Page 7 of Consume Me

“Respect his decision.”

Hunter exhales loudly, not looking at her. After Blake left, Kaden stormed into Bailey’s room, demanding to know where Blake was. That’s how Hunter found out Bailey was the hacker. Since then, the dynamic between him and Bailey has changed.

“I understand you’re trying to respect his wishes, but we’re his family,” Abigail says softly.

Bailey grips the fork tighter. “Really? Because both you and Kaden were accusing him of being a traitor.”

“Bailey,” Dane says, his tone ringing with a warning. God forbid anyone says something to Abi. It’s cute and all, but Bailey is right.

“We all just needed time to process things, Bailey,” Celine tries.

It is not necessarily surprising that my best friend turned into a diplomat, trying to balance the group, but I see her in a new light. Kaden’s love made that softer side of her resurface. I am just happy she’s not angry and lost anymore.

“My answer hasn’t changed and won’t change. If and when he wants to come back, he will.”

“Then stop bloody sabotaging us,” Hunter says so low the room temperature drops.

She looks him right in the eyes—a rare moment, as they usually avoid each other. “Prove it.”

Two more love stories could have blossomed. Theirs, like Blake’s and mine, but both were slaughtered along the way.

Hunter stands up, raking a hand through his hair. “Fuck it all. Let’s scour this damn country. We know what he does. We’ll just follow the trail of underground fights, and without Bailey knowing where we are, we might have a chance at finding that asshole.”

“We have dinner with the matriarch today,” Abigail reminds them.

I only talked with the old matriarch once. Grandmother, as everyone called her, invited me to her private chambers because her health declined rapidly. She glanced at me knowingly and said, “You already have something of mine.You can keep it. But remember what you wear. Those pearls belonged to a queen. Become one, so you’ll be worthy of them.”

She was bedridden for a week before she died peacefully in her sleep.

Astute woman. I didn’t nod or apologize. The conversation was one-sided, but before I left, she said, “Loving the ones who don’t feel worthy of love requires strength.”

“I don’t lack strength. He just didn’t want me.”

I expected to see him at her funeral. Bailey surely must have informed him. Yet he never showed up.

One left and others came along, like my brother and me, the descendants of the Prescott line. That’s the cycle of life.

Bailey leaves for classes, taking her backpack with her.

“I don’t get her,” Hunter says.

“You don’t try to,” I say, leaving next.

Bailey and I have quickly become close friends. I rush to catch up to her.

She holds her backpack to her chest as we walk across campus. A blanket of gray clouds hangs overhead, making the air chilly. Winter is making its presence known—everything slowly dying, the cold taking the reins.

“Am I doing the right thing?” she asks, looking unsure.

“You should never hold on to people who want to go. It’s on him, but I’m sorry he left you to deal with his mess.”

“You’re upset, Mia. But Blake left because he thought he was doing the right thing.”

I want to believe her, but I can’t. “What if Cassandra asks you?”

“She hasn’t, and that makes me believe she knows him, and well.”

I sigh in response.

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