Fate's Demand (Twisted Fate, Book 3)

Chapter Eleven

Why didn't I ask for an explanation in exchange for going with Gabe, Mike, and Raffy?

For ten minutes, I sat in the same position. Keeping my head bent to my knees, I berated myself for negotiating momentary wants instead of figuring out the bigger picture. The lectures my mother gave over the years came to mind, making me want to smack myself for ignoring her advice and not even realizing it. How hard was it to grab Suzie's hand when it was time to leave? All I had had to do in order to be able to go to grad was stall until it was over. Eventually, I would have figured out how to help my mom on my own.

Every single one of my demands was nothing to them. I'd wasted my only leverage for getting answers. Now what was I going to do? Sit here, feeling like a sore loser? No. Standing, I brushed off the seat of my pants and tucked my hair behind my ear. I wiped under my eyes and lifted my chin, and then exited the room without glancing in the mirror so that the purpose I'd gained wouldn't falter.

It was too late to change the terms, so I was going to enjoy it. See my mom, graduate, and then party like it was the last chance I would get. For one night, nothing else mattered, but tomorrow... Well, I was stubborn enough to transfer my anger to get the answers I wanted.

I didn't slow down, look up, or even speak as I passed Mike waiting outside the door with my cap and gown in hand. There was barely enough time to change and take pictures with my parents, let alone reunite with my mother and the inevitable touch-up after tears ruined our make-up. Mike would have to wait for an explanation. I really wanted to give him a what-for, especially since I was hoping he could tell me what just happened with his twin. How did a shadow create an image of an angel? Why did it want me dead if it couldn't have me?

Why did the lingering shiver of its icy caress still make me feel as though I'd just been violated?

"Where are you going, Aly?" Mike asked, catching up and keeping pace beside me as he tried to clasp my arm.

How am I so stupid? When the real Mike touched me, I felt so warm, it didn't even compare.

"I want to see my mother," I said and kept my eyes forward. There was nothing he could say or do to stop me from finding her to make sure with my own eyes that she was here. That she was okay and aware and speaking in coherent sentences, without Darkness or any memory of what she'd suffered because of me. There'd be no blame, though the guilt would stay with me forever.

"She's fine," he said and reached for me again, finally slowing me down. "She's with your dad. Now tell me what spooked you."

Okay, so maybe his plaintiff, you're-killing-me-with-worry tone could make me pause—for a moment. I stopped and looked up at him. "It's—I'll tell you later, okay? I promise."

"Aly—"

I stopped walking and turned to him. "Please, Mike. Just let me go find my mom and make sure she's okay before you pepper me with questions." I took a step back and he dropped his hand from my arm. "Does she remember what happened?"

"No," he said, "but if she ever experiences something similar, she will."

The breath I was holding exhaled and I nodded. I didn't understand but the details, along with everything else, could be discovered later. "Thank you."

"Aly?" he asked as I started to turn away.

"Yeah?"

"We talk right after the ceremony. I will haul you away over my shoulder and make you give me answers if I have to."

"Ah, the romance." I rolled my eyes and forgot my anger for a second as I laughed but sobered as his gaze narrowed. I was happy he couldn't see my smile as I walked away. "Fine."