Story of my life

Chapter seven

"Will she be okay?" A familiar voice asked.

"Well, there's proof that she has been severly injured." A voice I recognized as Stevie's said. "Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Cato."

A surge of relief flooded through me, he was safe. "Bella has been through a lot, and until I figure out exactly what has happened to her, I think it would be best if you stayed away from her."

"What?" Cato started to protest, but Stevie cut him off,

"Cato, I think she's been..." She paused,

"You think she's been what?"

"She's suffered traumatic damage, Cato." I heard Cato let out a long breath,

"What? How? I mean... She was only with Anubis" he waited as if Stevie would disagree with him, "I mean he's a god. How could he?"

"You forget, Cato, Anubis is also Liam."

I sighed. Instantly, Stevie was there. "Bella, Bella? Are you okay?" I bit my lip and glanced over at Cato. Stevie understood immediately, "Cato. Out, now."

He looked like he was about to protest, but she silenced him with a glare.

When he left, she turned back to me. She reached down to hug me, but I flinched away from her. She tried to hide the look of pain that flashed across her face, but I'd already seen it.

"I'm sorry, Stevie I-" I faltered, but she just shook her head.

"I get it, Bells... Do you want to... talk about it?"

I had a brief flashback of Anubis pressing his cold body against mine, and I shook my head. I glanced down, twisting the sheets between my fingers. My eyes widened, and I felt at my neck. The necklace was still there.

"Stevie... I need you to take this off."

Stevie shook her head, "I already tried. It would tighten and choke you every time I tried. I'm sorry."

I closed my eyes, how had Anubis put it? "It's serrated with demon poison" I told her, "And there is only one person I know who can tell me if it can be reversed."

Stevie looked at me in shock, "You don't mean-?"

"Luke" I confirmed, "We need to find him."

"But... I thought he was dead."

"Maybe," I replied, "but I seriously doubt it. Anubis isn't exactly known for... killing." I pushed the sheets away, swinging my legs over the side of the bed.

"I wouldn't" Stevie warned, but I ignored her. I forced myself to stand, and would have promptly collapsed if Stevie hadn't caught me and eased me into a nearby chair.

"I have to get out of here" I murmured. Any second now I was sure that Anubis would come running in and reclaim me.

"Bella, you're in no shape to be going anywhere."

I glanced over at her, "No Stevie, you don't understand. I'm tied to him now, if he finds me and anyone else is with me, he won't hesitate to get rid of them. Stevie... This necklace. If he finds me again, I won't be able to resist him."

Stevie stared at me in shock, "You mean he can-?"

I nodded, "Somehow it influences my emotions. The more I resist, the stronger it becomes."

"Oh. My gods, can't we catch just one break?" She threw her hands up.

"Stevie I have to get out of here, I have to find Luke. Its my only chance."

"You're not going alone."

"Stevie I-"

"No!" she screamed at me, then in a quieter voice- "No, its too dangerous. Anubis will most likely have the worst demons tracking you. Cato will go with you."

I stared at her, exasperated, "Are you crazy?"

"No. He's the most motivated."

"Fine. I'm leaving at first light, tell him to be ready by then."

She nodded and turned to leave. "Ok, and Bella?" she looked back at me over her shoulder, "If I catch you trying to escape, I will chain you to your bed. Got it?"

I rolled my eyes and nodded. It didn't matter anyway, as soon as we were clear of the camp I would just give Cato the slip. There was no way I was letting anyone put themselves in danger because of me ever again.