Maybe, probably.

Chapter 20: Asher

She shut me out.

She shut me out.

I have to get in there. I need to apologize and explain—but before I could do anything, Andre grabbed my arm, pulling me back from that edge where I was about to unleash my power on her shield (which is impressive itself, considering I never taught her to control it yet) and shatter it.

His eyes were wild, his own power probably thrashing to be let out as well, demanding to fight with Quinn's.

"NO." He snapped, bringing my attention back onto my friends and not Quinn alone with that insane man. I hissed and yanked my arm from his grasp.

I looked back at the bubble that held them two. I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"We wait until they come out on their own." Vi cut in, still leaning against Xander. "I know you want to jump in and get her, Ash, but she can handle herself. She needs time to figure out what she wants. And that power of hers..." She gazed at her once injured arm finally healed and bit her lip.

Xander's jaw clenched. Yet I knew he wasn't mad at Quinn. I think she reminds him of himself a year or two ago. I think we could all say the same. That uncontrollable, reckless energy that flows through us and how much we regret we had it at all.

Quinn doesn't deserve this life. She deserves to have a normal high school experience before heading into college, then her career and marriage and children...she never asked this broken path.

But it doesn't look like she's getting out of
It anytime soon.

I tried to ease the tension rising in my body but the more I watched Quinn and our boss talk in there, the more I wanted to roar.

Just as we all relaxed a bit, the shield fell down. Quinn rose from the ground, face as cold as stone. The boss just watched her with kind and tender eyes.

It made me sick. I've never seen him look like that. But I guess it would make sense...

Considering that she is his daughter.

I stepped forward, hesitant to provoke her with her deadly power still unstable. But more than that, I was afraid she'd throw me out of her life completely.

What did you expect, Asher? You were finally be able to leave and stop hurting people until you met Quinn.

Then none of that seemed to matter at all.

Quinn turned to us four and nodded. "I forgive you. I get that it wasn't your secret to tell," she didn't quite meet my eyes.

The boss wouldn't take his eyes off his daughter. Then Quinn met his eyes. "I will never forgive you."

The air seemed to pause.

I held my breath as Quinn clenched her fists. "You left me. You left me and my mother to take care of ourselves. No money, no where to go but a small diner with Gram."

He just watched her rant with a calm and open demeanor. "Quinn. Did your mother—"

She growled in his face, "DO NOT EVEN MENTION MY MOTHER. She protected me my entire life, put clothes on my back and food on the table. You do NOT get to speak her name." She huffed, a sure sign she was trying to calm down and breathe. "I will stay here for one reason: to learn to control what I've been cursed with."

Our boss's jaw clenched, the only sign of his irritation. He never let emotion show. But with Quinn...It was easy. She made you want to open up. Very approachable, this girl.

She looked him directly in the eyes. "Do not mistake me staying here as a sign that I want to mend the bond between us. Because its not," She laughed coldly, flicking her eyes up and down his person, "I don't care what you think my mother did..."

She looked terrified for a split second and it made me lurch out toward her slightly. "We made a deal. And I'll stick to my end of the bargain," Quinn breathed out, steadying herself before saying, "and you'll hold to yours."

Her eyes hardened again. "Or else."

I don't think I was breathing.

What 'deal'...? What did she promise him?!

The boss nodded grimly and I glanced at my friends. They shrugged, not knowing anymore than I did about this "bargain."

She looked at me finally, unspoken words passing between us, a temporary truce before we could be alone to talk.

"So it's official. I'll be staying here."

A voice spoke from the tree line. "The heck you are."

Quinn and the rest of us whipped around, the boss turning white with shock.

A woman was standing beside Gram, who was looking unsteady and more worried than I'd ever seen her, tapping her foot on the ground, ready to pounce.

Quinn gasped.

"MOM!?"

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Thanks for reading! Sorry for the random posting schedule. 😅 I'm trying to get back to posting every week. Thank you for your patience.

XOXO
WriterGirl❤️