Fated Connection (Book 1)

Chapter 21

NEVADA

I was about to open my bedroom door when it burst open, nearly hitting me in the face. Luckily my reflexes had improved during my training sessions and I was able to jump out of the way in time. I was about to snap at whoever had come barging into my room when I saw the look on Nova's face. 

"What's wrong?" I asked, feeling myself instinctively go in alert.

"We need leave. Now!" Nova replied in a panicked as he grabbed my hand.

"Nova, tell me what's wrong?!" I demanded as I let him drag me towards the stairs.

"I can't stay here any longer. I have to go; I have to get away from here." He answered taking the steps two at a time.

"Where? Nova, slow down!" I cried, nearly tripping in his haste.

"Nev, I can't!"

We reached the bottom of the stairs and flew towards the living room, my mind racing as I tried to figure out what was going on. Footsteps pounded on the stairs behind us and I turned my head to look over my shoulder.

"Nova! Wait!" Hatter called, his tone pleasing and his eyes full of pain.

Nova ignored him as he drug me along behind him, headed in the direction of the garage. He yanked a set of keys off the hook by the door and pressed a button on the key fob. The lights on a black sedan blinked, flashing in the darkness of the garage. Nova released my hand and slid into the driver's seat, immediately starting the engine and waiting for the door to open.

He looked at me expectantly, ignoring Hatter's presence altogether as he stood in the doorway looking crestfallen. I knew it probably wasn't a good idea for us to go out on our own, not yet anyway, but there was no way I letting him go along. Nova was my best friend and my half brother, I couldn't leave him alone deal with whatever had caused this impulsive behavior. 

With one last look at Hatter, I climbed in the car. Nova didn't waste any time speeding backwards out of the garage and into the gravel drive and taking off. Gravel pinged off the side of the vehicle as he sped away from August's home, dust quickly clouding behind us.

Night had fallen, the sliver of a moon not allowing much natural light to penetrate the thick trees overhead. I remained quiet, not wanting to distract Nova while he tore through the dark countryside. This was unlike him, his feelings rolling off of him in waves so confusing I struggled to decipher them.

Whatever it was, I was almost glad it had happened. The tension in that house had been nearly suffocating. I had no idea how to deal with the sudden appearance of my birth parents or my instant connection with Alana despite the pain she had caused me. I couldn't face August, not after everything that had happened between us on top of the chaotic events of today.

How could I? What do you say to someone that had their head between your legs one minute, gone the next, and then shows up after days with your long lost parents? That's not normal behavior for a person, even a vampire as far as I knew. 

I pulled myself away from my thoughts when I felt the vibration of the car smooth out as we turned out onto the highway. I bit my lip, unsure of how to approach the situation without upsetting Nova even more. Finally, I took a deep breath and just jumped in.

"So… Do you plan on telling me what happened back there?" I ask cautiously. "And don't bother saying 'nothing' because I'm not an idiot."

Nova heaved a deep sigh but said nothing. He was quiet for so long I wasn't sure he was even going to answer. I was about to let it drop until I heard his voice quiet yet loud in the silence of the car.