* * * *
Just as I hoped, I am right back at Hollie’s truck. Ah—you rock, Hols. You never steer me wrong.
Laughing at my own horrible pun, I dig my gloves out of my purse and put them on. Oddly, even though it’s dark out, I can see by the light of the waning moon as well as if it was the sun. And not much of the moon is left, seeing as the new one is due soon.
I put on the gloves and walk to the driver side door. As I open it, I pray the car will start. If it doesn’t, I’m not sure what I’ll do.
Climbing in, I sit back and relax, the smell of my friend overpowering my senses. I am breathing again. I take large gulps of air just to smell the nostalgia.
Hell, I have to do what I need and get back to Zoë and Landon. I can’t handle this not-breathing-well crap. Maybe I should get an inhaler or something.
I have to laugh at myself for real now. A heroine who needs an inhaler. What kind of image would that be?!
The keys are still in the ignition from when the truck died earlier. I cautiously reach for them and put my foot on the clutch. I push down with my foot and turn the key and … the car actually starts. On the first try—I did not expect that. Silently, I offer pure thoughts to the gods.
Now I need to figure out where to go from here. Who am I supposed to find?
I guess I should call Hollie to see if she has heard from Olivia or Preston. I need to make sure they are all right. And then I have to find Donovan. Or at least find out where he is and that he isn’t causing any problems.
Flipping the car around and going back toward the way I came, or at least where I think I came from since I have no fracking clue where I am, I grab my phone and call Hollie.
She answers on the first ring. “Hey hon. You freaking out about having to see Blake?”
I say nothing, wondering what she’s talking about.
“I know you don’t want to, but it’s something you just have to get over with, sweets.”
I scrunch my eyebrows, hyper aware of how strange the skin in between them feels. “What do you mean? I’ve been gone for hours with some other faeries I met. I’ve been hanging out with them, trying to figure out what’s going on. I left Blake forever ago…”
As soon as the words leave my mouth it hits me that, in the human realm, I probably have just left. Maybe only a half of an hour ago. It’s the time difference Zoë spoke of.
“What are you talking about?” Hollie asks, concern in her voice. “You just left my house not that long ago…”
“Never mind,” I say with a wave of my hand, which causes the car to veer, which is just my luck. “Shit. I don’t have anything together here.” I grip the wheel again and rest my phone between my cheek and shoulder.
“You wouldn’t believe the differences I’ve noticed today. Like the time, for example. It’s a total realm thing. Time is faster in Avalon than it is here. I’m not sure exactly yet, but I think even days can pass there and it would only be a few hours here.”
I think of something then, though. “But as much as that makes sense, it doesn’t. When I left Blake’s it was no darker than when I left your house; actually, it was lighter. Which is beyond weird in itself. Why didn’t I notice the change then? And if, when I went into Avalon through the forest, no time passed here, why is it so dang dark now?”
“Girl, you’re scaring me. It’s been dark for a while now. It was getting late when you left. A lot has happened today—we spent forever just at my house with Bon, remember?”
“Huh, it was dark? I guess Zoë was right. I’m just seeing things differently. I wonder what would make me see it as light here when it was really dark. I know it was dusk, but it was light light with Donovan—just like I was saying to Zoë … but now her explanation doesn’t make any sense.” I ponder this for a second, with Hollie just as silent on the other end.
“All I can come up with is that Donovan had some control over it. And maybe I did, too. If it had been dark, I wouldn’t have been able to see what he is really like when we fought. Ah, hell. Who cares? I have bigger things to worry about than what freaking time of day it is.”
I shift into fifth gear and speed up, just wanting to get wherever it is I am going. The air is thick, making my mind fuzzy.
“All right then…” Hollie replies. “I’m not sure what’s going on but I hope you have it all under control. I really would help if I could, I hope you know that, but I just don’t think it’s my place right now. Especially if you’re fighting with Andrew again. I mean Donovan. Oh that’s so weird. The whole situation scares the piss out of me, to tell you the truth.”
