Page 62 of Roman

Charlotte cautiously placed her hand in his, and he gave it a formal shake, giving her another crooked smile.

“You must be an amazing woman.From what I saw yesterday, Roman is very smitten with you, reckless even.In all my years, I don’t think I have ever seen him like this.”He gave her another smile, this one dazzling her.

She almost fanned herself.My god, he must drive the ladies nuts.His smile was contagious, and she couldn’t help but grin back, her uneasy thoughts from earlier forgotten.“I am pretty smitten with him myself.”

Turel crossed his muscular arms over his chest, leaning his hip against the counter.“He must be extremely concerned about what is happening, what with Lucifer having his minions hunting for you.”

Charlotte’s heart sank again.Nothing was going to stop Lucifer and his demons from hunting her down.She had to figure out what she was going to do.“I think if I stay here, I’m selfishly putting you all at risk.But I don’t think Roman will let me leave.”She didn’t know why she was even talking to Turel about any of this, but the way his brow creased with concern and how he gave her a slight nod as if he understood what she was saying, made her feel comfortable.It also reminded her that she’d been alone since all this craziness began, with no one to vent to, to tell her concerns to.“What do you think?”she asked, frowning slightly as a hint of dizziness hit her, but she shook it off.

She found herself looking at Turel, craving a conversation, anything from anyone who might share her opinion on what to do.She couldn’t tell Roman her thoughts.Hell, he’d probably freak out and lock her back up in his dungeon.Maalik was out.Being Roman’s brother, he was Team Roman, for sure.He can’t be trusted,she thought with a frown.She didn’t think she could ask Grigori to help, and Armaros was out of the question.Everyone was too loyal to Roman.

“I think Roman is too close to the situation.When it comes to you, I don’t think he will think rationally or make the right choice,” Turel said the last words deliberately, slowly watching her for her reaction.

Maybe he could help,she thought, a flutter of hope filling her.The way Turel had carefully worded his sentence and watched her reaction gave her a little confidence boost.The fact that no one else was around helped as well.She shook her head again, feeling a little foggy.The overwhelming feeling she could trust Turel flooded her.

“How do you think it will all play out?”she asked nervously.

“I think the end is inevitable,” he told her, unfolding his arms and taking a small step closer to her, quickly eyeing the door.

He’s making sure we’re alone.He could be what I’m looking for.Her mind raced.If Turel could help her follow through with her plan, even by helping her get out of the mansion without Roman knowing, she just might pull it off.

“What do you mean?”

He paused for a moment, stealing another look at the door.He took another step; she could practically feel his breath on her face as he leaned in close.“There is no escaping your destiny, Charlotte.I’m sorry, but I think someone wrote your destiny long ago, and no matter what Roman or any of the other fallen do, in the end, you will fall.I think the ritual will be done.You will die.”He spoke so softly he was almost whispering.She could tell by the way he kept glancing at the door, then back at her with his golden eyes, that he was afraid someone might hear them.“I think Lucifer will rise and lay waste to this planet.”

Charlotte swallowed back the tears she could feel rising.Get it together.Now is not the time,she scolded herself.“I agree with you,” she whispered to him, terrified someone would hear her.

Turel’s eyes widened in surprise.He definitely wasn’t expecting that.

“I don’t want anyone to die for me, Turel.I don’t want to see people hurt, and I definitely don’t want the world to burn.If Lucifer gets out, millions of people will suffer and die.”Charlotte shook her head, feeling helpless.“I don’t want that.”

Turel looked at her, his eyes piercing deep into her soul.A feeling of calm slowly inched over her.He made her feel safe.I can trust him.She didn’t know how or why, but she knew she could.She had this overwhelming feeling inside her that he was the one.

“What is it you want, Charlotte?”he asked her, barely a whisper.

Charlotte broke eye contact, looking down at her hands nervously, and realized they were shaking.What if someone heard us?What if Roman finds out?she thought, feeling groggy.She panicked, fear taking hold as she clasped her hands together, trying to stop the shaking.

“Charlotte?”Turel whispered harshly.

She snapped her eyes back to his, getting lost for a second in the deep amber of his gaze.

“What is it you want?”he asked again.

His voice calmed her, the fear ebbing away.Once again, Charlotte felt safe with him, a sense of trust flooding her, hope for what she had planned.Charlotte released her hands, balling them into fists, trying to brush off the sluggish feeling in her mind.You can do this, Charlotte.It’s now or never.“I want you to help me.I want you to help me get out of here without Roman knowing, and I want you to help me…” She trailed off, looking nervously around the room.

Was this the right thing to do?She didn’t know him, so how did she know she could trust Turel?An image of Roman lying peacefully in bed popped into her mind.How could she leave him?Tears crept up, and she could feel one escaping, slowly falling down her cheek.

“Help you what?”Turel’s voice cut through her thoughts, Roman’s image vanishing, replaced by Turel’s piercing gaze.

You can trust him.“I want you to help me… kill myself,” she whispered, so low she wasn’t even sure he could hear her.

The corner of his mouth twitched ever so slightly, but his expression never faltered.He gave a slight nod, verifying he’d heard her whispered words.This was it.She had just organized her death.She had decided to go out on her terms, not some stupid prophecy that had been written by God knew who however many years ago.Not Lucifer’s, not anyone’s but her own.

“Meet me in half an hour outside by the pool.Tell Roman you’re going for a swim, whatever you need to do to get him to leave you alone for some time.We need just enough time to get out the front to my car, do you understand?”he asked her, gently grabbing her shoulders.“This will be your only chance, Charlotte.”

Charlotte stared at Turel for a moment.Could she really look Roman in the eyes and lie to him again, knowing it would be the last time they saw each other?

You have to do this,she told herself sternly.There was no other way—it had to be done.She couldn’t let Lucifer get out.Charlotte nodded.“I understand.”

---