Page 43 of Tangled Fates

Didn’t you need a projector for that?

“Yeah, or a streaming service,” he said, still toying with the phone.

What was a streaming service?

“You’re confusing me,” I said, trying to lean over to see what he was doing. “What service, how can a movie be on that device and what is a streaming service?”

He looked up at me with wide eyes. “You really have no connection to the outside world?”

I shook my head, feeling my cheeks heat up. “I know a few things from books and magazines.”

“Service is so you can use the phone to make calls or use the internet,” he said, but I made a face when he said internet, not understanding what he meant. “You don’t know what the internet is either?”

I shook my head again, making him smirk.

“When was the last time you left this mountain range?”

I pursed my lips together to keep my emotions at bay. “Seventy-five years.”

“Sunshine, how old are you turning?” He looked thoughtful as I felt his curiosity.

“I can’t tell you,” I said, worrying again.

It was only a matter of time before Gray used me like everyone else. He must have seen something in my eyes for him not to question me again.

“I know you don’t believe me, but I would never hurt you,” he sighed. “I can’t imagine you being left here for that long. It must be a lonely existence, and no one should have to suffer through that.”

My throat grew tight and my nostrils flared from trying to keep my tears at bay, but the emotion was overwhelming. A few tears escaped as I turned away. Gray took the sandwich out of my hand, placing it on the tray before picking it up and setting it somewhere else. I wiped my tears that wouldn’t stop falling.

A soft song started to play when I turned towards Gray, who climbed onto the bed with me. He pulled me into his firm chest, laying us down as the first word of the song was sung.

My cheek laid against his firm pec, resting my arm against his abs. He ran his hand through my hair, comforting me. More tears ran down my cheeks, reveling in his comforting embrace. I didn’t realize how I needed this desperately and I didn't know how to thank him for this small piece of comfort. It was a gift.

We laid down as the song talked about kissing in cars, movies and sitting close to each other. It talked about everything I wanted to experience and more. Gray sang the last part of the song softly, easing my broken heart and giving me so much. It was a moment of normalcy that I was starved for. It would have been better if I hadn’t been chained in my room, but it was a memory I would cherish forever. We listened to song after song with Gray softly singing, easing my burden of loneliness.

17

RYDER

Ifailed. I didn’t save her. I was too late. As soon as Soren gave me the vials of Oria, I immediately went to pick up the necklace from Linds. Thankfully she had it ready for me before I went home, grabbed a shower and some food, and finally plugged in my phone.

A flood of messages popped up. Most of the messages were from Serena, a few from clients and one was from the client that wanted us to steal the princess, threatening to go somewhere else if we couldn’t get back to her.

The woman demanding the kidnapping didn’t answer so I called Serena. It went to voicemail immediately. It wasn’t unusual for her phone to go to voicemail, but an uneasiness settled in my gut. I grabbed a power bank, charging my phone on my way to the Belladonna estate.

When Gerard told me she hadn’t been home, they feared she might have been taken. She hadn’t answered her phone in a few days, but before I panicked, I knew I had to head to the castle where her sister Katarina was at. There was a possibility she was with her, and I needed to make sure before I started to panic.

When I arrived at the ominous castle, my gut was like lead. Something bad had happened, tragedy was in the air and I couldn’t move. After getting the nerve to proceed, I exited the car feeling something was definitely wrong.

There was a portion of the gate open, and I put on the necklace before passing through the barrier; the magic was rough and tasted sour. It made me wonder if the same witch who put the barrier on this place was the same one who placed it on the mountain to protect the tower.

Once I was through, I jogged across the grass. My gut was feeling heavier and heavier, until I saw Katerina walking up to me, looking devastated. Serena had been killed during a scuffle at the castle. She had come to help her sister and walked in on men attacking them. I was too late and the last day we talked came rushing back to me.

“I need you to promise me something.” Serena’s beautiful eyes looked at me.

“Anything,” I said, not even thinking of the consequences of offering her anything.

“Don’t blame yourself,” she cupped my face.

---