Page 110 of King of Knights

I gasp as I’m snapped back into the future. I feel the moment I’m back inside of Ray. The difference between her power and mine registers right away.

I groan and try not to whimper. She’s still calling my name. Once I’m able to gather my thoughts, I respond.

“I know why Kendrick can’t hear me,”I whisper.

“What?”

“I know why you are the only one who can hear me in your head,”I say this time.

“Why?”

“He can’t hear me because I shut him out. It was a spell I didn’t correct before entering this one. I’ve made so many mistakes. I don’t belong here and I think my time is running out. I may never get to meet my son.”

“Oh, Venus, don’t say that. We’re still going to find him. Hang in there, okay?”

“Okay,”I reply, but I’m no longer hopeful.

Ray is becoming stronger. She may not feel it, but I can. I’m not going to last here for much longer.

* * *

Ray

I can feelVenus’s anxiety as if it were my own. Or it might just be my own. I stare down at the phone Ember said came for me this afternoon.

She couldn’t tell me from whom or where. Only that it was delivered and I was to get it. Now, I’ve been staring at the thing like it’s going to bite me.

This can only be from my dad. I don’t know anyone else. My sisters all call me on the phone Kendrick gave me after I lost mine that night.

The phone rings and I nearly jump out of my skin. I reach for it with a shaky hand. I don’t know how I feel about speaking to my dad.

I still have so many unanswered questions. Despite everything, I do love him. Although I never got to go out or do much, he did spoil me.

I was pampered weekly and anything I wanted, I could have. All but friends, freedom, and a real life. I guess none of that is a worthy trade-off. I sigh at my thoughts.

“Hello,” I answer the call.

“Hello, sweetheart. How you doing, Ray?”

“Hey, Daddy. I’m fine.”

“How’s that biker treating you?”

“He’s good to me. I can’t complain.”

He grows silent for a moment. I hold my breath as I wait for him to tell me why he’s calling. I was expecting him to do more yelling.

“Listen, I may have handled things wrong. You didn’t like Angelo. I should’ve listened. You’re still my little girl.

“I don’t want something so small to come between us. It’s always been you and me, kid. You’re all I have. I’ve been miserable without you. My world is falling apart. I miss you, Ray.

“Do you remember the song I used to sing to you when you were a little girl? I keep thinking about how you would look up at me like I was the center of your world. I told myself the first time I held you that I’d do right by you,” he says.

Tears roll down my cheeks. I do remember when he would sing to me in Italian. Those were some of my favorite times. He was always so busy, but he made time to have tea parties with me. I remember him reading me bedtime stories and singing me to sleep.

“I miss you too. I don’t know how things got so crazy. Angelo tried to force himself on me and… I hope that didn’t cause you any trouble,” I murmur.

“Forget about it. If I had known that’s what happened, I would have… Never mind. Let’s leave the past in the past. Have dinner with me.

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