Page 16 of Mesmerised

“Mind if I join you?”

“Sure, why not.” I indicated to the spot beside me.

For long minutes we both gazed out to sea. I looked at her from the side and it was odd, but I could feel strength and power emanating from her.

“Are you like Antoine?”

“Yes. I’m Isabella, by the way.”

“I’m Donna, but I guess you already know that. Did he send you out here to talk some sense into me?”

“No. I came because I want to get to know you and to try and explain your life now.”

“Life? What life? I’ve lost everyone that means anything to me, and the rest of my life sailed down the toilet with it. It’s game over.” I sighed and gazed out to sea again.

“It doesn’t have to be over, you know. You could have an amazing life with Antoine.”

Tremors of anger took hold of my body and my head throbbed. I turned to face her. “But because of him, I’ve lost everything that meant something to me. All my choices were taken away from me.” I stood and faced the sea again.

Isabella stood but said nothing. What was she waiting for?

“Look, Isabella, I’m sure you mean well, but…” I sighed. “After that demon took up residence in my head for months, I need to go somewhere and find peace.”

“That, I do understand. But if you go, you’ll die within a week.”

“Seriously? Do you really expect me to believe that?”

She lifted one shoulder. “There’s only one way to find out. Not only will Antoine die, but Jeanie and Mac too.”

A chill crawled over me. “Are you trying to blackmail me into staying?”

“No, Donna, you have your free will. The choice is yours. You can stay and see how this life suits you, or you can do exactly what Gustav wants.”

“Die, you mean?”

She nodded, her expression grim. “That’s been his ultimate goal. Kill you, then Antoine dies. Sorry, but there’s no way to sugar-coat it for you.”

I tugged at my lower lip. My mind began to run riot as I imagined Antoine dead, his eyes staring up to the sky emotionless, his body lifeless. Then I thought of Jeanie and Mac.

“Hey, you’re crying.” Isabella’s voice sounded shocked.

I hadn’t even realised. The dam burst, and I cried even more. Huge, heaving sobs that wracked my body. Isabella drew me to her, stroking my hair and just allowing me to cry myself out. When I finished, she moved away but clasped my hands in hers.

“Whether you like it or not,” she spoke softly, “you already care for Antoine. Your heart is beating for him, your soul calling out to his. And he’s hurting, Donna. Hurting so much and ravaged with guilt over what’s happened to you.”

“I… I don’t know what to think. This is so monumental and confusing. But even now, when I think about leaving, I’m sad.”

“That’s the pull of fated mates.”

She sat back down, taking me with her.

“Is that how you felt with, um…” I didn’t know the man’s name in Antoine’s living room, but I assumed he was her mate.

“With Lorenzo, my mate, it was just as hard. When he found me, I’d been close to death. The victim of a mugging. He had no choice but to give me his blood or I’d have died.”

“Antoine gave me some of his when he rescued me from the sea. Does that mean I’m a Hybrid now?”

She smiled. “Not yet. To start with, you need to let him take some of your blood. This will give you a measure of safety.”

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