“No. I didn’t give them any information about you because I wanted to let you decide what to do,” I said cautiously. I didn’t want to sway her decision about meeting the man who claimed to be her brother. I could take it or leave it, but I understood the desire to know where you came from.
She nodded and sniffled. “Good. But—” she blinked. “Ginata. She knows. How?”
Elvie and I both shook our heads and shrugged. “We don’t know. She won’t talk to us. I think it’s best we just leave and get as far away from here as we can.”
Scout nodded again. “Yeah, okay. Tonight?” She glanced at the dark curtains. It was morning now. We would have to wait to leave. I stood and went to her. I tried to embrace her, but she turned away, crossing her arms.
Ludovica stood then. “I’ll see you both in the evening. We’ll formulate a plan to get you away safely then.” She left without another word.
Scout finally collapsed, and I was prepared to comfort her as she cried, but she didn’t. I stood beside her until she got up.
“I’m tired. I should probably sleep.”
“Yeah, let’s go.” I motioned to the bed. I raised the blankets and let her climb inside. I then shut off all the lights and locked the door. I was nervous about getting into bed with her. She was lying on her side, facing away from me. Cautiously, I lifted the blanket and climbed into bed.
Instantly, she stiffened. Which made me feel like complete shit. It crushed me so completely. I turned on my side as well and stared at her. She was on the edge of the bed, and I laid as close to the edge on my side.
I stared at her until I could see her breathing. It wasn’t relaxing. She was still awake. I decided to try touching her. I needed to feel her. I had missed her body wrapped in mine so much. It nearly killed me having to sleep alone.
I moved closer, and finally, I put my arms around her. She stiffened so hard I started to pull away but then stopped. I decided I would wait for her to speak. I shifted closer, trying to snuggle my face in her hair. I inhaled deeply and sighed. Finally, she shifted so much that she was completely out of my arms.
“I just— I can’t. Desi, please. I know it was the candy and not you, but— let’s just— not,” she finally said, brushing my arms away. I moved away fast, as if she had slapped me rather than gently moving me off her. It was devastating. She couldn’t even bear to let me hold her.
If I couldn’t even hug her, kiss her, or soothe her when she cried, how would we manage to spend eternity together?
The answer was simple but soul-crushing.
We wouldn’t.
30
Ginata: My people are here to collect Scout. Let her go, and I’ll let you leave without issue.
I squinted at my screen. It was still dark in the room. Scout was sleeping lightly on the other side of the bed, but my phone vibrating by my head woke me.
What the hell did that mean?
Without any issue.
Since when was I an issue? Had she turned her back on the Seven Sins? Did Corrine know?
I climbed out of bed carefully. Scout was so relaxed. I didn’t want to wake her. The look she gave me when she was awake stung my very core.
I glanced at the time. The sun was down. I could roam freely. I changed as quietly as I could into jeans and my boots. They were still sopping wet from the swim Scout and I had taken the night before. I grimaced as I forced my feet down into them. My socks instantly soaked through.
I glanced behind me at her before I went to the door. Ginata and I were going to settle whatever the fuck this was once and for all. Sin to Sin. No sooner had I stepped out the door was I greeted by two large Bloodsheds waiting for me. I ran into one of them with a hard thud. The door closed behind me, leaving me stuck between him and the door.
“We’re here for the Young Blood Priestess.”
“The what? Scout?” It took me a minute to process what they were saying. “Don’t call her that.”
“That’s what the High Priestess has decided she shall be called. Where is she?”
“She’s sleeping,” I said sharply. “You really want to wake up a Goddess in training?” I rolled my eyes and raised my hands up to shove them back. The one directly in front of me took a step away from me. Both seemed to consider what I had said.
“We will wait then.” One of them decided.
“Who sent you, Ginata?” I demanded. They didn’t answer. “Go tell her I want to see her face. She’s a fucking coward if she doesn’t come for me herself.”
