I nod sadly.
“Although serial killer dating is taking it to a whole new level of assholism.” She accentuates her point with a raised brow.
I smirk and cover my face with my hands. “Do you believe this shit?” I murmur.
She shakes her head. “No. Actually, I don’t. On the upside, you do get to come to soccer practice tonight.”
I look at her. “Oh… goody. It’s so worth it. I can’t wait.”
* * *
The week has been long, and to tell you truth, I don’t remember much of it. It’s all a blur. Meeting with the police over the stolen art and lying to their faces while I stared into space. Pretending to work while I stared into space. Pretending to be alive when I am clearly half dead, and I haven’t let on to anybody that I know who stole the art. The only thing that has brought a smile to my face was when I received a delivery and I thought that it was Alastar with an explanation. A large box was delivered. I was so excited and ripped it open, only to be disappointed when just my drawing pad and the letters from Alchron to his princess were inside. Why would he send me just those things? I want answers, not my fucking belongings. Brielle’s trying to cheer me up and I’m going out of my mind by replaying my last conversation with Alastar.
You need to work this out for yourself.
What did he mean by that?
What would I possibly have to work out?
I didn’t go to the police. I lied to Brielle and told her I called them, but I couldn’t go through with it. I dialed their number a few times only to hang up every time they answered. I can’t send him to prison and I’m scared I am putting my life in danger by doing so.
What choice do I have? How do you turn on someone you are desperately in love with? If I knew for sure he wasn’t dangerous, I would be back in his arms and stealing the art right alongside of him in an instant.
I’m losing it, I know.
It’s Friday night and I am with my work friends at a pub in my usual zombie state. We are playing trivia and are seated in low seats surrounding an open fire. As I stare into the open flame, I can almost feel Alastar’s warm arms wrapped around me from behind, his gentle loving kisses on my face, and his hard body slotted up next to mine. For the rest of my life, I don’t think I will ever be able to sit next to a fire and not think of him and the precious time we spent together. My work friends have been a blessing this week, as if sensing my fragility. They have all been super attentive and funny. I appreciate every single moment of their time.
The question gets called out. “Who is the artist that sang Tainted Love.”
“Oh God.” Deidre pats her forehead. “I know this.” Everyone starts whispering with their suggestions.
“I think it’s Soft Cell,” I murmur.
“Is it?” Travis asks as he quickly Googles Soft Cell.
I continue to doodle on my paper.
“Yes,” he whispers. “She’s got it. That’s it.”
We have a few more rounds and are appalling; we are all fighting over the answers we are giving.
“Have you been there?” Travis asks me from his seat next to me on the lounge.
I frown as I look up. “Where?”
He points to my doodle on my paper with his pen. “Ashford Castle.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
He points to my doodle again. “That’s the family crest for Ashford Castle you are drawing.”
What?
I frown. “Are you sure?”
He shrugs and starts typing in his phone. “Looks like it to me.”
What the fuck? I have been drawing this shield since I arrived in London, long before I went to Ashford Castle.
“Yep, that’s it. I thought it was.” Travis smiles proudly. He shows me his phone and, sure enough, the exact symbol I have been drawing is the family crest. Goosebumps scatter up my arms and the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. Holy shit. What’s going on?
I sit back in my chair in shock. I don’t get it.
How could I know that?
What does this mean?
I need to go. I quickly look around for an exit. “I got to go, guys,” I croak as I feel my world begin to spin. My heart is beating so fast, I feel like I may go into cardiac arrest at any moment.
“Oh, fuck off. Sit back down,” they all cry.
“No, really. I’ve got to go.” I hand my trivia card over to Deirdre. “Here, you finish for me.”
I turn around in a daze and start to stumble from the pub.
What the hell is going on?
Chapter 25