Page 8 of Fated to Her

“Cyrus said it’s called heat?” she asks.

“Yes,” I tell her, pressing the back of my hand to Addie’s head to feel her burning up again. She stops shaking, and Debbie stares at her daughter. The trembling starts again as soon as I move my hand off her.

“Can’t you stay with her? She hardly sleeps. I hear her in the shower and pacing the house all the time,” she says worriedly.

“She might be angry if she wakes up with us here,” I tell her.

“I get up before her. I can wake you before she gets up.” Debbie sounds desperate, making me wonder exactly how badly she has been suffering.

“Please. Maybe if she gets decent sleep, she will get better.”

I look at Cyrus, who shrugs, leaving me to decide. I nod, climbing into bed with her.

“I will wake you when I get up for work,” she says.

“Make sure you do, or I’m blaming you,” I tell her.

She chuckles, walking out and shutting the door.

Cyrus carefully lifts her and places her on my chest before lying next to me. My body relaxes, and she moves, sprawling across me like a lizard sunning itself on a rock, a content noise coming from her as she sleeps peacefully, her breathing evening right out.

Chapter 3

• Adeline •

Waking, I’m surprised to find myself in my bed. For the first time in ages, I feel like I’ve actually slept soundly. I didn’t wake up once during the night. Though the heat is still there, it is a little more bearable today.

I’m even more surprised that Eli kept his word and took me home even while I was asleep. Getting up, I quickly pick my clothes and race to the bathroom to shower and do my make-up. Hearing Taylor’s voice when she sings out to Maya sends shock waves through me, forcing the events of yesterday to resurface.

Taylor comes in, dabbing foundation on her face.. “You look better today,” she comments.

I stare at her. She really has no memory of yesterday. I know it shouldn’t shock me because Cyrus has done it before but knowing he is the only reason I’m not currently in jail makes it really hit home, showing how much influence vampire voodoo has over people.

“Yeah, I feel better,” I admit.

She applies her lipstick, then walks to the bathroom door, sticking her head out. “Maya, shoes and socks now. We are going to be late,” she yells down the hallway.

“I am,” Maya yells back at her, making me smirk at her tone.

We drop her off at school before stopping and getting coffee. Taylor orders Bella one, and I grab Eli and Cyrus theirs, seeing as I have no doubt they plan on sticking around just to annoy me.

I hold the cup trays while she drives, then passing them to her as I climb out of the car and taking one of them off her. I follow her inside, only to stop in the foyer, staring at the floor where Troy’s body had been lying saturated in blood.

“Addie?”

I stare at the floor.

“Addie?”

My hands go clammy, and a bead of sweat runs down my neck, the look of his smashed face haunting my vision.

Then a hand touches my lower back. “Your sister is speaking to you,” comes Cyrus’s voice next to my ear, and I look up.

“You okay? You zoned out. I was calling your name.”

Bella moves around the desk and takes a seat.

“First time I’ve seen Troy late,” says Bella, looking around for him.