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I elect not to answer, instead focusing on my phone as I reopen my conversation with Tessa.
Things have gotten even more complicated since we last spoke, I text back.
Seriously? Do tell. I thought things were already pretty intense.
I press my lips together; she’s not wrong. I type a long paragraph, telling her everything that happened with Atlas’s parents and the ultimatum they gave me. Given she’s one of few humans I still talk to, I’m curious to get her take on the situation.
Holy shit. Calla, that’s insane. I’ve never met Atlas’s parents, but with their reputation, it doesn’t really surprise me. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. Do you know what you’re going to do?
Chewing my bottom lip, I pull my legs onto the chair, folding them to sit cross-legged. Atlas pays at the first window, and we proceed to the second, where he’s handed a tray of drinks and a brown paper bag that smells heavenly.
I eat half my breakfast sandwich before pulling my phone out again.
No. I thought I did, but I keep going back and forth while also trying to come up with an alternative. Some sort of loophole that is going to allow me to continue living as a human in a world of vampires. Seems pretty unlikely, but stranger things have happened.
I jump when my phone starts ringing, then swipe across the screen to answer the call.
“Sorry, I’m not a huge texter, and this conversation felt important,” Tessa says.
“No, it’s okay, but I’m not alone.”
Tessa sighs dramatically. “Well, your vamp boys are just going to have to deal with you talking to someone besides them.”
I can’t help but laugh, knowing the odds of them listening are pretty high. “Right.”
“What are you doing now?” she asks.
“Heading for Chicago,” I tell her. “We’re still in New York at the moment.”
“Your parents are there, right?”
“Yeah, but we were visiting Atlas’s.”
“Visiting seems like too mild a word for what that was,” Tessa comments, empathy clear in her tone.
I sip my coffee, ignoring the way the breakfast sandwich is settling weirdly in my stomach. “No kidding.”
“Why don’t I meet you in Chicago and we can have a girls’ weekend? Get your mind off things?”
I pull my lip between my teeth, surprised at the burn of tears in my eyes. I would love to have even a few hours of normalcy, to think about something other than the fate of my future—and it being in someone else’s hands.
“That sounds really great,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“Should you confirm with your supernatural security team?” she checks with a short laugh.
Fuck that. I’mnotasking for permission. “I’ll text you the address of where we’re staying when we arrive.”
“Okay, great. Booking a flight to O’Hare as we speak.”
“Thanks, Tessa. I really appreciate this.”
“Hey, me too. Truth be told, this trip is as much for me as it is for you. I could use the time away from here.”
I frown, though she can’t see it through the phone. “You’ve heard all my grievances. What’s happening on your end?”
“Uh, too much to get into right now. I’ll fill you in when I see you.”
“Deal. Safe travels.”
