Page 44 of Tangled Hearts

“Soren,” I snapped.

He glared at me as I expected him to keep pushing me. We stared at each other for a moment before he stepped back, walking to Oria.

Addie’s eyes followed him, her fury was evident in her gaze, but once she tracked her eyes on me, she looked calmer.

“Nothing is ever free and if I do this, I’m putting myself at risk,” she said with a calmer tone.

Oria’s small hand ran down my back.

Can we trust her?

I looked over my shoulder at Oria.

I want to say yes, but I feel like we can’t trust anyone.

I trust you, she thought, keeping her hand on my lower back.

My wolf was fucking preening that she spoke to us through our bond and begrudgingly so was I.

“Ok, so let's say we agree, who's to say you won’t give our location away?” I asked her.

“I will create four objects. They will be buried at the four corners and the fifth will stay in the middle and activate the others. All she has to do is activate it,” Addie said, looking at her nails. “Once she activates it, an impenetrable wall will form between all the stones anchoring to the middle one. I give you the tools, all you have to do is find a spot she can live in.”

Soren, Gray, Max and I locked eyes. The twins looked wary, Max looked angry and even though this would mean she was safe, it didn’t sit well with me.

“What do you want in return?” I asked, knowing I needed to talk to Oria about what she wanted.

“I want the diamond necklace that Aeon gave you,” she said, still picking at her nails.

I don’t know when or why you will need it, but keep it with you at all times. His words came back to me as I studied Addie who looked cool, calm and collected.

“We need to discuss this, and we will get back to you,” I said, feeling Oria relax. “I’ll call you once we have decided.”

I saw the flash of anger in her eyes, and I knew I had made the right decision.

“You know, the more time that goes by, the more of a possibility that you will get caught.” She stood up. “It’s only a matter of time before she finds you and then you put us all at risk.”

Max growled, making her look back at him.

“Don’t let history repeat itself, Maxton,” she said softly. “You know what it's like to lose her.”

He looked murderous.

“You could have helped, except you chose to leave,” he snapped.

“I had no choice,” she raised her voice.

“You did if you had just spoken to someone,” he argued.

“No sense in bringing up the past,” she said, crossing the living room. “It doesn’t change anything, and you miss out on the present. Call me when you have decided but if you call too late or take too long, I can’t guarantee she won’t be taken.”

She walked out the door silently and we all waited a moment before we took a deep breath.

Everyone talked at the same time, arguing about what to do and what was right and wrong. The house was loud as we argued with each other.

We grew quiet when she moved to the sofa, sitting where Addie had sat earlier. The guys and I looked at each other, defeated. It wasn’t our choice, it was hers.

“What do you want to do?” I asked, following her to the sofa, sitting down next to her.

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