Page 52 of Lovers Fate

“There are others that interfere. Other women and men who will do anything to get between you and what you’ve had for centuries. The bond. The love. They want what you have. What your friend Rose can have. She faces the same risks as you do.

“And the rest? The evil souls I have to get rid of, or whatever?”

She laughs. “Oh, sweetie, he’s already begun. What you did in the past in this life is a sign for him, but don’t rush things.” She winks. “Let him sweat.”

SEVENTEEN

For the past two nights,I looked for Draco at the club. When I was on stage, I looked for him. When I arrived and when I left, but he never showed. Rachel sent me a text telling me she left with the others an hour after Rose arrived, and we started the first haunted house. After the reading with the fortune teller, I couldn’t sleep. I would stare at the doll, like it was going to come alive and tell me all I needed to know. I would play what she said in my mind on a loop, trying to pick it apart for clues.

I lean back on the headboard of the bed in my motel room. I Google reincarnation and feel stupid for doing it but find there are cases that exist. People meeting again from a past life. People claiming they knew things from their formal lives. People also claim to have visions or a sense of déjà vu when they arrive at places. New countries. Meeting people. But I knew what the old woman told me was entirely different. This was fate for something that I did, but the question is, who is Draco in this life compared to his past life?

“I would die for you,” a man’s voice whispers in my ear.

“It’s time,” a little girl’s voice whispers.

My body starts shaking on the bed, and I feel like I’m hovering over the mattress. “Mommy, help them.” The little girl’s voice starts fading to a whisper. “Help them.”

I jerk awake, my eyes pop open, and I gasp for air. I feel something in my chest. I look down, realizing I fell asleep scrolling through my phone.

”It was a dream,” I mutter, wiping sleep from eyes with one hand.

I unlock my screen and see that it’s six a.m., and my mouth feels like sandpaper. The diner is open, and it will be daylight soon.

I take a shower and freshen up. I throw on a pair of jean shorts and a cropped hoodie, pairing it with my Converse sneakers. I need to go car shopping. I can’t rely on Uber or walking to and from work.

Activity at the motel has picked up, and soon it won’t be safe enough to walk to and from work or anywhere. It’s getting colder, and walking in the cold is not an option.

I walk out and make my way to the diner. The sky is gray, heavy with fog. The air is crisp as I make my way down the stairs.

When I make it to the diner, the same server greets me. “Good morning, have a seat wherever you like, sweetheart.”

“Thanks,” I say with a smile and then scan the diner. There are three men inside having their morning cup of coffee. Two must be truckers. There are two rigs parked out front, their logos matching the trucker hats they wear. The third, which I don’t recognize, is seated at the back table, choosing the booth that is furthest away from the men.

I’m scrolling through my phone when I feel the table tremble and hear the groan of vinyl as someone slides into the booth across from me.

I look up and spot Draco’s grin, making my heart stop and my stomach flip.

“Good morning, Athena. Sleep well?”

If he only knew how sexy his voice sounds in the morning. I could never stop wanting to hear it. He picks up the menu I didn’t realize he brought with him instead of using the tablet.

“Do you stalk girls in diners too?”

He looks up from the menu. “No, just you.”

Fuck me. I squeeze my thighs together remembering what he did with his tongue. The memory haunts me in the most delicious ways.

“Why?”

“Why not?” he says, his British accent making an appearance, “Is there a problem?”

“Not at all, but you don’t know me that well.”

“I’ve had a taste.” Jesus. “Besides, how am I supposed to get to know you if you have a problem with me showing up?” he counters, making my heart gallop.

“I thought it was rude to show up unannounced.”

“I don’t have your phone number,” he points out.

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