Page 39 of Oleander
I didn’t tell Ander I’ve never actually been to the house in St. Louis because he’d likely try to talk me out of it, but when my mind is made up, there’s no stopping me. With the perfect image conjured, I step forward into the swirling purple abyss and hope for the best.
CHAPTER TWELVE
SKYLER
The portal spits me out, and I collapse to my knees, violently throwing up into what I can only hope is my mother’s flowerbed. That was worse than the first time, like I was stretched in too many directions and nearly torn apart. My muscles are on fire, and my head is spinning, but I sneak around the side of the house and peek into a front window.
The blinds are open, and there she is, happy and smiling with a handsome middle-aged man who must be her new boyfriend. Two young girls race by with long, fishtail braids. The exact way my mom does her own hair.
I can see she’s busy with her new family because her cell phone is resting on the end table, completely ignored. It’s a kick to the gut when I realize she’s finally free to live her life without the burden of an annoying teenage son.
No wonder she never called me back.
At least she can finally be happy.
“I told you to follow the rules and stay at the academy,” a soft voice laments from behind me, and I stiffen.
“But you didn’t listen, did you?Stupid human.” Rough hands lift me, pressing my face into the brick exterior.
“They can see us,” I choke out, but it’s a weak defense, and the deep voice only chuckles.
“Have you learned nothing from your time in Faerie, Skyler?It’s magic.They can’t see a thing.”
Cold metal is brutally clasped around my wrists before I’m spun around, coming face to face with Onyx and Birch.
“No!” I yank at the iron handcuffs in a pointless attempt to escape but only bruise my wrists instead.
“Hello, little Fae,” Onyx says calmly as if I’m not squirming and struggling to get free like a wounded animal. “I’m sorry to see you again under such circumstances.”
I suck my teeth in disbelief. “Like you care. You dropped me off with nothing but the clothes on my back.”
Onyx’s dark brows crease in concern and confusion. “I’m sorry?”
“Like you don’t know,” I huff, turning my head away from him and gazing into the window at my mom and her new, perfect family like I’m the Ghost of Christmas Present.
I guess I don’t belong anywhere because I thought I was coming home to a mom who’d be worried sick and excited to see me.
Not this.
I can’t even look at their happy little family any longer, so I turn back to my captors.
Onyx’s purple eyes sparkle with something that could be mistaken for compassion and concern if I didn't know better.“Skyler.A scholarship comes with living expenses?—”
“And Captain’s not your daddy. You should have followed up on your own. You are not our responsibility,” Birch interrupts, shaking his head in disbelief and impatience. “But that’s no longer important. We must return you to the academy immediately, where both yours and the prince’s punishments will be decided together.”
“Ander had nothing to do with this!” I plead. “It was all my idea. I take full responsibility. I’ll take his punishment.”
“We shall see,” Onyx says sadly. “Queen Hyacinth herself is opening a portal for us to return. That’s not a favor to take lightly. And fair warning, it might be uncomfortable for you, considering you portal-hopped moments ago.”
“Yeah,human. This is going tohurt.” A sick sort of glee swirls in Birch’s eyes.
My stomach flips with nerves, and sweat beads along my temples.
I’m doomed.
I’m utterly, totally, and completely fucking doomed.
Without time for another thought, a swirling blue portal opens up before me, and suddenly, I’m shoved from behind, screaming as I fly through space and time. I land on my ass, nearly bruising my tailbone on the hard forest floor. I’m once again back in Auroria.
