Page 9 of Tainted Hearts

“Already looking out for her. I made the right decision picking you. Go, get ready. Your new adventure starts today, but remember... mates or not, you are still to do as we planned.”

“Yes, of course, sir. I won’t let you down.”

The whole time I’m packing, I’m wondering if this is some kind of joke.Am I really going to earth? To go to some preppy angel school?Fuck, that’s going to be a nightmare. But I get to see Abby, to be around her. To smell her, to...no, Frankie, stop. Not yet, not now. She’s already going through so much from what I could tell when she came to Hell not too long ago.

I need to keep my distance, at least from physically touching her. Like I’d be able to stay away from her now that I have the green light to be with her.

This is a one day at a time thing. I might have known who she was to me, but outside of that one run in with her, she has no idea who I am.

Bags packed, I head to the portal, finding my dad waiting for me there. “About time,” he says.

“What?”

“That you do something about having a mate.”

My brows rise, eyes widening. “How—”

“You think you're sneaky, but I’ve seen you following the Princess around. It’s not just a girl who has a crush, it’s a mate who wants to protect.”

“You’re not mad?” My dad isn’t one to show emotion, and when he does, it’s never in the open.

“I love you, Frankie. You're my daughter, and I only want the best for you.”

“Thank you,” I say, my voice soft.

“Now go. Be safe.”

“Always.”

We don’t hug, but I can see the look of love in his eyes.

After stepping through the portal, the first thing I do when I get outside of the building is take in a deep breath of air. Fuck, it’s nice to be back here.

Looking around, I start to head toward the parking lot but then remember, I don’t know what the hell I’m supposed to do. It’s Sunday, are they even open? Do I just show up at the school and sayHey, I’m your new vampire scholarship student, where do I sleep?

Instead of wandering around like a fool, I decide to go to the one place I do know.

Remembering the way to Zed’s like the back of my hand, and the fact that I use my speed, I’m at my destination in under three minutes.

Smiling, I look up at the house of one of my bestest friends in the whole world. Someone I haven’t seen or spoken to in years.

Making my way to the door, I give it a few knocks. “I got it!” I grin at the sound of Libby’s voice.

When she opens the door, I can’t help but smile like an idiot. “Hey there, small fry.”

Her eyes go comically wide. “Frankie!” she screams before launching herself at me.

“My god, you’ve grown.” I chuckle as I hug her tightly.

“That’s what happens when you haven’t been by in three years,” she replies, sassy as ever, as she steps back.

“Who’s at the door, Libby?” Zed’s voice sounds from within the house, and fuck, it takes everything in me to not launch myself at him. He pops around the corner and looks over Libby’s head. Our eyes meet, and he looks like he’s seen a ghost.

“Frankie?”

“Hey there, Rock Star. Long time no see.”

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