Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Turning my head to Alchera, I ask, “What are your plans for after school?”
She shrugs as she takes the required textbook from her bag. “Nothing. Why?”
“Want to show me around town?”
Please say yes.
My eyes are glued to her face as I watch her contemplate my question, then she replies, “There’s not much to show you. At least, not in town.” She sucks in a deep breath, then adds, “But I can take you to a waterfall just outside of town. That’s if you’re okay with hiking a short distance.”
A smile spreads over my face. “I’m okay with hiking.”
The corner of her mouth starts to lift into a smile, but then the teacher comes in, and Alchera focuses on the lesson.
Seeing as we’ll leave Earth in the next three weeks, I don’t pay any attention to what’s being taught.
Glancing to the side, I watch as Alchera opens her sketchpad, and every now and then, she adds something to the picture.
When I first saw the sketch of the Virtutes Falls, I thought the spell Janak and Aster cast over her had worn off, and her memories had returned. But hearing she dreamed about it causes me to worry because it means her visions might’ve started already.
We’re not close enough for me to ask her if that’s the case, and if she hasn’t had any visions, she’ll think I’m insane.
My eyes lock on the man in the pool of the Virtutes Falls. She’s drawn me to a T without the elixir’s glamor that makes me look human.
It has to be from a vision. She’s seen me coming.
Maybe I should just grab her and forcefully take her back to Vaalbara.
No. Be patient and gentle.
I’m bored out of my mind as we attend the remaining classes for the day, and by the time the final bell rings, relief fills my veins.
“Finally,” Alchera sighs. “Let’s get out of here.”
When we get up from our seats, I take hold of her bag and shrug it over my shoulder. “I’ll carry it.”
She gives me an incredulous look but doesn’t say anything as we step out into the aisle and head to the door.
The instant we walk into the hallway, a girl says, “Jane, do you want a ride home?”
“I’m going to hang out with Ryan,” Alchera answers. “I’ll see you later.”
“Oh,” the girl replies, looking shell-shocked. “Ahh…Okay. Have fun.”
We head down the hallway, and once we’re out of hearing distance from the girl, Alchera says, “That’s Molly. She’s my adoptive sister.”
I only nod, and when we leave the building, I gesture in the direction of my truck. “I’m parked over there.”
I can feel a nervous energy coming from Alchera when we reach the truck, and glancing at her, I see her features are tense with an anxious expression.
“You okay?” I ask.
“Yeah.” She lets out an awkward-sounding chuckle. “It’s not every day I get into a truck with a guy I barely know. Maybe we should put off going to the waterfall?”
“You told Molly you’re spending time with me. If anything happens, I’m the first person they’re going to suspect.”
“True.”
I open the passenger door and nod to the seat. “The choice is yours.”
Alchera hesitates, and her eyes flit to my face before she glances over her shoulder at the other students who are watching us. The next second, she climbs into my truck, and I let out a relieved breath.
Thanks be to Awo.
I place her bag in the back of the truck before getting into the cab, and when I start the engine, I smile at her. “Thanks for not changing your mind.”
“Just don’t kill me, and we’re good,” she teases.
“You’re safe with me,” I promise.
There’s nowhere you’re safer than by my side.
“The waterfall is just off the road you took yesterday.”
“When you ducked into the bushes?” I ask.
“You saw that?” she gasps, a blush forming on her neck and cheeks.
Chuckling, I nod.
“God,” she groans. “Not embarrassing at all.” She’s quiet for a moment, then asks, “What were you doing out there?”
“Just looking for some peace and quiet.”
“Then you’ll love Fish Creek Falls.” She smiles, and it feels like the sun is shining on me.
Before thinking it through, I comment. “You have a beautiful smile.”
Instantly, she looks awkward again and glances out the window while murmuring. “Thanks.”
With every mile I drive, the air grows tenser, and as I turn up the road that leads to the spot where I can park the truck, Alchera asks, “Did you mean it when you said you want to be friends?”
“Yes.” I glance at her before turning my attention back to the road.
“So you’re not going to try anything?”
Not sure what she means, I ask, “Try what?”
I steer the truck off the road, and finding the spot by the trees, I bring the vehicle to a standstill.
“You’re not going to try…” she pauses, and when I look at her, her cheeks are flushed pink, “your luck.”