Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Fifty-One

I slept without dreaming. The sun warmed my face and pulled me from my sleep. I tried fighting it, relishing the fact that I finally felt rested, and I wanted more until I could be completely rejuvenated. Like a fresh start.

It was no use.

The sun was too hot and I was awake enough thinking about sleep that I couldn't fall back into it.

Slowly, I opened my eyes and blinked until I adjusted to the light. I rolled onto my back and stretched my arms over my head. My eyes widened as I stared at the ceiling. A moment of silence passed, hollowing my entire body. Just for a moment, I felt fear, and then I jerked into flight mode.

I sat up, my palms slapping the comforter on either side of me, the comforter bunching at my waist. I turned my head and looked around the room, confused. My gaze settled on the wall of glass allowing the natural light in.

Air escaped my lungs and the feeling returned.

I was in my old suite in the Manor.

I fell asleep in Devland's car.

My shoulders slumped. If I felt this rested, I must have slept for a while. Had Devland carried me? A quick look down confirmed nobody had changed me into something to sleep in, which was a positive. I stared at the door leading to the sitting room as the conversation with Devland came back.

Luna and Mr. Corbin were taken by the Council.

Devland wanted me to intern with him...

I threw the covers off and got to my feet and grabbed my keys from the bedside table. Even before I was standing, I patted my pockets and pulled out my phone. The notification screen blinked to life with a tap of my finger. A heaviness landed in my stomach to see it was 10:12—in the morning. A whole evening and night had passed, which explained the multiple texts and missed calls from Calin. To them, I'd been gone for nearly 24 hours—just about 36 since I'd seen them last.

Quickly, I texted I was safe. Crossing the room, I slid my phone into my back pocket. I was happy I slept—I nearly agreed to work with Devland!—but felt bad making Zach and Calin worry. Still... Devland brought me to the Manor and I avoided having to explain Calin wasn't at the Malloy's or finding a reason for Devland not to come into the Fallamhain home when dropping me off. The fact that he carried me in made both moot—I couldn't have pretended to go to the Malloy's and walk back, and I doubt he would have put me to bed in an aisle between bookshelves on the first floor. Despite whatever ulterior motive he had for bringing me here, I was at least grateful for that.

Now, I had to leave.

I exited my suite and ran down the stairs, intent on running to Celestial Java to get my car, go shower, and head back to the Kingdom. On the upside, my text didn't receive a response, so I hoped that meant Calin wasn't getting reception because he was still in the Kingdom. I didn't want to bet on that—it simply made me feel less guilty—and wanted to hurry. It didn't matter if I was rushing or worrying. Both distracted me from what happened and the conversation waiting for me to have with Zach. From what I could tell, she was his only friend.

Opening the door, I paused.

A moment later, I rushed down the steps and let the weight of the door slam closed on its own. I rounded the hood of my vehicle, more thankful it was here to make my journey faster in the heat than worried it came with some sort of catch or GPS Devland rigged while I was sleeping. Did I care if I was followed? Yes. Did it actually matter? Not even a little. I couldn't drive to the Kingdom and give it away and Devland couldn't see the second floor of the Fallamhain home.

Getting in, I buckled my seatbelt while simultaneously starting the vehicle. Pulling away, I sped down the driveway. The gate was already opened. I barely slowed as I turned onto the road, my heart pounding as an echo in my head without the music playing in the car. I gripped and re-gripped the steering wheel.