Page 25 of Forbidden Knots

"And the stalker?" she asked, her tone casual but her eyes searching.

"Maybe it was all in my imagination," I said, forcing a smile.

I didn’t know why I lied. Why was I protecting him? But deep in my gut, I felt something was wrong with Grandma, and I couldn’t trust her with this. As I tilted my head, she came closer, her hands on my cheek.

"What happened?" she asked, looking at my neck.

This question, her not remembering, her touch—all of it sent mixed signals that made my gut churn. I needed love from my family, but that need could sometimes destroy you. Even those who love you the most can hurt you the most, and I couldn't let her do that. I had the Shadow on my back, and I had a Storm inside me fighting for who I was. So, all I could do was lie. "I fell, remember?"

She looked at me, puzzled. Her eyes showed she knew I was lying, but I didn’t know if she was remembering that she had caused those bruises or if she thought someone else did. Either way, I was covering it all up and brushing it under the rug because I craved some normalcy in my life.

Ever since I arrived, I had been attacked, insulted, stalked, and now my grandmother was trying to murder me. And all that kept coming to mind was that all of this—her, my mom, me—might have something to do with one person who was no longer here:Rose.

As she walked out of the room, I quickly picked up the photo and tore it to pieces. I hated feeling so vulnerable in front of him, like I needed him for just a thrill, to feel alive.

FOURTEEN

Storm

Iwas already at the cliffs as the noon sun hit itszenith.Italians never go to the beach around noon; Grandma says only crazy people do. But I didn't go to the beach at noon because I was crazy. I went because I wanted to avoid people. It wasn't that I hated the whole human race, just a few people in particular.

As I lay down, my blouse placed over my head to create some shade and prevent my face from getting red, I heard Sophie's voice approaching.

"Thalia," she shouted, removing the blouse from my face so I could see her. "Were you sleeping?"

"Just a little," I lied, not wanting to confess I was ignoring her.

"Tristan and Chiara are coming here, so I just wanted to give you a heads-up," she said. "I know you don't like her, but since I'm dating her brother, maybe we should bury the hatchet."

I looked at her, blinking and squinting in the bright sunlight. "I hate her, but fine."

"Okay," she said, moving her towel toward the shade. "She can be nice, you'll see."

"When she’s not around..." I mumbled.

"What?" Sophie asked.

"I said when she’s not around!" I laughed.

"Don’t be mean," she said, chuckling and throwing her towel at me. Then she walked over to pick it up.

I removed the blouse from my eyes as they closed in, and as Chiara saw me, she immediately snapped, "Sophie, what is thisliardoing here?"

"Uhm," Sophie started, but as soon as she opened her mouth, I stood up and began packing my things. I knew neither of us wanted to be here together, and I felt more comfortable in my bedroom than sharing the same air as Chiara.

But as I brushed past them, Tristan caught my hand. "You were here first; we will go."

"No, we are staying," Chiara said, continuing to mumble in Italian, "Non me ne vado."

"Fine, then I will go with Thalia," Tristan said, standing up. "You are acting like a brat."

Chiara stood up with him, raising her hand as if to slap him, but he caught her wrist and pushed her back against the rock, his hand holding her neck. "I said I am leaving."

Instead of jealousy, I saw fear in her eyes. She just nodded, her breathing faster, and held her head down as he moved away from her.

"After you," he gestured to me, and as I walked in front of him, he followed.

I could hear his breathing close behind me, but I didn’t turn back. I just walked until we reached the steps to the road. Then he passed me and held out his hand.

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