I sigh and it feels unnatural. Breathing is such a task. “It’s fine, sweets. You don’t need to worry. And I can do this without your help. I’m just kind of freaking out a bit. Sorry to scare you.”
“Like I said, it’s all right. As long as it’s all under control. If you need anything simple, let me know. I’ll be home painting tonight.”
“Yes! I know where I am.” I turn off the road I’m on and head toward town, following a line of familiar-looking houses.
“Listen, I have to go figure out where Donovan went, but there’s something I do need from you. Have you talked to Olivia since I left?”
“Yeah, just for a second. I hung up with her right before you called. She wanted me to go out with her and Preston, plus a few other people tonight. But like I said, I’m staying in. I have a lot to process, just like you.”
“Awesome, that’s definitely what I wanted to hear.”
I pause, swallowing down a lump. I feel my eyes wanting to start crying. But I am not about to let them. I focus on what I need to do, and say.
“Hols, I really, really am sorry for how I’m acting. I know this is so super weird and I’m probably not making it any easier for you. Hell, it’s hard enough for me so I know I have to be freaking you out. But can I ask you to do me one more simple favor? Something that will help make this safer and more normal?”
“Sure, anything for you. And anything to bring some normalcy back.”
“Can you make sure to call Olivia—keep in touch with her and make sure she’s doing OK? To the point of being annoying … but not enough to piss her off? And if she ever doesn’t answer, call me right away. Like, seriously, immediately. Please.”
“Of course. I’m probably gonna be talking to her for a bit while you get all your stuff taken care of anyway. I don’t deal well with being alone.”
“I know… Me neither. I’m so used to having you there for everything. But it’s probably best if we stay apart, at least for a few days or something until I calm down and come up with a plan. Plus, like you said, you need to process.”
“You’re right. I know you are. It just sucks, is all.” Hollie makes no attempt to hide the pain and loneliness in her voice.
I turn off again onto another street—something tells me to and I am learning to follow these kinds of instincts—and I find myself back in Blake’s neighborhood. Blinking through tears that magically appear without my permission, I keep my eyes peeled for Donovan. But all I can see are fae walking down the street, all of them glowing without the aid of streetlights which are severely lacking out here. Which makes me wonder what these faeries are doing out in this neighborhood. But it’s none of my concern.
I feel just as lonely and lost as Hollie does and I want her to know she’s not alone. “I know, it really sucks. But also know that I love you and it’s all gonna be fine. Promise me you’ll keep yourself safe. Just school and home. The same, basic, boring life we’ve always led. I couldn’t take it if anything happened to you—and you’re probably first on Donovan’s list as far as someone to hurt to get to me.”
“Thanks for the cheery call,” Hollie laughs nervously. “And I thought you were supposed to be my best friend.”
“Sweetie, you know I am. That’s why I’m telling you this. Just watch out for yourself and keep an eye on Olivia. I’ll do all I can to make sure you’re safe. I don’t want you to worry; just to
be careful.”
“I can do that. I am half-fae myself, so I’m sure I have more strength than we know. But I don’t want to have to test it if at all possible… Keep yourself in one piece too.”
“I will,” I promise. “I love you, Hols.”
“Love you too.”
I hang up the phone and toss it in my bag, focusing on my surroundings and my breathing. I roll the window down all the way now that it won’t interfere with my phone call, and I lean over a little to let the air wash over my face, blowing my hair. It doesn’t help as much as I hoped, but it’s better than nothing. I am getting more oxygen than I was, at least.
And now that I know my friends are safe, I can concentrate on the task at hand. It doesn’t take long to get out of the country at the rate I am driving, and pretty soon I find myself close to downtown.
“Well, Kellyn,” I say aloud to myself, smiling at how right it feels to use that name rather than Alexis. “I suppose the best way to find out anything is to get out and ask some people. And maybe find the bad guy.” Or maybe avoid him since I don’t have a clue how to fight him yet…
With this thought, I spot a few open spaces on the side of the street and I parallel park, not knowing what to expect but hoping for the best.