The Hunter Beside Me

12: Fate

Bash

Owen stared at me, eyebrows raised, waiting for a response, but I didn't know what to say. I sat there with my mouth hanging open and Vidisha pressed against my arm, sleeping. The scent of coconut filled my head, and I didn't want to move.

We'd agreed on this plan. Let Lilla rest, and change Vidisha's memory in the morning. It was morning, and Lilla was ready. So why did it feel wrong?

This would be the best thing for Vidisha. She'd be on her way to visit her family with no memory of being attacked. She'd forget about monsters, and that was good. I didn't want her to live with that fear. Nolan was happy with Lauren right now. If he'd remembered, he wouldn't be the same.

But Vidisha would forget me, too. If we saw each other one day when this was over, she wouldn't even recognize me. She wouldn't remember the time we've spent together or this easy connection we shared. Everything about her felt so right and she wouldn't know me at all.

My chest tightened. It was only one night, but I liked her a lot. Even if I never got to see her again, I wouldn't forget her. I didn't want to.

"Bash? What's the problem?" Owen asked.

I studied the way her fingers wrapped around my forearm—golden skin with bright red nails against my tan. "I don't want her to forget everything."

Owen shook his head. "What are you talking about, man? She's cute, I like her, but—"

I scoffed, cutting off whatever he was going to say, and she stirred, cuddling against my shoulder. I waited until I was sure she was asleep and said, "It's not about her being cute."

"Well then, what is it? She'd be in danger with us. We can't have extra people hanging around like bait."

"I don't want her here. She needs to go visit her family where she'll be safe."

Lilla leaned forward with a frown. "What if she tells someone? It'd cause problems for her and us."

"She wouldn't tell anyone if we asked her not to."

Owen looked at me like I was an idiot. "You don't know that. You just met her."

"I do know. She didn't lose it when I told her everything, and she's smart. She'd understand why she can't say anything."

Owen opened his mouth to argue, but Lilla cut him off. "We should ask her. Explain what I can do and let her decide."

Lilla was right. Nodding, I said, "It should be up to Vidisha. If she doesn't want to remember, she shouldn't have to."

Before they could reply, Vidisha shifted, gazing up at me with a sleepy smirk. "I'm glad you think this decision should involve me. I was wondering if anyone would consider that."

My mouth fell open as I scanned Lilla and Owen. They were just as surprised as me that Vidisha was awake.

She shrugged. "I'm a light sleeper."

I thought through our conversation, searching for anything I shouldn't have said. I didn't think I had, but my cheeks grew warm under her gaze. "We should've asked you to begin with, instead of talking about you. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You said I'm cute and smart, I'll allow that kind of talk." She grinned. "I wouldn't tell anyone. Who'd believe me, anyway? People would think I was crazy."

Owen looked at me as though it was my decision, but I wanted Vidisha to understand her choice. "You don't have to remember mimics if you don't want to. That's what we were talking about."