Page 7 of Crimson Shadows
Randall’s expression softens slightly. “Your mother will be fine. She is human. They won’t,can’t,touch her.”
I shake my head, struggling to process everything. “This is insane. Yesterday, I was just a normal, albeit slightly weird, girlworking in a morgue. Now I’m what, some kind of supernatural fugitive?” My voice has gone shrill, and it grates on my nerves. I take a step back and breathe in deeply to bring down the cloak of apathy I reserve for most things.
“Welcome to our world,” Randall says dryly. “Now, we need to move. MistHallow is the safest place for you right now.”
“But term doesn’t start for another week,” I protest weakly.
“Officially, but the gates open tonight.”
“What?”
He shrugs. “It’s a thing…”
“So you what? Either expected me to jump on this without a second thought, or you were going to kidnap me?”
“What? No!” he says, looking a bit miffed. “I mean, the gates open tonight and will stay open for the next week. Then they close. Students are free to arrive as and when they will, but the earlier, the better, I’ll admit.”
“Why?” I’m intrigued despite the fear still coursing through my veins.
“First come, first serve for accommodation.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me that earlier! I don’t want to end up in the fucking basement!” My hands go into my hair again, and I yank the hair tie out, letting my hair cascade down my back, practically reaching the top of my arse.
He chuckles. “You won’t end up in the basement, Adelaide. You’re my daughter.”
“And?” I hiss.
“Forget the basement, we need to move, or this Wesley dick will be back, and this time, he will know what you are. He saw you with me.”
I want to argue, to demand more explanations, but the memory of Wesley plunging that stake into that poor man’s chest without any chance to defend himself chills me to my soul.
“Fine,” I concede, fear driving my decision. “I need to pack and let me at least say goodbye to Mum.”
Randall nods curtly. “Make it quick.”
I rush back into the house, finding Mum in the hallway, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and she looks up at me with sadness and resignation.
“You heard all that?” I ask.
Mum nods, her eyes glistening. “I knew this day would come eventually. I hoped we’d have more time, though.”
I rush forward and wrap my arms around her, inhaling her familiar scent of lavender and home. “I’m sorry, Mum. I don’t want to leave you.”
She pulls back, cupping my face in her hands. “Oh, Addy. You have nothing to be sorry for. This is who you are. I’ve known it since the day you were born. I just wanted to protect you for as long as I could.”
“But what about you? Will you be safe?”
Mum smiles, though it’s stiff and fake. “I’ll be fine, love. The Hunters have no interest in humans, as your father said.”
I don’t want to point out that they might come after her for information. Maybe that’s just in the movies. I really need to get another hobby; I groan inwardly as I’m basing everything about this entire situation on what I stream on fucking Netflix.
But then the reality of the situation hits me like a punch to the gut. “Mum, I’m scared,” I whisper.
She pulls me close again. “I know, sweetheart. But you’re strong. Stronger than you know. And MistHallow is where you belong. Where you’ll learn to be who you truly are.”
I nod against her shoulder, trying to memorise everything about this moment - her warmth, her scent, the sound of her heartbeat.
“Go pack,” she says softly. “I’ll make you some sandwiches for the journey.”
