Fated Connection (Book 1)

Chapter 19

AUGUST

I watched as Nova led Nevada from the room and up the stairs, Hatter following behind but only after he shot me a lethal glare. I knew he was pissed, had expected as much but he would just have to get over it. I didn't have a choice but to bring them here. There wasn't anywhere else for them to go in such short notice.

At least, that's what I kept telling myself. The look on Nevada's face had ripped through me, worse than I could have imagined. Gods, I had never wanted to see such pain in her eyes for any reason and yet I had been the one to put it there. Why did I continue to hurt her? Why couldn't I just stay away?

"What was she talking about?" Dominic asked as his eyes continued to watch the empty doorway.

I internally cringed, not planning on having such a conversation with so soon after their arrival. I glanced at Alana when I saw her head turn towards me from the corner of my vision. She gave me a knowing look before coming to standing beside Dominic and wrapping her arms around him.

"I'm sure she was just angry that he brought us here," she nodded in my direction. "I'm guessing fang-brain over there didn't say anything about us much less that he would be bringing us back."

"Fang-brain?" I repeated flatly. "Really Lana?"

She smiled sweetly at me as she said, "I felt it was more polite than dickhead, but if you prefer... "

I scowled at her while Dominic laughed.

"Now babe, play nice. August is the reason we aren't currently in a cave remember?" Dominic reprimanded lightly.

"I said it was more polite," she responded with an eye roll. "Normal people consider being polite a nice thing to do."

"You can't be angry at me forever," I told her tiredly, running a hand over my face. "Forever is literal with us, don't forget."

"I'm not angry at you, August, and I never was," she said as she pulled out of Dominic's arms and over to the window. She smirked at me over her shoulder, "You're just an easier target."

I narrowed my eyes and she laughed, turning back to look from the window. After a moment, she sighed and turned back towards us.

"We can't just sit here and do nothing."

"What is it you plan to do right this second?" I couldn't help but ask, earning me a glare.

"We need to prepare, make plans, gear up. Something!" She exclaimed in exasperation. "We're sitting ducks here."

"No, we aren't. This place is well protected," I informed her matter-of-factly. "I've had barriers and protection surrounding this place for centuries. No one has ever gotten in."

"As anyone tried?" She asked, crossing her arms suspiciously.

That was a very valid point. As far as I knew, no one had ever attempted to get to my home. However, my wards could have been so good that they kept completely unwanted people away altogether before they could try.

"My point," she said when I didn't answer. "We need to be ready, all of us."

"They've been training," I interjected, slightly defensive. "Nova has been working with her. He's been her only teacher for years it seems."

"Years?" Dominic asked in surprise. "How long have they been together?"

"Ew, honey, don't say it like that," Alana interrupted with a dramatic gagging sounds.

Dominic scowled, "Don't be a child, you both know what I meant. How long have they known each other?"

"They met in grade school," I answered, sifting through my memories. "They've been inseparable ever since."