Page 24 of Revenge of the Forgotten

The rain had finally stopped at some point during the night, and the sun was out for the first time in weeks. The universe seemed to be celebrating Vega’s departure. She chose to believe it was a sign she was making the right decision.

Her feet pulled her forward, that tug at her heart becoming more noticeable the closer she got to Arlet’s motel. A gleam of nervous sweat formed across her forehead as she climbed the stairs to room 444.

It was a minute until noon when the door opened to Arlet with a small, excited smile lighting up her beautiful face. “I thought you weren’t coming.”

“Against my better judgment, I told myself, ‘Fuck it.’” Vega adjusted the strap of her backpack. “But just so you know, I took a six-week self-defense class when I moved to the city, so don’t think I’m an easy target.” Vega crossed her arms over her chest and popped her hip.

Arlet’s smile widened. “Noted.” She turned and grabbed the small bag sitting by the door. “Did you tell your friends you were leaving?”

“I have no friends, no family, no one. Just a cheating husband I can’t seem to find the courage to talk to and a job I hate.” She unfolded her arms, allowing Arlet by, and followed her down the stairs.

“Wanna call him now?” Arlet asked, peeking over her shoulder as she bobbed down the stairs, her curls bouncing in time with her steps.

“God, no. I’ll deal with that later. Let’s just figure out how we’re getting to California. I might have enough money to get us some cheap flights into San Francisco.” Vega hadn’t owned a car in a few years, never finding the need for it with the abundance of public transport the city offered. She didn’t notice that Arlet stopped at the bottom of the stairs and Vega ran into the back of her. She rubbed her nose, face scrunched. “What the fuck?”

Arlet raised a brow. “Vega, I don’t have an ID. I don’t have a passport. I’m not from this world. Flying isn’t an option.” She held up a finger, interrupting Vega’s next suggestion. “And neither is a train. We’ve tried that before and got stranded in the middle of nowhere when I couldn’t produce an ID halfway through our trip. I don’t exist here.” Arlet shrugged. “We’re hitch-hiking.”

Vega shook her head violently. “Absolutely not. That’s where I draw the line.”

“I thought you took self-defense classes?” Arlet’s smile ticked up in the corner, as she fought back a laugh.

Vega rolled her eyes. “Yeah, but I’ve seen way too many murder mysteries, and that’s how we end up dead in a cornfield. Wouldn’t that put a little wreck in your portal plan?” She pulled her phone out.

Arlet watched the device light up. “They’ve somehow gotten even bigger in the last fifteen years. How crazy.” Her eyes were fixed on Vega’s hands as she slid through apps.

“I guess this means we don’t have cell phones?”

Arlet shook her head. “Our comm-devices aren’t like this, no, but we’re not some kind of third-world realm. Our technology is just different. And before you ask, no, we don’t have The Real World or Jersey Shore… though sometimes I feel like Fraus could have a reality show of their own. Cheeky bastards.”

“Sounds kinda boring,” Vega confessed as the green Confirm button on her phone screen glowed and her request was processed. “Okay, I got us a rental car. I probably don’t have enough money for all the gas on the way, but since you’re so good at stealing things, I’ll leave that up to you.” Vega eyed her suspiciously.

Arlet’s smile wasn’t the sweet one Vega had become accustomed to seeing. It was full of deceit with a sparkle of elation. “Deal.” The grin didn’t die down until they were halfway down the street and Arlet had somehow managed to slip her hand inside a couple of purses and pockets unnoticed.

Vega couldn’t help but continue to repeat the question over and over in her head. What am I getting myself into?

9

Bridger forced himself to stay awake on the trip to Aeris, afraid of the dreams that might torment him if he did sleep. Meyer dozed off early on, mumbling in his sleep.

Stella, the capital city of Tolevarre, sat above the clouds, and had once been the most peaceful place in the realm where every star outside the galaxy could be seen on a clear night. Now things were darker, the sun never seemed to peak as high as it once did during the warm season, and the stars had lost their sparkle a long time ago.

The nirvanic nights were no more, replaced with a chill that sat at the base of Bridger’s spine at the mere mention of Aeris.

A welcome feeling for the Commander of Tolevarre whose life was no longer light and love but corruption and malice.

He was everything his parents hoped he would be and more.

Bridger had chosen this life. There was no going back. The darkness had consumed him.

Bridger kicked Meyer’s boot to nudge him awake when Marlena’s estate came into view, the sun setting behind the mountains with an ominous glow over the manor. “We’re here.”

This home always made Bridger antsy. Even with the original building long gone, the ghosts of what happened here still lived somewhere deep inside him. Bridger would never forget Vega’s scream when Marlena ripped her father’s heart from his chest. Jonan’s spirit would haunt this land until the end of time.

Some memories couldn’t be suppressed, even with powers like his.

Marlena wanted to live here to remind everyone of what she’d done to her own family, of what she would do to them if they weren’t careful.

The door to their vehicle opened as soon as it came to a rolling stop. Bridger expected to see one of his soldiers. Instead, they were greeted by the praefectus of Fortis—Bridger’s homeland.

---