Page 18 of Bonded Ever After

“We should go,” Callum says.

The thing is, I have more questions than answers. I thought seeing this place would put all the puzzle pieces into place, but instead I just seem to have been thrown a whole box of center pieces. Still, he’s right. We won’t learn anymore just by staring around.

I glance at Veric. “We’ll talk another time?”

He nods his head.

We all head back down the stairs and slip out the side door into the alley. One at a time, we weave back into the crowds of people and go our separate ways. But as I head home, I feel like I’m being haunted by something dark and twisted. Whatever ghost that killed my mother.

EIGHT

Elora

I clutch the phone in my hand, brushing away tears as Beva continues to talk excitedly. My gaze goes outside my bedroom window to the early morning sky, and I try not to wallow in my sadness.This is it. There’s no more time left. My best friend is leaving, and I’m never going to see her again.

“It’s amazing!” she exclaims. “Can you believe it? Tomorrow morning I’ll be leaving to my new college.”

Yes, I can believe it, because I love Beva.Selfishly, I feel like everything I love gets taken away, even though deep down I know this is what’s best for her. She has to go, and I have to support her in leaving.

“That’s wonderful,” I say, heart hammering.

“I just wish my parents were allowed to call and tell me what it’s like. I bet it’s amazing. I mean, if the drugs, violence, and war were that bad, they wouldn’t let us leave to study at the universities on the outside, right?”

“Right.” I try to sound chipper, even going so far as to force a smile, even though she can’t see me.

“And I reached out to Teth since he’s leaving too. His university is several hours away from mine, but we’re goingto make plans to talk and meet up, if we can, so I won’t be completely alone after my family leaves.”

I think of the silent guy who only seemed connected to Callum and Serrill. “Yeah, having a friend on the outside will be great.”

My thoughts go to Serrill and Teth. Callum and I had seen them kiss. I’d never heard of two guys kissing before. Rules are in place to say that such things are illegal, even though no one seems to care about that law. Now, I wonder if it’s more common than I know.

As long as Serrill’s happy, that’s all I care about. Happy, and safe.But if they are going to continue kissing until Teth leaves, they’ll have to be more careful about it. If anyone other than Callum and I see them… well, they’ll disappear.

“Do you have any idea when Teth is leaving?”

She laughs. “He’s actually going to be on the same flight as me. We’ll be having a layover in his city, then we’ll head to mine.”

My heart sinks.Callum must be so sad.We’re both losing our best friends tomorrow, at a time when we need them the most. But maybe it’s best that they’re going. The Council won’t be able to use them to hurt us if things go south.

“I’m really happy for you,” I say.

There’s a rush of breath over the line. “I wish I could be here for you. I know how much you need someone…”

“You’ll be here for me in spirit,” I tell her.

“I will be,” she says fiercely. “I’ll think about you every day and send good thoughts your way.”

“Anytime I need you, I’ll just remember that.”

She’s quiet for a long minute. “You’re going to do great, you know that right? You’re going to accomplish wonderful things and be great at everything you do.” At being a mom, but she doesn’t say that.

“I hope so.”

“I know so.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat. “So, should we have a celebration meal tonight with Teth to wish you good luck on your journey?”

“Yeah, an early dinner would be great, so I’m not too tired for my flight. I’ll set it up with Teth and text you the details.”

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