Page 77 of Seeking Shadows

Zane watches me for a moment before asking, “Do you want to train today?”

I shake my head immediately. “I’m feeling unwell.”

I lie. I have plans for later. I just need to figure out how I’m going to get rid of him to execute them.

Besides, I’m not in the mood for sweat and struggle and all that stuff about being someone’s teacher. Today, I want something different. I'd rather have coffee and maybe a little gratuitous drama. Or blood. I’ll be spilling blood, but not Zane’s.

I wait for the voices, but they surprisingly abandoned me today. The world feels bright and sunny.

Before the conversation can go anywhere, Zane’s phone vibrates on the table. Charlie. He answers with a tired sigh.

“What now?”

I watch as he listens in silence, the muscles in his jaw twitching. When he finally hangs up, he huffs and runs a hand through his hair.

“I need to go out.”

I smile. Yay! Getting rid of him was quicker than I thought.

But before he leaves, he turns to me, a little red.

“Are we good? About yesterday?”

Does he mean when we had intense sex and I basically passed out in bed next to him, only waking up to the sound of him vomiting the next day?

Well, for my part, I am fine. I know that doesn’t mean we’re going to walk off into the sunset together. There’s still a lot going on.

But we did what we wanted because we needed each other. I understand that.

“Are you better?”

“Yes. Thank you for being there.”

“Wherever you go, I go, I guess,” I say with a smile, throwing his sentence back at him, and he smiles before turning and leaving.

I walk upstairs without rushing, already thinking about what to wear. Something practical, yet pretty. There's nothing like a good dress to add a little color to your day—and maybe test reactions.

I start getting ready, putting on makeup. And finally, I’m ready.

I twirl in front of the mirror, letting the skirt of my yellow dress swirl around me. It’s light, breezy—perfect for a sunny day, like it was made to make me feel like a walking ray of sunshine. The straps are comfortable, and the scoop neckline gives me room to breathe. But the best part? The ruffle at the hem. It sways when I walk, like it’s dancing with me. I slip on a pair of white sneakers, throw a cap on my head, and smile. There you have it. I’ve realized that my tastes veer between Zane’s clothes and dresses. It really depends on my mood. Or the weather, but I like dresses, mostly because they make me feel good.

Anyway.

I look at myself in the mirror once more, then pick up the white bag. Beautiful. This look is perfect for killing that bitch who’s been keeping Zane up at night.

I head toward the car, then pick up my phone and dial the number of someone I know will help me without question.

“Mia? What a surprise,” Abigail says in a sweet tone. I used to resent Abigail until I met her, and now I’m grateful that Zane at least had someone like her in his life.

“I missed you! How’s little Liam?” I ask, and she laughs.

"A big poopy bomb," she replies, giggling.

“That’s disgusting.”

“Don’t even tell me about it.”

“Is Zane with you? Kyle tried to text.”

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