Page 35 of The Fate of Eternity

“Your mother.”

17

ADRIANNA

Despite my victory and shifting back, it’s impossible for me to shake the blood clinging to my skin. Adding the fact that my estranged mother seemingly contributed to my escape leaves me completely overwhelmed and exhausted.

We run for what feels like hours, my stomach grumbling as the sun inches toward the west. The day slips away from us as we distance ourselves from Kenner. There’s only so far we can go, and he’s likely going to expect us to rush back to the academy, so Cassian has us running in zig zags across the City of Harrows to make sure we’re not followed.

When we take a break at the edge of the city, I feel ready to pass out.

“How much longer, Cassian?”

“I don’t know,” he admits, pushing a hand through his damp hair.

“Think we’ve given ourselves enough time to at least consider eating? Because I swear I can’t go any further.”

His eyes settle on mine, seeing past the blood that stains my skin and reminds me of today’s events. He sees something in my eyes because a moment later, he’s nodding. “We need toreach out to Beau and lay low until he can let us back into the academy,” he states, pulling me into his embrace. I bask in his warmth as his lips brush against my forehead. “Let’s stop for food, but don’t ask me where to go because everywhere I choose ends up putting you in danger.”

He takes a step back a breath later, pulling his cell phone from his pocket and tapping out a message. I gape at him as I pat my pockets, quickly realizing I don’t have my own device.

“Are you looking for this?” he asks, pulling my cell phone from his other pocket. Relief floods my veins as I murmur my thanks, impressed that he remembered the damn thing in the carnage.

Looking up at him, his prior words linger in my mind, but the rumbling of my stomach distracts me. I start moving, and Cassian is quick to stay by my side.

“I know exactly where to go,” I offer, fixing my hood over my head before I head toward the city walls. I don’t use my wolf speed this time; it’s impossible. I’m worn out but, thankfully, we don’t have far to go.

The familiar door hovers ahead, the chime echoing in the air as I step over the threshold and make my way to my usual booth. I fall into the seat with a sigh as Cassian remains alert, scanning every inch of the restaurant before he drops into the booth across from me.

“It feels like you’ve been here before,” he says, and I nod.

“I have. A lot. Raiden too, apparently,” I add, making him cock a brow at me, but I play it off with a shrug. Now that I’m seated in a familiar space, my focus drifts back to him.

“This isn’t your fault, Cassian.”

His eyes narrow on me for a moment as understanding dawns on him. I see the moment it clicks in his mind. The crinkling of his eyes gives him away before he shakes his head.

“If you say so,” he grumbles, and I reach across the table, enveloping his hand in my smaller one.

“I know so,” I insist, and he scoffs.

“I know different.” His grunt is sharp enough to try and cut me off from going deeper into the subject, but he’s a fool if he thinks that will work on me.

“Okay, so explain it to me. Explain what’s going through that head of yours.”

He purses his lips, avoiding my stare for a beat, but the moment his eyes finally land on mine, I know I’ve got him. “I was crumbling at Kryll’s, panicked that I needed to give you some time and space to connect with your wolf. I probably should have headed right back to the academy with you, but no, I was stubborn and?—”

“You were right,” I interrupt, tightening my hold on his hand when I sense him trying to pull away, and he scoffs.

“If I were right, you wouldn’t be sitting across from me covered in dried blood.”

Cocking a brow at him, I shake my head slowly. “Was it a risk going to Janie last night? Yes. Was it a risk to stay in your old house? Yes. But I can’t tell you how much I needed that time.” He starts to wave me off, but I remain firm, not giving him a chance to speak. “Truly, and not even just to make you feel better. I can’t express what that’s done for me, and even now, as I sit here drenched in blood, I don’t regret it. I might have only spent a little while with Janie, but hell, the confidence boost is on another level. She helped me in ways I can’t explain, and that’s thanks to you.”

He looks at me.Reallylooks at me. And with every passing second, I feel him soften.

“How do you even exist?” he murmurs, the corner of his lip threatening to tilt up, but he holds it back.

“To torture you,” I reply with a wink, and he rolls his eyes at me.

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