28. Skyler
Twenty-Eight
Skyler
A methyst’s taste still lingers on my tongue. Kissing her goodbye replays in my mind. Flipping on the blinker to turn into Burrow’s, I notice a silver SUV in my fucking spot. Catching a glimpse of the Burrow’s logo sticker on the rear glass my good mood evaporates. Shouldn’t Maeve be in Vrynthis?
Oh well, it doesn’t matter. This is the perfect time to tell her about the email I received this morning. This new company wants to move forward with hiring me as an auditor. I may as well give her my two-week notice.
Onyx is at the register. Instead of the usual greeting I’d get from him, he just grits his teeth, frowning. I cock a brow, but before I get a chance to ask, Maeve is clearing her throat at the bottom of the office steps. “I see you got my message.” She motions for me to follow her into the office.
Message? I pull out my phone as I step behind the register.
Sure enough, there’s one from Maeve. It doesn’t matter now though, seeing as I’m already here.
Closing the door behind us, I chide, “Go on, then.” Maeve plops down in the chair at my desk like she owns the place then turns her laptop around to face me.
The blood drains from my face as the image freezes me in my tracks.
“Seems you’re quite popular as of last night, Ashford.
” I stare aimlessly at the photo of Amethyst on my lap.
This can’t be happening. Who could have gotten this photo and how?
I need to make sure Amethyst is okay. She tried to prevent this, and I didn’t listen. How fucking selfish.
“It goes without saying that I have to let you go,” Maeve says, emotionless.
“Truly, I didn’t give a shit. But now that this is plastered all over social media, HR is involved.
” Shrugging, I finally find my words. “Guess you don’t need my two-weeks, then.
Just got word this morning another company wants to onboard me. ”
I turn toward the office door, eyeing her over my shoulder. “I tried to do this right, Maeve. I found another job I just… I can’t fucking believe this is happening to Amethyst. It’s all my fault.” Something like pity flashes in her eyes. She opens her mouth, then closes it.
She nods her head, “I agree, whoever took the photo — that’s fucked. I hope you two can figure things out.” Her voice turns vulnerable, “Mates are more important than anything. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry for trying to come between the two of you. I was out of line.”
She doesn’t divulge any other details, but the knowing look we share is enough to imply Maeve once had a mate. Without another word, we offer each other a nod, and I step out of my office at Burrow’s for the last time.
Just as the engine starts, the text tone dings in my pocket. I fish my phone out of my pocket and see Amethyst’s name on the screen. Oh Goddess, does she know? Frantically pulling the text up, numbness settles over my body. No. My eyes must be deceiving me.
Amethyst
It was all a mistake. I can’t do this. I wasn’t over my last relationship and you pushed me into this. I never needed an Angel. Goodbye Skyler.
Once again, I’m not enough.
No. It was real.
She was real.
I can’t accept this. I…
The cracking of my heart causes physical pain.
Tossing my phone to the passenger seat that still fucking smells like her I let my emotions run wild. The sting of disappointment. The jagged blade of hurt tearing into my heart. I settle on the flicker of anger. I grab onto it, fueling it. I need it to overpower the pain and confusion.
I need to feel anything other than this desperate longing for her.
The tires spin out as I leave the parking lot, speeding toward the house. I need a drink. To shift. I need anything to take my mind off of her. The text taunts me; you pushed me into this.
I did, didn’t I? Maybe this is what I fucking deserve. I catch up to a car going just under the speed limit, a growl of frustration leaving me.
With too much traffic to pass, I simmer in my thoughts. Then something sticks out to me. I feel ashamed for not noticing it before.
I wasn’t over my last relationship.
My foot slams the break. The car behind me nearly plows into me as I throw a blinker on at the last second and swerve into an empty field to turn around. A horn blares, but I barely hear it over the adrenaline in my veins.
Amethyst is in trouble.
Pressing the triangle to turn the flashers on, I dart back onto the road. Desperately clicking the buttons on my steering wheel to pull up my call log. I finally find Sage’s contact.
Come on, Sage, pick up. My heart is racing. How could I have been so blind? That message was a cry for help. Goddess, please tell me that my idiotic self-pity didn’t cause Amethyst to pay the price.
“Well, well. Call to tell me about your sleepover?” Sage’s voice comes through the speakers.
“Sage,” I plead, desperate. My tone gets the message across.
“Oh shit, what is it?” I can hear her keys rustling through the phone.
“Amethyst. Something’s wrong. I’m on my way, but I need you too.
” Sirens blare through the speakers, “Where? I’m outside GGs. ”
“Get to Highway 18. We should be there around the same time, and you can follow me.” Neither of us says anything after that.
Just stay on the phone in tense silence.
After a few minutes that feels like an eternity, a car dips to the right, letting me pass.
I see the turn to 18 and Sage sits at the intersection with her blinker on.
“I’m cutting the sirens, don’t want to give our position away.” Smart. I have no idea what we’re speeding to. Trying not to sling rocks, I ease into Amethyst’s driveway. I rush to the door with Sage on my heels. Not bothering to knock, I slide the door open.
“Amethyst?” I call out, fear for her edging my voice.
Nothing. No sounds, no sign of her. We tread further into the house, turning the corner to the living room.
A sound unlike anything I’ve ever produced before rips up my throat.
There, against the wall, lay Amethyst. That fucking vampire drinking from her thigh.
“Ah.” The fucker turns toward us. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.” He stands, wiping the back of his hand across his lips. “Sorry to start without you.”
Red clouds my vision, limbs reshaping. Halfway through the shift, I bunch my muscles preparing to jump. In the same heartbeat Sage yells, “ Shit! ” A strong jab to my ribs knocks me off balance. And as I fall to the side, the bullet whizzes past my ear — straight into Sage’s chest.