Page 22 of Revenge of the Forgotten

“I want that too.” Arlet grabbed Vega’s shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.

“How do we even get back?” Vega asked.

“There’s a portal in Crescent City, California, deep inside Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.”

Vega paled further at her response.

“What?” she asked.

“Chase and I used to go camping there with his friends during college,” Vega whispered. Could it be a coincidence, or was this a detail Arlet knew and was using to make Vega feel safe around her?

There were too many unknowns.

“I just need some time to work through this. Last night, I found out my husband has been cheating on me, and today I’m not even from Earth.” She barked a sad laugh. “It’s a lot to take in.”

Arlet nodded, picking at the hem of her sweater. “I would love to give you as much time as you need, but when I said time was running out, I meant it. The longer we wait, the closer you get to death.”

Vega stood and started pacing the room in an attempt to process everything she’d learned tonight. “How do you know the curse is dying?”

“Because curses can’t last forever. They run out of power, and when they do, if they haven’t been broken, the cursed die with it… and there has to be a reason that you’re starting to see bits and pieces of your life. From what I’ve seen of curses, they usually have a surge in power before it ends. I feel like that’s what’s happening with your dreams.” Arlet watched her pace, eyes bouncing across the room with her.

“What if the curse’s power runs out, and I’m on Earth? You said powers don’t work here.” Vega could ignore all of this, siding with the rational part of her brain reminding her that this woman could be on drugs or was out of her mind. Right?

“The curse is in your blood, your bones. It doesn’t have to use any power to kill you.” It scared her how relaxed Arlet was.

Vega groaned, running a hand through her hair, pausing at the base of her neck to take a deep breath. “So basically, what you’re saying is if I stay here, I’ll die? Probably alone. But if I go with you to this supposed realm, Tollybear?—”

“Tolevarre,” Arlet corrected.

“Whatever.” Vega continued, “I still might die, but hey, I’ll be a god with powers before that happens.” Arlet looked at Vega like this wasn’t earth-shattering news. “Why aren’t you more worried about this?”

“I never said we were gods, just descendants of them. With powers, yes,” Arlet replied with a calm coolness. “Because I’ve been worried about this for fifty-five years. The newness has worn off. Now you, you act like this every time you find out.” Arlet flicked her wrist at Vega, who paced the room. “Twenty times now.”

Every time. Every time. Every time.

Vega kept hearing those words, making her feel manic with jealousy for the people who didn’t have fuzzy memories of their childhood. Jealous of those who weren’t put in the position to choose to believe something this berserk or go back to living a life that was equally as pathetic.

“Fuck, I need some air.” Vega headed for the door.

Arlet was up on her feet right behind her. “I’ll come with you.”

Vega turned around quickly, her hand resting on the door handle. “I think I need one more night alone.” She’d had enough of them in her life. One more to decide the fate of her life wouldn’t kill her.

But the curse might. Vega swallowed back a wave of nausea.

“I’ll be here before noon tomorrow if I want to come. If I’m not, leave without me.” Vega opened the door and marched herself into the storm outside.

8

The smell of the stale apartment engulfed her, adding to the long list of things she hated about the place she was at in her life. The landlord could fix all the leaks he wanted and would never be able to rid this place of its old musty smell.

Vega had never felt so alone, so forgotten that believing in what Arlet was telling her gave her something to hope for.

Something to lose herself in.

It was a distraction from the rock bottom she’d fallen to.

Vega had decided what she was going to do before making it back to her apartment, but she needed a night to say goodbye.

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