Page 68 of Cruel Destinies

“Now that it’s confirmed that Arya Walker is indeed the siren of the prophecy, we no longer need you to acquaint yourself with her.”

I swallowed. I wasn’t sure I’d heard right.

Arthur walked toward the watercolor of the harpy and mer. “We have the information we need, and now it would be best if you no longer have contact.”

“Just like that?” I asked.

He turned back, his arms clasped behind him. “Just like that.” His eyes suggested he was not pleased with my response. “You were not thrilled with the assignment in the first place. I thought you would be happy to be relieved of it.”

“It’s just... I...”

“Listen to me, Tobias,” Arthur said, positioning himself in front of me so we were only a foot apart and nearly eye-to-eye. “The girl is dangerous. You almost got yourself killed when those vampires attacked, and they weren’t there to attack you. Being near her puts you in danger. I will not lose my son in such a wasteful and pointless manner.”

It shocked me more than warmed me to hear that my father cared whether I lived or died. It was obvious that he would—Arthur was not completely uncaring of his children. I just couldn’t remember ever hearing the words spoken aloud.

“You are released from seeing the girl. You will break your ties with her immediately.” His words were final. The syllables clipped to emphasize the point.

I felt my mouth turn dry. I couldn’t do what he was ordering. I’d be in more danger if I did. But I couldn’t tell him that. Hewould find some way to turn my imprint against me, make it my fault, accuse me of being weak because of it. So, I did the only thing I could do—I nodded obediently.

“And if things go according to plan, Arya will be leaving the Dome shortly.”

“Leaving?” Panic blazed through my chest—a white-hot fireball just beneath my ribcage.

“With me,” Arthur explained. “Leaving under my direction and protection.”

Just like that.

My every nerve-ending sizzled with horror and dread. Not only for myself, but for her. Arthur was a force no one could reckon with. Even if Caesar or Celeste were against the plan, I was certain he would find a way to have them overruled. There was nothing a seventeen-year-old student of the Dome could do to stop the inevitable. He would beat her into submission, take everything good and pure about her, and make it ugly and hardened.

He would take her away from me.

I couldn’t allow that to happen.

After a few more formalities, Arthur dismissed me, and we parted outside Ms. Tanis’s office in under five minutes.

Without seeing where I was going, or having a destination in mind, I half-stumbled, half-jogged down the hallway. I ran on pure instinct, tugging on that invisible tether that bonded me to her.

As if I’d conjured her from a dream, the dark-haired, heart-stopping wonder of a girl manifested herself in a secluded hallway, and all the anger and fear I’d been harboring dissolved.

She glowered at me when our eyes met, then kept walking toward the dorms.

“Wait, Arya,” I called. My voice sounded more normal than I expected. “Could we talk?”

She stopped but didn’t turn right away. Perhaps she was debating whether to allow the conversation?

Finally, she turned. Her blue eyes lifted to mine as I slowly approached, but I stopped just outside her invisible personal bubble. Giving her space.

“I’m sorry.” The words flew from my mouth.

She folded her arms. Her mouth pursed, and an eyebrow arched.

“I had no right to explode at you like that. You should be able to make your own choices.”

Her eyebrow relaxed. Her lips, too.

“Even if they’re stupid and reckless ones.” That flew out, too.

Her glower, which was more of a scowl now, returned. “Look, Tobias, whatever—”

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