Destiny watches us, and I pat Carter’s arm, thanking him for his support.
“Carter, you need to investigate my mother,” I urge as I step back. “Search her house. She did this.”He studies me, confusion etched across his features, “You think your mother killed Erin?”
“I fucking know she did, Carter!”
“Woah, okay, calm down, babe,” Jules rubs my back. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off?” she suggests.
“That’s a good idea. After work, Jules and I will come over. We can order pizza and play some cards.” I smile at Carter. “That sounds nice, but I’d like to stay working.”
Carter and Jules both nod. “Alright, but we’re still coming over for pizza and cards!” Jules says.
A few hours pass, and the crime scene is all cleaned up. No trace of my mother again, but my necklace keeps on throbbing under my shirt.
Adonis, are you near?I ask, thinking maybe he is listening to me.
Nothing.
I place my hand over my chest, and the beating dies down.
“What’s wrong?” Jules asks. “I don’t know. Something doesn’t seem right. My necklace keeps beating, but Adonis isn’t here… Jules,” I turn to face her. Keeping my voice low, I say, “My mother did this. I know she did. I can sense it. I think she has the symbol we saw earlier tattooed on her wrist.”
“That’s a big accusation,” she replies. “I know you hate her and trust me, I do too, but we don’t know that for certain.”
“What do you mean! She is worshipping Octavia! Did you notice how young she looks? She’s probably drinking children’s blood to keep her youth!”
“I know, I know. But Dani, Octavia is dead. She hasn’t been around for centuries; Adonis even said so himself.”
“I just… have this feeling. I don’t know how to describe it, but I just know.”
“Hey, Carter,” Jules calls him over to us. He closes the door to his cop car and walks to us purposefully. “Just make sure you look into Elanie Shay,” Jules says. I smile at her, silently expressing my gratitude for having her support.
Carter shifts his gaze to me, his brows raised in concern, “Damn, two are persistent, aren’t you?” Carter taunts. He continues, “Of course I will. You don’t have to keep asking.” I straighten my posture and nod firmly. “Thank you, Carter.”
“I’ll talk to Sheriff Rhoton. You guys want to grab the beer, and I’ll grab the pizza?” he asks.
“Please get three! You know I love my own pizza,” Jules says as she nudges Carter. “I got you, girl. One large cheese pizza with a garlic parmesan crust. And for Dani, one largeveggie.” I shoot him with my finger guns, eliciting a hearty chuckle from him. “Alright, see you ladies shortly.”
“Bye, Carter!” we call out in unison.
With that, Jules and I get into our cars. I head straight home while Jules goes to pick up some beer.
The drive is short. My mind is a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts, consumed by the vivid image of my mother. I can hardly comprehend the fact that she has been living in this town—right under my nose—all this time. A surge of bitterness rises within me...God, do I hate her.
“Hate is a strong word,” I scream and swerve my car as Adonis’ voice cuts through my tumultuous thoughts, loud and clear. He appears in the passenger seat.
“Shit!” I swerve, “Adonis! You scared the piss out of me!” He looks down between my legs with a playful smirk, “Nah, it doesn’t look like you pissed,” he replies, flashing a charming grin that reveals his perfect teeth.
I laugh and shake my head.
“Did you hear me calling you earlier? In my head?”
I glance at him quickly, noticing the deep furrow in his brow that betrays his confusion. “I didn’t, I’m sorry. Is everything okay?” I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of my words pressing down on me. “No. No, everything is far from okay. I saw my mother—Elaine. She’s the fucking leader of the Keepers of the Mist, and she worships—fucking WORSHIPS—Octavia! And your necklace,” I add, my voice trembling with urgency, “it was pulsating, beating like a frantic heartbeat, so I thought you were nearby, watching.”
“Whoa… that’s a lot to unpack,” he replies, his eyes widening with concern. “First, I’m sorry to hear that. I had no idea. Second, she sounds completely unhinged. And third, I’ve been at home with the guys all day—I didn’t step outside until now…”
“Then why the hell would the necklace be beating?” I exclaim, frustration bubbling within me. “It makes no sense!”
“I don’t know,” he says, his voice softening as he leans closer, his breath warm against my skin. “Maybe it was reacting to the fact that I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” He grips my inner thigh and trails his tongue delicately along the column of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
