Page 118 of Mate Me

Sin startled when I stepped toward the barstools.

“Where you are headed off to at this hour?” she asked, glancing at the clock on the wall. “I didn’t think you were leaving until lunch.”

I shook my head, slipping on my socks and lacing up my boots.

“I’m sorry. I’ll be back soon, though, okay? Or you can come over anytime. The guards at the portal will let you through.”

She looked at me with a disapproving scowl. “You’re sneaking out before the sunrises without so much as a goodbye? I thought you said no more lies, Reagan.”

“You’re right, I did say that,” I breathed harshly in annoyance. This isn’t what I was talking about why I said no lying. This was me in a hurry and not having the time to list off everything I’d omitted in front of the entire family last night. “I need to get back to Caius and tell him something. It can’t wait.”

“Why?” she asked, rounding the counter. “What happened that you have to get to him right now?”

“I had a dream. It’s more like a memory. I saw who gave her the dagger. It’s Abyssian. I have to warn Caius.” This wasn’t going to make any sense to her, and I just didn’t have the time to spell it all out.

“Whoa, whoa, slow down there. Gave who what dagger? And who is Abyssian?” Sin grabbed my forearms and winced. “Rea, are you sure you’re okay? You’re burning up ...”

“I’m fine,” I muttered, reaching for my pack. “Does Tía still keep the baseball bat in the front closet?” I asked, heading to the hallway without waiting for a response. Sin’s old baseball bat was indeed in the same spot. I grabbed the Louisville slugger by the handle and propped it over my shoulder.

“Yeah, but?—”

“I have to get back to him, Sin. His brother betrayed him. He?—”

“How do you know? You said you dreamed it. Since when did you start having psychic dreams?” she asked.

I sighed. “Since I got my powers back. Since I went to Tartarus. Since Caius. Take your pick. Either way, my dreams are real. What happened is real. I just know it. At the end, he saw me, Sin. Abyssian. Saw. Me. He said my name while he looked right at me, and it felt worse than any dream has ever felt because it was real. Which means he knows that I know what he did. I think something bad is going to happen, and I don’t even know what it could be, but I have to get back to Caius.”

“Okay, okay,” Sin said. “I believe you, but I’m coming with you this time. If this guy is trouble, you’re going to need back up.”

“I don’t—” I paused. While I’d expected her to try to stop me, I never planned on her offering to join. And you know what? She was right. Abyssian was lethal, and Caius was in danger now that I knew. “Never mind. You’re right. Just get dressed quickly. I’m worried with the portal between us that I won’t feel it if something happens to him.”

“Yeah,” she said, running a hand through her hair. “Okay just give me five. I’ll be ready.”

“I’ll be outside waiting. Keep quiet and don’t wake the others. I don’t need a parade of cousins thinking they can fight against gods like this is some back-alley brawl.” She nodded, moving silently and swiftly.

I chewed at my thumbnail while I waited, ignoring the growl in my empty stomach.

“We are stronger than a fae god. Stop fretting.”

“Are we? I’m not so sure. We couldn’t beat the elk.”

She huffed. “Because you wouldn’t let me take over.”

“We still haven’t mastered that yet. Last time we crashed into a tree when we tried to run.”

“You keep saying ‘we.’ I don’t run into trees like a newborn foal.Welook bad because you won’t let go. If it’s time to shift, just let me do the work.”

“Got it.”I nodded. Easier said than done, but still got it, loud and clear.“Any other advice?”

“Don’t fuck it up.”

Thanks, Eres. Real supportive.

Chapter37

Reagan

It was eerily quiet in The Crossroads as we approached Old Kiener Plaza. No birds were sharing their morning songs. There was no chittering of raccoons; no pitter-patters of nocturnal scavengers looking to end their evening escapades in a hidey hole. Survival instincts were strong in animals. When they went silent, danger was present.

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