Page 213 of Drown My Sorrow

Auryn Raines, Kelly’s lovely cousin, lifts a hand to me as she disappears with Tyr Fate.

I’m a little bit impressed with her. Fate’s Choice are famous, but then Locke Raines, Kelly’s other cousin, is the elusive lead singer for Derision, or was before he retired.

We’re leaving tomorrow. Our plane will take us to the next island, and now that Ryn is safe and a world famous rockstar, we can all do so without feeling like we’ve left something undone.

“Hey!”

I turn my head to the left, taking in the man who approaches. Ginger hair, blue eyes, a friendly smile. He seems harmless enough.

“Hi.” I’m wondering if he’s about to hit on me. If he is, I’m going to need to let him down gently.

“I’m Eben.”

“Gael.”

Eben frowns. “I heard you guys are heading to Black Valley for the next leg of your competition?”

“We are,” I say cautiously, turning to face him more front on. I lean on the rail and take in the shifting of his eyes and the way he nervously clutches at his cocktail.

“Can you do me a favour?”

“A favour? I don’t know you.” I laugh at him, but he doesn’t laugh back. He’s serious. My laughter dies as I consider him.

“Look, I know. I sound crazy as fuck, but I need this favour. I really pissed off my brother, and I need him to forgive me.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Shale’s got some kind of temper, but I didn’t realise he was that serious about her.”

“About who?”

“This omega he’s been chasing for years. I tried to talk to her, but Shale lost it, and he said he’d kill me. Now, with most brothers, that might be a joke, but not with Shale. He was serious, plus he’s got Keagan and Beau, and those two also looked deadly.”

“What is the favour?” I ask, tired of his bizarre story already.

“I just…can you tell him I’m sorry and give him this?” He barks out a forced laugh. “I stole it from her, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t…I was just trying to protect him.”

And I completely understand that. I reach out and take the small card, expecting a business card. But it’s not. It’s an oracle card with a beautiful design and one word. It looks hand painted.

Daane? I search my memory, but I can’t even fathom what this word means.

Still, I shiver like someone has walked over my grave. What does it mean?

“I’ll pass on your message and give this back to her,” I murmur.

His face transforms, and he lets out a breath. “Thank you, Gael. Thank you so much.” He turns away but pauses and looks back. “Good luck.”

I nod my head, drawn back down to the three dancing devils on the card. Each one has a shadow that stretches larger than life behind them.

I get a chill staring down at it.

Daane. What does it mean?

And why does this card feel so much like something Noah would have given me?

Why does it feel like destiny?

PresentDay

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