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“Yeah. Listen, thanks for doing this.” She offered to give me a ride to my parents’ house. I wasn’t lying when I told Cade I want to see them.
I just wasn’t entirely honest about why I’m going home.
“Anytime. I’m going home for a few days, anyway. I think I need some space.”
“From Channing?”
“From everything.” She lets out a heavy sigh.
“I know that feeling.” I sink back against the soft leather seat, watching the scenery roll by. It’s hard to believe that less than two months ago, I was just a girl about to start college. Everything is different now.
I’m different.
And my freedom from this place seems to move further out of reach with every passing day.
We ride in comfortable silence until Sasha turns onto my street. “Nice place,” she says, and I roll my eyes.
“You live in a mansion.”
“Just because something’s pretty doesn’t mean it’s good inside,” she says with an air of sadness.
The more I get to know Sasha, the more I can’t imagine growing up as an Electi heir but knowing you were born the wrong sex to ever inherit the power that comes with the title.
“Will you be okay getting back?” she asks me, and I nod.
“My dad will give me a ride.”
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow. Stay safe.”
Her words hit deep, but I force a smile. “You too.”
My dad’s car is missing from the driveway, but I’m not here to see him.
Traipsing up the driveway, I test the door, only to find it locked. Digging out my keys, I slip inside. “Mom,” I call. “It’s me.”
She isn’t home. As I expected, she’ll either be out for happy hour drinks or at the spa with her friends.
I drop my bag on the floor and chuck my keys on the sideboard, moving deeper into the house. This was the house I grew up in. The house where I learned to walk and fall down, the house where I was loved and nurtured. But it all feels tainted now. The memories I have of learning and growing all feel like some grooming experiment.
I never wanted to be a prosapia. I always knew I’d have to enter the Eligere… but I didn’t know.
How could I?
It’s hard not to feel bitter about that. It’s hard not to resent my parents for just handing me over to Cade like some prize cow.
Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I don’t let them fall. I didn’t come here for a trip down memory lane.
I pull out my cell phone and quickly text Mom.
Mia: Hi Mom, I came home but you’re not here. I can’t stay too long; will you be home soon?
A couple of m
inutes pass, but she texts back.
Mom: Sweetheart, why didn’t you call first? You know I hang out with the girls today. I’ll be home in a couple of hours. Please, stay. I’d love to see you.
Mia: I’ll try. Have fun xo
