Page 22 of Fated

“I’ll eat if you promise to answer my questions about your world.”

“ASH!” Calyx yelled.

I quickly snatched a grape off one of the plates and popped it into my mouth. “I’m eating.”

“Nice try.” Calyx pointed his finger at me as he backed out of the room.

As soon as he was gone, I grabbed the nearest glass and downed its contents in one gulp—apple juice. I didn’t really care what the drink was, only that it quenched the insatiable thirst in my throat. Reaching for another glass—orange juice this time—I drained that one too. The food was harder to stomach, but I’d need my strength to get through whatever today held.

I forced myself to eat a few pieces of fruit and then finished a glass of water.

Today was about one thing: getting as many answers as possible. If I had any chance of surviving—and finding a way to kill them—then it had to start now.

Me, killing someone. The thought was ridiculous, yet deep down, I knew, somehow, it had to be done.

“We leave in fifteen!”

Calyx’s voice had called from outside the room, snapping me from my thoughts.

Scrambling out of bed, I quickly shut the bedroom door, my body screaming at me as I forced my sore muscles to work. My eyes fell on the blue jail uniform on the ground. Shit. What was I supposed to wear? Scanning the room, my eyes found the black dress on the floor.

“No, no, no,” I muttered, rubbing my hands over my face.

Dirty jail clothes covered in blood and vomit or the dress of a dead woman.Fuck.

Feeling like the worst person in the world, I stepped into the black dress. It fit, at least. I tried to push my guilt aside, brushing my teeth with the hotel-provided toothbrush and attempting to wash my face while wearing those stupid black gloves.

I stared into the mirror, barely recognizing the person reflecting back. My skin was blotchy, and my eyes were puffy and bloodshot, evidence of the night’s emotional wreckage.

With yet another deep, steadying breath, I braced myself.

My world had fallen apart, leaving me dying inside, but I steeled myself, building an impenetrable wall around the pain. There was no choice, I needed to focus on what had to be done today. Whatever Mom had hidden from me, she must have had good reason, and I was determined to find out what that was.

As I walked out of the bedroom and into the living room, Calyx and Ash were waiting, both dressed exactly as they had been yesterday in black cargo pants, t-shirts, and combat boots.

Apparently, this was some kind of vampire uniform.

Calyx took one look at me in the black dress and let out a low whistle.

Ash smirked, his gaze lingering just a moment too long.

My eyes rolled, and I flipped them both the middle finger, only making Ash’s smirk deepen.

***

We had been driving for at least fifteen minutes, every second of it spent with me bouncing my leg nervously, trying to summon the courage to speak.

Finally, I sucked in a breath and cleared my throat.

Calyx’s eyes flicked to me in the rearview mirror, looking mildly curious.

“So—um—since it sounds like your king is going to kill me anyway, I figured it couldn’t hurt to answer a few questions?”

My voice wavered slightly despite the attempt to sound casual.

Silence.

Calyx glanced at Ash, who didn’t so much as flinch.

---