“I’m heading out,”I announce, my work bag on my shoulder, my suitcase at my feet.
After the ride with Baba, I need to get out of here. I don’t want to take the chance of that dragon showing up here. My heart has refused to calm down since well before landing back on the ground.
“Why all of a sudden?” Bamba asks. My grandmother had been home when we got here. If I weren’t panicking about everything, I’d have been excited and shared with her how much I’ve missed being in the sky.
“I just need to get to Shiverborn. I was already supposed to be there.” I shrug, rolling my suitcase to the door. If I don’t get out of here ASAP, I’m going toend up freaking out in the worst way possible. I don’t want to do that in front of them, let alone at all.
“We’re supposed to do dinner with your brother and Francie.”
I close my eyes and take a breath to calm my nerves. “I’ll call him from the car.” I don’t look back toward Bamba or in Baba’s direction as I push through the screen door. “Maybe after I finish this article in Shiverborn, I’ll come back and visit again,” I tell them both without looking up.
“That would be lovely,” Bamba remarks as both of them follow me out to the car.
“You’re running away,” Baba grunts, leans against the side of my car, arms crossed.
“Leave her be, Clay,” Bamba murmurs, placing a hand on his arm. “You know the fates will see to her future.” Her eyes come to me. “Whether you like it or not.”
I don’t want to think about what she means by that little comment. I don’t care what the fates deem right for me. I will make my own life for myself. I won’t let them or anyone else declare whatever for me.
Closing the trunk, I move into my grandparents without a word. They’re not going to talk me out of leaving, and I’m not going to hurt their feelings by saying anything. It’s not that I have somethingagainst dragons, because I don’t. I just refuse to become the freak that so many have called me in the past.
“Love you, I’ll call you when I get there.”
“We love you too,” Bamba murmurs and presses a kiss to my cheek.
“You know you’re always gonna be my little girl,” Baba grumbles. “Don’t like you leaving and being away from us.”
He’s always hated me being so far away from them.
“I know, but I’m always careful.”
“If you need me for anything . . .”
“You’ll be the first person I call,” I finish for him.
Pulling from both of them, I round the car and climb in the driver’s seat. I let out a heavy breath as I start the car, put it in gear, and press my foot to the gas.
It’s time to get out of here. Definitely before my brother can catch up with me.
My grandparents don’t live too far from where my brother’s club is located, and I want to put some distance between us before he has a chance to find out what is up with me. Cason has always been able to read me. Just as our grandparents have, only he’s able to dive deeper somehow, and it freaks me out. He knows how to get into my head like no one else.
Okay, that’s a lie, but I refuse to acknowledge how much of a lie it is.
Letting out a shuddered breath, I shake my head and focus on the road. I have a good five-hour drive ahead of me. It’ll definitely take a little longer, though. I still need to stop for gas, get something to eat, and I’m sure I’ll have to stop to use the facilities at some point. I don’t have an endless bladder like some folks do.
My phone rings, and I glance at the car’s screen only to huff in frustration. I hit the ignore button as I don’t have time for UNKNOWN freaking callers.
Knowing I still have to call my brother, I put the call in to him while turning onto the main road, pointing my car in the direction I need to be heading.
Pressing the button on the steering column, I command, “Call Cason.”
“Calling Cason,” the automatic voice repeats.
Thank God for technology. Well, most of it. Some things could be done without, but being hands-free in the car is good for me. I’m not good at texting and driving. Or anything that takes my hands from the wheel except for a quick sip of a drink.
“Where the fuck are you going?” Cason answers, his voice filled with anger. I could imagine his eyes filled with the fire he breathes.
“I’m heading to Shiverborn. I told you I had a jobto do,” I tell him sweetly, hoping he doesn’t hear the truth in the words. I’m running.
