Page 73 of Forever Touched

Mistress hadn’t been exaggerating. She’d ordered adeep cleanof the house from top to bottom.

Several times throughout the day, either she, Georgina, or Octavia came to check on my progress. At one point, Georgina tossed a toothbrush at me and demanded I scrub her entire bathroom with it—even the toilet. I worked without complaint, my mind elsewhere while my body slaved away.

It had taken an hour of laser focus, but I’d finally managed to reach Everett through our bond. Hearing the relief in his voice lifted my spirits, and I’d spent the past several hours sending him little updates on my wellbeing. I was safe, all things considered. His claim on me had frozen time, allowing me to brainstorm andthinkfor once. I didn’t know how I could break the pactum’s hold on me without dying in the process, but I was going to turn over every possible idea.

As the Faircrofts prepared to leave for the evening, I finished telling Pepper all about the time I’d spent with Everett and his family.

Sounds like your soulmate isn’t the villain we believed him to be, she mused.Not anymore, at least. Which is a hard thing to admit, considering all the terrible things he did to witches in his lifetime.

I smiled a little.He’s no Prince Charming, but I can’t blame him for being a bit rough around the edges after all he went through with his brothers and the curse. At least he’s learning from his mistakes and attempting to fix them.

Wow, Pepper said in an amused tone.I think you might like him.

I mean, I’m starting to respect him, I evasively replied.

She snorted.You’ve spent too much time pretending, Ada. You don’t have to hide how you really feel.

Oh, yes, I did. Because the truth was too dangerous to face. Keeping my feelings about Everett carefully locked away was my only option right now. There was too much at stake, too many things that could go wrong. I couldn’t get distracted by feelings when my very survival was in question, not to mention his.

Mistress’s voice suddenly rang through the house. “We’re leaving, Adalyn. Remember your promises and don’t stop working until you’ve completed the list.”

I paused in my task, waiting for the sound I’d been longing to hear all day. When the front door snapped shut and silence finally descended over the house, I jumped up and started to dance. Not like I’d been trained to, but however I wished. I leapt and twirled, oddly excited to be stuck in the house all night. It meant that for the first time in three years, I didn’t have to work at theclub.

Racing down the stairs, I turned on every lightswitch I passed, pausing only to shimmy out of my jeans and toss them on the floor. Wow, that feltamazing. I was wasting electricityandmaking a mess.

“We have the whole house to ourselves, Pepper!” I belted out. “My wicked taskmasters have left the building!”

She cackled in my mind.What should we do first? Jump on all their beds? Paint each other’s toenails with Georgina’s pink polish? It’s been ages since we’ve had a girls’ night!

I know, Pep, I’m so sorry. But I’m going to make it up to you. I’ll rummage in the pantry and see if I can find us a snack, then we can lounge around and belazy. Let’s watch a movie or something.Mistress would have a fit if she knew.

Pepper cackled again.Forget her. The night is ours. I just wish I could leave a nasty little present in her bed. Hearing her disgusted shriek would be the perfect end to the evening.

I laughed as I headed for the kitchen, still turning on lights and shedding clothing. My shirt hit the floor with a satisfactory plop.I agree, but if she knew amousewas in the house. . .

I know, I know. She’d probably hunt me down herself and eat me raw. Well, she couldtry, but she’d never catch me.

Still, you know I can’t risk it, Pep. I’m sorry you’ve been stuck in the basement for so long, but—

No need to apologize, Ada. You’re innocent in all this.

“Ha!” I said aloud, nearing the basement door. “You’re the second person—no,third—to call me innocent today.” Dramatically throwing a hand to my forehead, I twittered, “Oh, to be an innocentvirginagain.”

“I’m all for pretending you’re a virgin, so long as I get to pop your cherry.”

Startled by the male voice, I whirled toward the kitchen door and screamed like a banshee. Spotting the hulking form in the doorway, instinct took over. I grabbed the nearest object and threw it at the intruder, realizing too late who it was.

Everett whipped a hand up and easily caught the object, then said with a soft tsk, “Did you really think this would stop a vampire, Adalyn? And not that I don’t appreciate the view, but why are you half naked?”

I blinked down at my bra and panties. “Um, I have the night off. Guess I like to relax without my clothes on.”

“Good to know.”

At the amusement in his voice, I threw him a smirk. “As for the glass paperweight, it was all I had. Mistress confiscated my onlyweapon. By the way, what are you doing here?”

“Is that what she makes you call her? Yourmistress?”

“I guess. But seriously. Why are you—?”

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