Page 50 of Where He Ended

- Chapter 20 -

Laiken

Kara,I think, rushing towards the house.

I remember our promise, and how someone broke it against her will.

Kara.

I think about the easy way she'd laugh as we raced through the forest.

Kara!

I imagine all of that vanishing forever.

“Kara!” I shout, unable to keep it in any longer. I'm afraid of warning anyone else about what's going on, because they all work for Annie, and she's my enemy. Everyone is my enemy except for my sister - and Dominic.

A figure darts out from the bushes, grabbing for me. I'm halfway to screaming before I recognize Kara. “Thank god,” I gasp, grabbing her in a hug.

“What's going on?” she asks, recognizing the panic in my pale face.

Quickly I glance behind me—I don't see Annie yet. “Kara, we need to get out of here. Annie, she's . . . she's gone crazy. She wants to hurt me by hurtingyou!”

My sister stares, her grip on me going slack. Pulling away, she scans the area. She's all business. “Then let's do it. I've wanted to get out of here for forever.”

Sucking in a bigger breath of air, I grasp her wrist and tug her towards the driveway. She digs her heels in, stopping me. “We can't waste time!” I hiss.

“I know that, but what the hell is your plan? Walk out the damn gates?”

Shaking my head, I tug on her desperately. “Dominic will help us.”

Her eyes narrow fiercely. “Excuse me?”

“Kara, don't do this. Not now. You have to trust him!”

“I can't!”

“Then trustme!”I cry, whirling on her, rattling her by her shoulders. “Please,” I whisper, my voice tight and tiny from my fear. “I can't let anything happen to you. I just can't.”

Straightening up, Kara holds my hand. “I get it. Let's go.”

My relief gives me strength. Together we sprint up the grass, keeping close to the side of the house. As long as Annie says nothing, warns no one, I don't expect any trouble from the guards or staff. All we have to do is find Dominic.

I'm sure if we do, everything will be okay.

He'll keep us safe.

He promised.

Jogging through the front door, I never once let go of my sister. My eyes search the room frantically.Where is he, where is he, where is he?Chanting in my head, I pull us towards the hall, praying the string between Dominic's heart and my own will lead us to him.

He's just exiting his father's study. As he shuts the door, his eyes track my way, locking on me. There are no words needed. He knows something is wrong.

On long legs he strides towards us, his voice low and hot. “What happened?” he asks.

“Your mother,” I say, my adrenaline starting to melt. It leaves my limbs heavy as sand bags. “She was in the preserve, drunk, and she threatened Kara. Dominic, she wasn't kidding around—she's going to hurt her!”

The depths in his ebony pupils expand. I could sink into them and swim, but I worry that all his anger would consume me, drowning me. He's not trying to disguise how upset he is. “She what?” he whispers. It's not a question. He’s not asking me to convince him. Looking us over, he moves his head as if he's confirming something to himself. “I have to get you both out of here.”

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