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“I feel like a prisoner,” I said.
“Because of Nick and Gabriel?” she asked me.
“Partly,” I nodded. “They can suffocate me at times. But it is not just them. It is everything that happened. The prophecy dictated my life starting even before I was born. Because of it, I was a prisoner to Grace. Then I became a prisoner of her spell. And she took everything from me when she cast it. Now, I am a prisoner of Victor. And I am a danger to everyone around me.”
“You are not a danger to us,” Cassie said.
“How can you say that?” I said as I looked at her. “Calvin almost killed you because of me.”
Warm tears fell on my cheeks. I remembered how helpless I felt when I saw him holding a knife to her throat. I was so afraid he would hurt or kill her.
“That was not your fault, Aria,” Cassie said, wiping the tears from my face.
“Yes, it was,” I said. “He wanted me. He was there to hurt me. And he used you to get me.”
“He was a sick man, Ari,” Cassie said. “It wasn’t your fault.”
I sobbed, and she pulled me into another hug.
“I am so sorry, Cassie,” I managed to say.
“You have nothing to be sorry about,” she said.
After a few moments, I let her go.
“I just wish we could go back to our village,” I said and looked down at my hands. “Just you, Jake, Blake, and me. I wish we could go back before any of this happens.”
“What about Nick?” she asked softly. “And Gabriel?”
My heart clenched painfully. Guilt washed over me. Did I just wish for a life without them?
I didn’t want to lose them. Or Annie. They were my family as well. I love them.
“Do you think you could live without them?” Cassie asked me when I didn’t respond.
“No,” I shook my head and looked up at her. “I love them. I don’t want to be without them. I guess I just miss how simple life was before. And you and Jake remind me of that life. You two are my calm and safe place. I miss that.”
“We are right here with you,” Cassie smiled. “We are not going anywhere.”
I smiled back at her and took her hand in mine.
“I can’t believe we lost all this time,” I said. “I can’t believe I didn’t remember you.”
“We will get that time back, Ari,” she said. “Don’t worry.”
There was a knock on the door, and Jake peeked inside. I quickly wiped the tears from my face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked worriedly.
I guess I wasn’t fast enough.
He walked inside and closed the door behind him.
“Nothing,” I smiled weakly. “I am fine.”
“Don’t lie to me, Minnie,” he said, and walked over to me. “I know when you are lying.”
He sat down beside me and wrapped me in his arms. He kissed the top of my head.
