Chapter Five
––––––––
Francesca
––––––––
But wait, maybe I'mlooking at this wrong.Perhaps the reason I was chosen is so outlandish that it will immediately set my reality back on course.Yes.That's it.I truly believe that when I read it, I'll laugh and know instantly it's either a dream or the ultimate prank.I continue reading, anticipating my gotcha moment.But the next line gives me an unsettling feeling.
I used to work for your father.Well, I was an assistant to his PA.(See hit list from before.) I saw you come into the office once.There was something in your eyes that I recognized in mine—a sense that you didn't know where you belonged.Maybe you belong here in Kraukug, with the bloodlords NMAEID, FNRECI, and LBCAE.
If you can't pronounce their names, think of the letters as an anagram and come up with something easier to say.That's how I did it with mine.
If you haven't opened it already, I also left you another box with their clothes.It's the other one wrapped in gift paper featuring those humanoid monsters.I thought it was a funny little touch to it all.
Hope to see you soon.
Love, Jasmine of Kraukug, soulmate of Tristian, Alexander, and Marquis.
What the actual, actual, actual fuck.
This can't be real.I rummage through the array of presents and find the box with the humanoid monsters on it.It's a big box, and it would have to be because inside are three pairs of trousers made from fabric I can't identify and three pairs of boots made from the same material, only a thicker, sturdier version.
I pace my bedroom—well, I try to.My room is enormous, but with three giant trolls lying on my floor, it's like trying to navigate an obstacle course to get from one end to the other.
I wish I had drunk enough champagne for this.
Nope.This is obviously some elaborate prank, and that letter reads like a page out of a fantasy novel.Right?
I open my phone and type in Jasmine Bennet.There's not much.All her socials are set to private.But she's twenty-three years old, and from the few images I can see, she is absolutely gorgeous with her black hair and pretty eyes.
She did indeed work at Rini International, but I can't remember seeing her.The only time I stepped into what was my father's office was a year ago on my birthday.Is that how she knew it was my birthday today?
No.This is all nuts.I'm not falling for it.I'm going to bed.When I wake up, it'll have been a strange dream and nothing more.
I'll get into my car, head to the airport, take my flight to Alaska, and live off-grid for the rest of my life as planned.
But then my arm starts to itch.Am I really losing my mind?Did the hand move?Is it closer to the twelve-hour mark now?
