but what if he kills them? I know I should, but I have no doubt Sam would kill them just to hurt me.

“You okay? Your emotions are all over the place,” he says.

“Yes, I’m just hungry,” I lie, sitting at the table next to Eli.

I watch everyone nervously but eat as much as I can, my stomach turning with each mouthful; my son kicking around in my belly is not helping my nausea at all. Eli keeps sending glances my way and so does Cyrus. I can tell they know something is wrong with me, and I try to block them but also know that would make them suspicious.

I need to figure out a way to get them to remain asleep tonight while I sneak off. The thought of seeing Sam makes my heart beat faster, fear prickling at me, memories of the cabin resurfacing. My anxiety is at an all-time high, but I have no choice. I will not be responsible for my mother, sister, or Maya’s death.

Eli rubs my belly, making me snap out of my head, and I jump slightly not expecting the contact.

“Why are you so on edge?” Eli whispers, pulling on my elbow and helping me stand.

“I’m not,” I tell him.

He grips my chin, turning it to meet his gaze. He studies my face. “Then why are you scared? You forget we can feel you.”

“Just worried about next week,” I tell him.

“Don’t be scared, Addie. You won’t even feel it, I promise. Cyrus will do it quickly.”

“I know you’re scared of changing, love, but you can’t remain human, Addie,” Cyrus adds. I let them think that’s what I’m afraid of.

I’m afraid of them killing me to change me, but not as scared as I am, knowing Sam has my family, and that I’ll soon be faced with dealing with him. Nothing scares me more than knowing they’re at his mercy.

“I’ll grab us some towels. A shower might help you settle for the night,” Eli says, and Cyrus places his hand on my lower back, walking me toward the bathroom.