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“Let’s renegotiate the last request…” I try one last time to save him from the impending doom, yet hoping he will never concede.
“No.” I expel a relieved breath while hiding my face in his chest. “What do you mean no?” I raise my head to look at him, needing to know.
“I won’t give you the freedom, no matter what. You are mine. Why deny it?” Logan tells me, his open green eyes pulling me into their safety.
“Just letting you know that you can’t stop me…” I warn him. As I watch, his lips flatten in displeasure.
“You are right. I can’t. But I will stop any man who’ll try.” I open my mouth, shocked at his arrogance that both thrills and infuriates me. “Think about it. You are not planning to date or sleep with anyone anyway.”
He pauses. I wait, cross with him, but I try to understand his reasoning.
“Make a final acknowledgment that you are mine, Cassandra. You can’t escape or deny this connection that binds us together. Admit that you belong to me.”
“Why go through all of this trouble if we are bound?”
Logan holds my chin, brushing the corner of my lips as his eyes fasten on mine. “You didn’t get the memo, I see. I am in love with you, Cassandra. I wish that one day we’ll be able to work this out. We deserve a chance, don’t you think?”
Finally, I shut up, not daring to admit I love him too.
“Besides, you need to tell me about those you’ve lost. Let me in.” I gape at him. “Don’t you worry, I will collect during our visits. Be ready, Night, to learn how to bend.”
I punch him in the ribs, making him laugh, dissolving the tension. It hurts to think about separation, and the idea that he might not feel the same one day.
“I don’t know if I will be able to do it, Logan.” I finally admit my fears about this decision to let go of them. “You’ll have to do it, even if I’ll plead for you not to.” Distress takes over and my breathing becomes impossible.
My legs tingle as numbness spreads, immobilizing me. My throat closes, and the air is unable to pass through my lungs. With rising panic, I grasp at Logan’s t-shirt, trying to save myself. My vision becomes spotted for a moment.
“Breathe…” I hear a calming voice that anchors me. I force the fear back to hiding, allowing Logan's voice to soothe and center me. As soon as I regain my faculties, he wraps me in his warm embrace, making me feel safe.
His.
“We will find a way out of this maze, Cassandra. I believe in you. One day, you will teach our children how to be as strong as you. Do you hear me, Night?”
I squeeze him, unable to speak. Hoping the dream of a happy future will become a reality one day, but I fear that I’ll fail them.
Bad intuition keeps building in my chest, stirring something dark and sinister within me. If I knew what you wanted, Sandra, I would give it to you. I have so little understanding what I did in the first place to fuck us up.
The knock on the door disturbs my quiet musing. The door opens, revealing Leif and Aisha with our distraught children. They place them in our hands, as we all six settle on the bed. I hold Liane, who watches me with expectant eyes, while her fingers suck mine in her mouth.
“You ok?” a solemn Leif asks.
I don’t have the heart to answer. Instead, I press my daughter to me and breathe in her sweet scent. Aisha sits behind me, embracing us both. I brush Leon’s head as he catches my finger to suckle. This is how our family spends the rest of the day. Like a horde huddled together.
Part III
Revelations
Chapter 7
SECRETS OF THE LAKE
~Cassandra~
Something is wrong, I can feel it. The atmosphere is saturated with tension and strange agitation. Their odd looks and secret conversation make me suspicious. Whatever’s happening, the air is permeated with unease, and I’m more unsettled and restless than usual. This morning, I’m twitchy. The troubled energy people are exhibiting causes me to feel on edge.
We’re going to a group session at Dr. Laisa Neil’s therapy clinic. Why, I have no idea. They won’t tell me, but their whispers make me nervous, and my insides churn.
“Cassandra, wait!”
