Page 116 of Cruel Destinies

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“Here you are!” I said when I finally tracked down my girlfriend.

It was past dinner when I returned to the Dome. It was nearly lights-out when I finally found Arya hiding in Ashlyn’s room.

“Hey, where have you been?” Arya asked, concerned curiosity furrowing her brow. “I was looking for you before dinner.”

“Sorry, I had some last minute research to catch up on,” I said.

“Um, but the new semester hasn’t started yet,” Ashlyn pointed out with a questioning lilt in her tone.

“It’s a family thing,” I interjected, shaking my head. It wasn’t a lie. “Anyway, do you mind if I steal my girlfriend for the night?”

Ashlyn shrugged. “Would it matter if I said no?”

Arya chuckled and got up from Ashlyn’s bed. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She took my outstretched hand, and we exited into the hall together. She headed toward my room, but I stopped her with a tug on her hand.

“I thought we could stay in your room tonight,” I said. “Your bed is more comfortable than mine.”

She arched an eyebrow at me but didn’t argue as I led her in the opposite direction.

“So what do you want to do tonight?” she asked once we were in her room. “I think I need a break from sex after last night. You were kind of an animal.”

She giggled, making the memory of how I’d ravaged her flood to the surface of my thoughts.

I eyed the tablet sitting in the middle of her bed, wondering how I could get to it without telling her the actual reason I wanted it.

“I, uh…” I scrambled, unable to think clearly between my desire for her and my current mission.

C’mon, Tobias. Tell her you need the internet. To check your email.

“How about we just watch a movie and cuddle?” she suggested.

I let out a resigned sigh. Why couldn’t I just say it? “Sure.”

“Want popcorn?” she asked.

I nodded with more enthusiasm than necessary. And not just because I had skipped dinner looking for her. My stomach rumbled audibly to sell the enthusiasm.

“Or a sandwich?” She twisted her mouth in a teasing way.

“Both. Please.” I shrugged. “I missed dinner.”

“Great. I’ll be right back,” she said, heading for the door. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“Actually, could I use your tablet a minute?” I asked, praising whatever gods dropped this window of opportunity right into my lap.

“Of course!” she said, but then waved a finger at me. “Just don’t use it to look up porn or anything.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Not even on my radar.”

“Good.” She spun on her heel and left me alone in her room.

I snatched up her tablet and located her email icon.

I quickly located Shea’s email and clicked the button to draft a message. Normally, I would avoid a witch like the plagues of the earth they were, but if a witch laid the miserable curse on my family...then maybe a witch could remove it—especially a Le Fey witch.

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