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“Alright, alright, enough with the kisses,” I said, pushing him again. “Serena is probably waiting for us.”
He got off of me, helping me up, and we started to walk to the gate. It was a beautiful night as we walked in silence, it almost felt magical in a weird, cheesy way. When we arrived at the gate, there was no one there which only added to my worry. I knew something was off when she called yesterday.
Zev paced the gate looking back and forth until he ran the length of the gate. I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my face when he came back towards me and I launched a snowball at him. He growled, looking around like we were under attack.
I quickly threw another one. He turned towards me and growled again when he knew it was me. It wasn’t as menacing as the previous growl, but I knew I had scared him. He ran towards me as I launched another snowball at him. He jumped at me when I side-stepped him at the last minute, so he landed in a pile of snow.
He popped out of the snow, looking more adorable than he should with his tongue hanging out. I threw another ball at him which he caught with his mouth, making me laugh. He lunged at me as I ran away when I spotted Serena at the gate, staring at us.
“Serena,” I said, running to the gate.
The closer I got to the gate the more I saw my greatest worry. She looked like shit, which meant she was either not sleeping or someone was keeping her up. Caston immediately popped into my head and I worried he knew that she was helping me.
“What's wrong,” I said, quickly reaching for her, but hit the barrier.
“Nothing.” She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
“Serena cut the shit,” I snapped. “Do they know?”
She pursed her lips, like she was debating whether to lie to me, but I gave her a pointed look.
She rolled her eyes and exhaled sharply. “Caston has been on a rampage since Clodius disappeared, so things at the house have been tense.”
“And?” I said, knowing there was more.
She clenched her jaw.
“I’ve been training for the trials.”
I didn’t know what to say. Only the men of the family were allowed to participate. Is that why she was never married? Is that why I was the one sent here? Was I to die so she could run the Belladonnas. It upset me as I felt like the sacrificial lamb, but also relieved because if she ran the family then that meant maybe… maybe the family could redeem itself. I had so much I wanted to say, but my anger was making it hard.
“Has this always been the plan? You send me off to die, while you run our coven?”
“That's not…”
“Then what is it, Serena? To me it looks like…”
“I never fucking wanted this! It was supposed to be me in there, not you!” she screamed, looking broken. “I’m drowning in all these secrets, all these fucking expectations, and there’s nothing I can do about it!”
We stared at each other after her confession. I always thought my sister had an easy life, but it seemed she had very different problems than I.
“Serena, let me shoulder some of your burden,” I said, wanting to reach for her. “Come on, Mr. Potter made us some treats, and we can have something warm to drink by the fire.”
“I can’t stay. I don’t want to give them a reason to look for me.” Serena walked away.
“Wait, Serena, you can’t say shit like that and then leave.” I yelled. “We still need to fucking talk.”
I was getting ready to scream at her when she popped open the trunk. Zev growled behind me.
“Down, Sir Fluffington,” I said, curious as to what Serena was doing, when Zev growled again.
“I brought things for you last time, but with all the commotion I forgot to leave them. Ryder didn’t let me bring you a generator, but I brought you a couple of power banks that could charge your phone. I don’t know if you’ll get service out here.” Serena started rambling as she got things out of the car. Box after box piled up, making my anger dissipate. “There’s some candy, some clothes, more things for spells, a few books to read from our library that might give you more information.”
“Serena!” I yelled, hoping to stop her from rambling anymore.
She looked at me, startled.
“Katarina, don’t.” Her lip trembled. “As soon as I hear from Ryder, I’ll let you know, but that’s all I can give you.”
