29. Adrianna

ADRIANNA

The call cuts off just as quickly as it began, the tone echoing in my ears as my mind goes on high alert. Sweeping my gaze around the restaurant once more, I don't catch anything out of the ordinary. I need to leave right now.

Discarding the phone, I take a few steps toward Flora and Arlo, but the moment I have their attention, I start backpedaling toward the door. "I need to go."

"Go where?" Flora asks, confused. Her gaze runs over me from head to toe, searching for an answer to my sudden urgency, but she won't find it.

"Just…if you're not here by the time I get back, I'll assume you've gone back to the academy," I answer, nodding, more to myself than them. I press my shoulder against the door, the little chime echoing out as Flora calls my name.

"Addi, wait!"

I give her a soft smile, hoping like hell she'll understand eventually, but there's no time for that now. Slipping through the door, I pause a moment to take a single deep breath as the fresh air hits me.

My heart races as every single one of my senses hones in on where I should go first. Where to look. Wiping a hand down my face, an idea comes to mind, and before I can second guess myself, I take off.

Fixing my hood, I make sure to hide my face, keeping my head down as I hurry through the cobbled streets. The narrow passageways extend into wider spaces, busy with people, and I try my best to keep pressed against the wall.

When I reach the square, the crowds become thicker. Shouldering past a few people, I hear grumbles of complaints, but I don't pay any attention to them. My mind is focused and I won't be distracted.

Eventually, cobbled ground leads to well-trodden paths, and the high walls protecting the City of Harrows dwindle down, leading to a smattering of trees. I know the nook I'm looking for—straight ahead, beside an oak tree and a bramble bush.

Dirt kicks up around me as I hurry my steps, looking over my shoulder a few times to make sure I'm alone. I can see the tendrils of magic twinkling off the bramble leaves and I don't waste any time slipping through the net.

A squeal bursts around me the second I'm through the veil and I drop to my knees, falling into open arms. I cling to the blanket in her lap as her hands press into my back, holding me as close as possible from this angle.

Each breath fills my lungs further, and with each second, I feel whole. With every inhale, each cell in my body becomes more in tune with hers. That is until I peer up and meet her gaze. Her round face, button nose, and her infectious smile come into full view.

"Fuck, Nora. Don't do that."

"Language, Addi."

I peer over my shoulder to where my father is standing, an eyebrow raised at the cuss falling from my lips.

"Don't give me that, Dad. I was scared," I retort, still unable to control my heart rate as it threatens to burst from my chest. Glancing around, the telltale surroundings come into view. The trees are lush and green, the flowers in full bloom, and the yellow dirt path that leads around the outskirts of the City of Harrows toward home.

This is our secret passage. My father's magic at its finest, offering us some kind of solace among the madness that has haunted us for as long as I can remember.

A smile ghosts over his lips as he takes a step toward us. "It's good to see you."

I rise, slipping into his open arms as we meet in the middle. "It's good to see you both too. What are you doing out here?" I ask, squeezing him once more for good luck before I refocus the majority of my attention on Nora.

My sister avoids my gaze as my father clears his throat. "You mentioned your plans to Nora last night, and once she gets an idea in her head…" His words trail off.

"There's no letting go," I finish, shaking my head in disbelief at my sister.

"Never mind giving me one of those pointed looks you're so familiar with. Get back over here. I miss you so much," she orders, waving her hand for me to take. My fingers lace with hers effortlessly, as they always do.

"I miss you too," I breathe, crouching beside her.

"So, did you pick a dress?" she asks, eyes lighting up with excitement as I nod.

"I did."

She looks around me, disappointment growing in her eyes before she gives me her award-winning pointed look. "You left it at the restaurant, didn't you?"

Ah, fuck.

"You know I did. You had me all twisted in knots," I grumble, and she gasps.

"Don't blame me." My knowing stare intensifies, and five seconds later, she relents. "Fine, blame me, I don't care. I get to see you, and that's all I care about."

My heart warms as her hand clenches mine.

"You look good, Addi. Healthy," my father states, and I peer up at him with the strain on my face that I know I carry in my heart right now.

"I don't feel it," I admit, earning me a soft smile from him.

Clearing his throat, he scrubs at his neck. "Can I see it?"

I instantly know what he's referring to. Releasing Nora's hand, I stand and turn, adjusting my cloak to reveal the kiss of amethyst embedded in my flesh. He runs his thumb over it, making me shiver at the contact, but it doesn't hurt to touch anymore.

"Did you try what I said?" My pulse quickens as I nod. "And?"

I don't want to discuss it out loud. Not here, not anywhere, but ideally not in front of Nora.

"And Professor Fairbourne has one as well," I answer instead, looking over my shoulder at him as the color continues to drain from his face.

"I shouldn't be so surprised," he murmurs, his gaze falling to the ground as he shakes his head in disappointment.

"We're good people, Dad. It shocks us because this isn't how we would act," Nora states, the truth shining through in every word as I nod in agreement.

"I couldn't have said it better myself," I muse, winking at her and watching her smile grow with pride. A bubble of doubt knots in my stomach as I consider the bigger picture and my father's words from the last time we spoke.

Would we do something like that?

The conversation drifts away from the heavy topics as Nora informs me of all the gossip in the small town we live in. Josh has a girlfriend. Good for him. His family's crops aren't growing, and they may need to sell. Not so good for him. Otherwise, it's hearsay or gossip through the media, but nonetheless, I sit and absorb every word from her mouth.

I've missed this, missed her. Her aura and mere presence are enough to chase away all of my worries. All too quickly, though, the sun starts to lower and her stomach grumbles for the second time in ten minutes.

"I should go," I mutter, hating the way her face instantly loses some of its light.

"Can't you stay a little while longer?" Nora protests as I squeeze her hand and sigh.

"I have to make it back through the city, get my dress, and then head to the academy. I don't want to outlast the sun. The City of Harrows is safe for no one once night falls."

It's the truth, and we all know it.

"Fine," she grumbles, tugging at my hand so I can wrap her in another hug.

Damn. I don't ever want to let go, but right now, our separation will only make us stronger while I'm at Heir Academy. All of this will be worth it one day, just not today, but that's okay; it's part of the plan.

"I love you, Nora," I breathe into her hair, holding her just a little tighter, and she mirrors my grip.

"I love you too, Addi."

Reluctantly, I lean back, and my father takes me into his arms again, rocking me from side to side like he always did when I was a child.

"Please be safe; with everything going on right now, we know it's dangerous for you guys."

"We know, don't worry. The veil is in place, and it serves its purpose," my father promises, and I nod.

"Before you leave… Fairbourne… can I trust him?"

My father stares deep into my eyes before he presses a hand to his chest, right over his heart. "With your life."

My father doesn't say those three words very often, so I know them to be true. I nod again, a stronger sense of hope and determination swooping through my body. "Let me watch you guys go."

They offer me a smile before my father grabs the handles on Nora's wheelchair and starts down the trail. Once they reach the bend in the distance, they glance back, offering me one more wave before they disappear from sight, taking a piece of my heart with them.

I take a moment to stare at the empty spot they occupied seconds ago, but they don't return. I need to get a move on anyway. With a sigh, I turn, ready to step through the veil once more, when I startle at the shadow casting over me from the last guest in the world I would expect right now.

"That was a cute family reunion."

"What the fuck, Raiden?"