“Obsessed, I love it. Then that's what we focus on. Get the group chat started, positive vibes only, step by step. We're having it,” Greta declares, making me grin so wide my cheeks ache as Meadow wraps her arm around my shoulders.
“You're a force to be reckoned with, Greta,” my friend declares.
“Girl power isalwaysa force to be reckoned with. Now, let's figure out step one.” Her smile is infectious, filling me to the core as excitement blossoms inside of me.
Someone killed me for the second time, and although it happened a few days ago, I’m only just recalling it now. But even still, in the presence of these four, it’s impossible not to want to live and be joyous doing it.
What could possibly go wrong?
16
ARCHER
Ascream rips through the air, tearing me from the depths of sleep, and I jolt upright in bed.
My chest heaves as my gaze darts around my room.
It's draped in shadows, but I know I'm alone.
My eyebrows knit together as confusion takes root in my gut and my ears prick in search of the sound. When nothing comes, I can only assume it was my imagination, or a wayward dream fucking with me.
One glance at the time and I'm faced with the reality that barely an hour has passed since I finally managed to close my eyes. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I exhale, but it does nothing to ease the taut muscles bunched throughout my body.
The entire day became consumed with the revelations that followed the return of Ivy's memory.
Francesca.
Bonnie.
Odesa.
If I don't kill them, Baron will. Saxon and Teddy too.
We spent the rest of the day, while Ivy was enjoying girl time, whatever the fuck that is, dealing with this shit storm. Not thatwe achieved anything, because without her say so, nothing can happen, and my dumb ass vowed to listen to her.
I have regrets.
Who in their right mind bolts off for some girl time and makes everyone promise no harm will come to those who purposely killed her?
Ivy Hayworth, apparently.
Exhaling again, I flop back down on the bed, dragging my hand down my face as I will sleep to comfort me once more.
Today has been long, and after spending the prior night jealous that it was Baron lying beside her, I’ve barely had any sleep as it is.
Whatever The Fates thought they were doing by making me share my mate, I haven’t quite figured it out, but there’s no turning back now. We broke our promise and brought her here anyway, now I have to face the consequences, even if that means sharing.
I wonder what it’s like to live a normal day, without expectations or assumptions from others. I guess I’ll never find out.
Draping my arm over my eyes for good measure, I beckon the darkness to claim me, but another scream rips through the air, and I'm out of bed.
It wasn’t a figment of my imagination, and it’s definitely not a dream. A nightmare, maybe, but regardless, I’m darting toward the door in just my boxers, skidding out into the hallway before barreling through the door beside mine.
Ivy.
Her curtains are open, draping the room in moonlight, but she practically glows from the bed anyway, a hue of orange and gold dancing across her skin as she clutches her chest and whimpers.
I should have known it wasn’t a good idea to leave her on her own. There I go again, following her orders, only for them to kick me in the ass later.
