Page 13 of Visions & Shadows

When I get close and hear rushing water, I deviate from the path, and finding the large tree I hid behind after I arrived on Earth, I see Alchera near the pool.

She’s sitting with her legs pulled up and her arms wrapped around her shins, looking more fragile than the strong immortalis I know she is.

I focus on her emotions, and feeling she’s much calmer than when she was at school, I let out a breath of relief.

My eyes drift over her face, and I take a moment to drink in her beauty. She’ll be downright exquisite once the glamor from the elixir is removed and her human mask falls away. She’ll also look a little older because she’s turning twenty-one soon, and not eighteen like she thinks.

Fuck, there’s a lot she’s going to have to adjust to.

I wish I could go to her to explain everything and tell her about our bond.

Instead, I settle for watching over her until night starts to fall around us.

When Alchera gets up and lets out a heavy sigh, my arms ache tohold her so I can offer her comfort and strength.

Jane / Alchera

When I wake up, Ialmost have a heart attack.

“What the hell?!” My voice is thick with sleep as I glare at Molly, who’s leaning over me.

The real shocker is that she’s already dressed and ready for school.

I bring my left wrist close to my eyes so I can see my watch. It doesn’t help because my sight is blurry from just waking up.

I growl at Molly, “What time is it?”

“Ten past six.” She sits down on the side of my bed. “I got up early, so we can talk while you get ready.”

I stare at her, totally sure she’s losing her freaking mind.

Climbing out of bed, I walk to the closet while saying, “You never get up early. Are you feeling okay?”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m fine.” Sitting cross-legged on my unmade bed, she gives me an expectant smile.

Ugh, this early morning visit means nothing good for me.

I grab a baby-green sweater, a hoodie, and a pair of jeans.

“What’s with you and all the layers?” she asks.

“I like layers,” I grumble. “And it’s cold outside.”

“You wear layers in the summer as well. Why?”

It’s way too early for this.

“Because I want to,” I snap while scowling at her. “Do we really have to do this so early in the morning?”

Grinning at me, she nods. Her voice sounds almost like a purr when she asks, “Why is Ryan sitting next to you in every class?”

Ugh, really. She woke me up to ask me about Ryan?

I can’t believe she got up this early just to remind me Robert and his asswipe friends are trying to play me for a fool.

Letting out a sigh, I say, “It’s a prank, so just sitback and watch as Ryan completes his initiation. Then, you can laugh right along with your boyfriend and his dipshit buddies.”

Her eyebrows draw together, and her features grow serious. “I would never laugh at you, and you know that. Besides, I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding. Robert wouldn’t be mean to you.”

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