AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Magdalena nodded. “Twenty-eight years old. Can you believe that? Had her whole life ahead of her. And some jerk snatched it away just because he could.”
Cassie shivered. She knew what it felt like to be one of those women. Novak had made her feel so powerless. She hadn’t understood fear until she came face to face with him, twice. It pained her to imagine someone else going through that, too. And they hadn’t been as lucky as she had. Though some might argue they had been luckier. They didn’t have to live in this realm with the knowledge of what it was like to be a survivor. To carry those memories forever. And for Cassie, it had been worse. All their psychic energy weighed down on her. At least, it had. Things were different now.
“Look at me runnin’ my mouth,” Magdalena said, folding the paper in half. “You need to say something when I get going or I’ll never stop.”
“It’s fine,” Cassie said. When Magdalena leveled her with another look, Cassie reached over and patted the woman’s hand. “Really, it’s fine. I can’t go around scared for the rest of my life. That’s what these last few months have been about. Fortifying myself against the world.”
“Don’t fortify yourself too much.” Magdalena cast a significant glance over her shoulder.
“What was that you were saying about talking too much?”
The woman let out a belly laugh as her phone chimed. When she dug it out of her pocket, her smile faded.
Cassie already knew what it was about, but she asked anyway. “Is something wrong?”
“It’s Roger. He’s not feeling well. Sorry, Cassie. I know this is a big day for you, and we had dinner planned and everything—”
“You’ve got enough to worry about without worrying about me, too, Mags. Take care of your hubby. We’ll go out when he’s feeling better.”
“Are you sure?” She leaned in closer. “You could always come over to our place. I know you don’t always like to be home alone.”
“I’m sure.” Cassie plastered on a smile she hoped was convincing. “I’d get in your way. Let’s try again next week.”
“Next week,” Magdalena said, tapping away at her phone. When she looked up again, she had a devilish look in her eye. “You could always ask Jason.”
“Maybe I will.”
Magdalena patted her hand before taking the newspaper and heading to her office. They both knew Cassie was lying, but neither one of them would say so. That’s what friends were for and Magdalena had proven to be a good one over the last few months.
With her evening plans canceled, Cassie had trouble feeling excited about what the day had in store for her. A few minutes ago, she was looking forward to unpacking their new shipment of Vera Wang accessories and meticulously cataloging each and every one of them. Now, all she could think about were the extra hours she would be spending at home. Alone.
It was strange how a bad piece of news could snatch that newfound happiness away like it had never existed in the first place.
Cassie gathered the shipping papers she had been searching for, her heart heavy with anticipation. Even Jason’s kind smile as he passed by wasn’t enough to lift her spirits.
Today was not the day.
Three
Cassie used her hip to shut the car door, then hit the lock button on her key fob until she heard the beep. She took a deep breath but refused to look at the front of her house yet. Instead, she stared up into the night sky, willing the clouds to clear so she could catch a glimpse of just one star. But it wouldn’t have mattered. When the evenings were clear, light pollution still made the sky hazy and gray.
Still, she embraced the feel of the night air as it blew through her auburn hair, causing a few strands to tickle her cheeks. She wasn’t an outdoors kind of person, but there was something special about the night sky that made her want to spread a blanket out on the grass and be one with the universe.
Cassie waited a few more seconds and lowered her gaze to the front of her house. It was an unassuming, Southern-style bungalow with gray siding and red trim. Although it was small compared to most other houses on the street, it was the perfect size for her and had a guest bedroom. Not that she ever needed it.
Cassie placed her hand on the front gate and passed through the entrance, letting it swing shut behind her. When she heard the click of the latch, she walked across the stone pavers with measured steps. Up the stairs. Onto the porch. In front of the door.
She had always loved her door. It was a deep red garnet. It was bold without being garish. The right touch to make her house stand out amidst the boring whites and beiges of her neighbors.
Cassie knew she was stalling, but the time had come. She took out her keys, jingled them once, and stuck the correct one in the lock and twisted. When she heard the bolt slide, she turned the handle and pushed open the door.
And right on cue, her house guest greeted her.
An angry meow pierced the air, and, despite her mood, Cassie couldn’t help but smile.
“Hello, Mr. Apollo.” Cassie was subjected to another piercing meow. “I know, I know. I’m late. I took myself out to dinner tonight. I had plans to go with Magdalena, but Roger was sick again.”
Apollo’s bright green eyes stared at her from the darkness. The orange and white patches on his face seemed to glow in defiance of the jet-black parts of his body that blended into the shadows. He blinked at her once and trotted forward, brushing himself along her legs. He forgave her and Cassie was content to run through her entire day with him, from the conversation with Magdalena in the morning, to cataloging the Vera Wang pieces in the afternoon, to the fact that Jason had waited ten minutes for her after his shift had ended so they could walk to their cars together.
