Fate's Exchange (Twisted Fate, Book 1)

Chapter Fifty-Five

"David?" I called out, my voice echoing in my dream as empty as the drum of my heart in my chest. Every time I fell asleep, I came here, the place between life and death, and not once had he appeared to me again. But that hadn't stopped me from getting my hopes up, or from calling for David.

Sometimes I thought I heard him answering me, but a voice in my head didn't soothe the ache his death had left behind. It meant nothing, really, except that I might be going crazy. Considering that's how I felt whenever I talked to the voice, it was kind of fitting. You know, in the I-am-a-nut-but-at-least-I-am-consistent kind of way. Plus, you aren't crazy until someone else verifies it, right?

I wasn't telling a soul about this.

"David?" I called again, louder, and turned a full circle with my hands fisting my hair. "Look, if you're here, speak. Talk to me or stop bringing me here. And don't tell me it isn't you doing this because I know I can't do it—I tried after you died."

Silence.

Turning in a circle, I said, "Fine! I'm going to wake up now, and the next time I go to sleep, you'll stay out of my damn head. Because seriously? You told me to live, and I can't move on and do that—" I sighed, dropping my hands to my side as I lowered my voice "—if I'm brought here every night."

Squeezing my eyes shut against the light, I pictured my bedroom in my mind: the warmth of my blankets, the security, and how everything had its place—neat and tidy, and predictable so long as my mother stayed clear on laundry day. I knew I loved David—every breath without him was hard—but I couldn't live like this. Every time I went to bed, I expected to see him, and every time he didn't show, I woke feeling as though I'd just lost him all over again.

"Goodbye," I whispered, and started to feel the pull back to reality.

"Don't leave."

Turning, I opened my eyes and blinked, pushing against the lure taking me from the dream. I held my breath in fear that he would disappear, but he was right here. I could see him, just as I remembered.

Solid.

Alive.

David.

I took a hesitant step forward, and then paused, the thrill of his appearance overwhelmed by my irritation. "Where the hell have you been?" Taking another step, I stopped again, lifting my head to stick my chin in the air and glare at him. "Why did you wait to show yourself after bringing me here every night? Do you know how I've felt? You died!"

He smiled and hung his head. "You're mad at me."

I ran over to him and threw my arms around his neck at the same time as I jumped up, wrapping my legs around his waist. His hands found my hips, holding me close, and kept us both from toppling off balance. His arms, his face, his hair—even the scar along his jaw. I touched every inch of him from the waist up to make sure he was unchanged.

"So you aren't mad?" He looked down at me with hooded eyes and smiled, and I felt warmth flow throughout my entire body.

"Shut up."

My hands framed his face to pull him near, and I kissed him. I couldn't let go. It all felt so real I never wanted to wake up. I pulled away to catch my breath and rested my forehead against his.

"Alyssa—"

"Shht," I whispered. "Just don't talk. Please."

"I'm sorry." He looked behind him and then to me but kept a distance. "We don't have a lot of time, Alyssa."

Opening my mouth to speak, no sound came out. I blinked, not understanding what the hell he meant, and a gong sounded in the distance. Jumping down, I took a step back, shaking my head, and turned in a circle. What the hell was his problem? He died and came to me, and now he was saying we had to hurry? Seriously? Turning back to him, I took a step and slapped his chest. "Why?"