Page 8 of Second Chance Mates

“H-her body, her mind is dragging me in.” She pauses to take a strangled breath. “I-I can’t stop it. It’s going to make me see her past.”

My eyes widen in surprise. Lucy usually has a strong grasp on how her powers are used, and it’s rare she can’t control them. She’s always had the ability to look into someone’s past, but sometimes, it takes her by surprise, and she has no choice but to accept it. It’s a blessing and a curse.

“Oh, Goddess,” she cries out again, but this time, her eyes have clouded over, and the blueness of them fades. “I’m going to see everything. Fuck. Jaxon, I can’t stop it.”

“It’s okay,” I plead with her. “Relax, Lucy. Breathe. Just breathe through it.”

Lucy’s body slumps forward, and her knees hit the floor. I lower down beside her and clutch the back of her neck. Her eyes are misty, and she’s non-responsive.

“Shit,” I curse.

She trembles over and over. I glance up at Ava, but she’s sleeping peacefully on the bed. I close my eyes and pray whatever happens in the next ten minutes isn’t going to have consequences for Ava or Lucy—especially since my sister's powers are unpredictable.

4

AVA

When the lunchtime school bell rings, we all stand up from the bench we’ve made our home for the last forty-five minutes. “Are you coming to study hall?” Kayleigh asks.

I shake my head as I slide my bag over my shoulder. “Not yet. I’m going to meet Danny in the car park quickly—he said he wanted to see me. Stall Miss Lowe for me, please?”

Kayleigh rolls her eyes, but she can’t fight the smile that creeps onto her lips. “Alright, lover girl. You owe me.”

“Thank you,” I exhale gratefully before giving her a half-hearted hug. I don’t have long to see Danny. He's always busy playing football at lunch.

I dart off to the sports block and approach the car park. My eyes scan the area, hoping I’m not caught by a teacher for being out of class.

My legs carry me to the other end of the car park, where I spot Danny’s car, but he’s nowhere to be seen. I check my phone, and surprisingly, I have no messages either. I huff out a breath and slump against the side of his door when a van pulls up with blacked-out windows.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand immediately, and I push off the car. I grab my bag tighter and stare at the man as he peers out of the window, looking at me like I’m an animal at the zoo.

“Hey, darlin’.” His voice is rough as he chews on a toothpick.

I furrow my brows at him before walking away. Do they not have better security at this school? Either that or one of the maintenance men is being extra creepy today.

The van slowly pulls away and begins to follow me as I walk towards the exit of the car park. I keep my head down. It’s best not to engage.

“Aren’t you a pretty little thing?”

When I look at him with disgust, he drops me a sleazy wink which makes my stomach roll with discomfort. My feet burst into a run, but I hear the van door open and slam behind me.

“Grab her,” another voice demands loudly. “She’s the one. She’s mine.”

Blood pounds in my ears as I run to the path, but I’m too slow. A sweaty hand clamps over my mouth to muffle my scream, as forceful hands latch onto my arms, tugging me backwards. I kick and wriggle, but I’m outnumbered. The back door of the van opens, and I’m shoved inside. Darkness swarms me as they slam the doors shut and laugh.

My face burns from the punch that leaves me whimpering. Blood swims in my mouth, making me nauseous. I’m sick of the taste. I’m sick of swallowing back copper that burns my throat.

“Now, tell me again, where did you used to live?”

I partially open my swollen eyes to look at my kidnapper, Lucien.

“I-I don’t remember,” I croak between heavy breaths. Blood drips down my chin as I speak and splashes onto the stone-cold floor.

Lucien flashes me a smile of triumph. “Good pet. And your parents?”

“My foste–”

The next hit is more painful than the last. My entire face stings beyond words. Flinching, I release a groan of agony. My body almost touches the floor. But before I hit the ground, Lucien takes a fist full of my hair and tugs me towards his face.

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