Page 23 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

Not only did I draw the attention of several attendees who could identify me, but I met the elusive fae king. Only it wasn’t my first time. Or my hundredth. For years I’d been dreaming of him and had no idea.

Then I went and persuaded him so I could escape.

“Fucking leprechaun. Fucking job. Fucking fuckity fuck,” I muttered under my breath as I walked to my bedroom. I cast my bed a single longing glance and then turned for my closet. As much as I wanted to sleep, it would have to wait. I couldn’t imagine it would take them long to find someone that could track me, and I needed to be longgone when they did.

I opened my phone, scrolling through my top contacts until I found my sister’s name and I quickly typed out a message.

Meera [11:39 pm]: I was seen 2night. Packing. Gotta get outta herw.

I hit send, my fingers trembling.

Typos aside, I was sure Sadie would understand and relay the message to our family. They were into enough shady shit that they knew how to go underground when necessary.

Before tonight, they’d never needed to.

Neither had I.

But on the off chance there was someone else with a gift like mine, I had to get the hell out of here before I led them straight to the only people in this world that I loved.

My phone vibrated, and I glanced at the screen without opening the text thread.

Sadie [11:40 pm]:Are you all right? Is someone following you?

I wanted to call her and explain, but I didn’t have the time. I didn’t even have time to change. Leaving as quickly as possible was imperative. Empty duffle bag splayed open, I started throwing clothes inside, not caring whether they matched or not. A couple of pairs of boots. A phone charger. Some protein bars from the kitchen and a pack of Twizzlers. My toiletries, which was simple enough when I opened the little purple bag that Sadie got me for Christmas a few years ago and I swept my arm over the counter until everything was dumped inside. I tossed it in the duffel then took a slow perusal of my room, trying to figure out if there was anything I’d forgotten.

My phone lit up again because I hadn’t responded.

With a sigh, I tugged the zipper on my duffel and threwit over my shoulder. Screw it. If I forgot anything, I could buy a new one with the cash I’d earned tonight.

Ready to go, I paused to text my sister back.

Meera [11:43 pm]:Probably. I need to get out of here. Go into hiding for a little bit. I’ll call you when I get to the safe house, okay? Take care of yourself. Tell mom and dad I’m sorry.

Before I closed the thread, she texted back.

Sadie [11:43 pm]:I’ll meet you there in a few days. Be careful, okay? I love you. <3

A small smile flicked across my lips as I shook my head. It pained me to leave like this, but I couldn’t risk it. While it was unlikely they could track me tonight, I had no doubt they would eventually catch up to me. With how Vareck acted . . . I chewed my thumbnail nervously. Yeah, they’d show up eventually. I let out a long sigh and quickly texted back, my thumbs swiping over the phone screen.

Meera [11:44 pm]:Yeah, yeah. Luv u too. Give me th

Before I could even finish typing, the message was sent early, and my phone slipped from my grasp. Every part of me tensed as a hand clamped over my mouth, strong arms pinning me against a hard body.

My fight instinct kicked in. I moved to stomp on the intruder's foot, then elbowed them in the stomach. Only they didn’t move. On the contrary, the more I struggled, the stronger they gripped.

That was when the masculine scent registered.

Snow covered fir trees. The crisp bite of cold. Winter.

I shuddered.No way.There was no freakin’ way he’d already found me.

My exposed skin from my ripped dress pressed against the ice-cold fabric of his posh clothes. A shiver ran through me. My phone buzzed againstthe floor with a slew of messages from my sister. I could see them, but I couldn’t respond.

Sadie [11:45 pm]:Meera?

Sadie [11:45 pm]:Give you what?

A deep voice whispered in my ear, his ragged breath sending chills down my spine.

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