AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But I feel nothing.
None of it makes sense without them. I was doing all of this for them, for us, for our future. But they’re not my future anymore.
I’ll have to get to the drop-off point soon. To face my sister. I can’t even muster up any enthusiasm. After all her crazy attempts to finish me off, I’m the one who blew up my life all on my own. It’s better this way. I was a fool to think I could rule a cruel world with love in my heart.
And yet…
And yet I dared to hope.
I don’t have a ride. I sent them all a text this morning. I didn’t tell them what I needed. I asked. Because that’s what this is about, isn’t it? I’ve been acting like their ruler instead of their equal. So I asked for their help. I offered the olive branch.
And they’re not coming.
They’re not coming back to me.
The three people I wanted at my side, the ones I trusted to always have my back, and they won’t be there when I finally take down my sister.
It’s over.
I’ve been holding so tight to them that I didn’t even know I was holding sand until it trickled through my fingers.
I don’t want to do what I’m about to do. I wanted to keep him out of this. He’s the person I’ve turned to again and again. He told me I’d regret bringing so many people into our world, and he was right. And I can’t bear looking into his dark eyes and knowing that I cost him his chance to escape this life because of a lie.
They didn’t come. It’s over.
If my chest is empty, if my heart has shriveled into a dead, broken thing, then how can the cavity ache so much?
I’m running out of options. I hit the CALL button on my phone.
“What now?” Antony sounds annoyed.
“It’s me.” My voice wobbles. I’m dangerously close to crying. What a fucking day. “I don’t have time to explain, but I’ve laid a trap that I think will lure Mackenzie out of hiding, but I need some backup. Will you get over here and drive me to the docks? Come armed.”
Antony can already tell exactly what I’m planning to do. “I told you not to go after Mackenzie on your own. She’s dangerous. And clearly a little unhinged—”
“I’m not on my own.”
“Then where are your three Musketeers? Can’t they play chauffeur?”
I close my hand over my bleeding heart. “They have something else to do. Look, I have it all sorted. I found the treasure and—”
“You what?”
I have to hold the phone away from my ear so Antony’s screech doesn’t burst my eardrum.
“Look, sorry I didn’t tell you, but you haven’t exactly been around lately.” I used to lob those words at him with such venom, trusting his guilt would get me what I want – the way I used to make him bring treats when he left me alone in the house for too long. But hearing them on my lips only makes my hollow chest burn with shame. “Can you get over here and give me a ride or not?”
I hear a door slam. “I’m already in the car. See you soon, Claws.”
I hang up and toss the phone on the sofa. Queen Boudica bounds after it, then shoots me a glare when she realizes it’s not edible. I resume pacing. Livvie texts again.
We’re in position. Just waiting on Cali to get her shit together. Where are you, girl?
I hit a little snag with my ride, I type back. Be there soon.
I tap my phone against my palm. Fucking hurry up, Antony.
I watch Casper play outside the patio doors, waiting for the sound of Antony’s car to rumble down the passage. The tiny white tiger paws at the glass, wanting to come in to play on Queen Boudica’s cat castle. My kitty winds around my legs and rubs along the glass, anxious to get outside to her friend. She’s been lonely since Eli and Gizmo left.
