Page 12 of Twisted Fate

I cringe. “No, that’s not what I meant.”

“I’m sad I missed your walk of shame,” she teases.

I frown. “Thanks.”

“Are you hungover?” she asks.

I wish that’s what this was.“No. I’m fine.”

“You look like you need some strong coffee.” Her eyes flick across my face. “Dark circles for days.”

“I’m fine.” Okay, now Iamlying. To my best friend. To her face.

“Okay then,” she mumbles.

I run my fingers through my hair. “I’m—”

“What the heck is that?” she cuts me off, her eyes wide.

I shake my head. “What is what?” I follow her gaze down to my wrist, and my mouth goes dry. The stone in the bracelet Tristan gave me, the charm supposedly designed to detect fae, is pulsing with light.

Allison staggers back, but her eyes stay locked on the bracelet. As if waking from a trance, her wide hazel eyes find mine. “Aurora, where did you get that?”

This can’t be happening. Not after all the shit I went through. This isnothappening. Maybe it’s a trick of the light.

“Where did you get that bracelet?” she asks again.

I shake my head. “Um . . .” I shift my arm behind my back as I debate lying. Honestly, I wish I could climb my ass out the window, but I don’t think I’ll fit. That, and we’re not on the ground floor.

Allison’s face is a mask. “Where did you get it?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. “He’s looking for you.”

Allison pushes past me like I’m a piece of furniture, letting loose a string of expletives. As if remembering the source of her fear, she grabs my arm and rips the bracelet off. It hits the floor with little sound. Gritting her teeth, Allison lifts her foot and brings it down. Over and over. Until the charm is no longer illuminated.

“How the hell did you meet him?” she demands in between shallow breaths.

“Some guy at the party thought I was you, so he knocked me out and brought me tohim,” I answer in a quiet voice. “Oh god . . . It’s true?” I shove my hand into my pocket and pull out the folded photo Tristan gave me. I open it, and the familiar face staring back at me knocks the breath out of my lungs.

Allison stands in front of me, brows furrowed as if she’s trying to come up with an answer. Abruptly, she rushes around, grabbing clothing, books, and anything else she can get her hands on. “I have to get out of here.” She throws things into a suitcase, not looking my way once.

I watch her, unable to find words.This is Allison, I tell myself. My roommate. My best friend. The person who busts my ass during exams and lifts me up at the same time. I have no idea how to feel. “You—the fae—they’rereal?”

She nods, her lips pressed into a tight line.

My jaw clenches. “Why is Tristan looking for you?”

Allison grabs my hands and holds them, ignoring my question. “Leave with me.” Her plea is desperate.

“What? I can’t!” I pull my hands away from hers. “I need to finish school and get my degree. I have a life, a normal freaking life despite everything I’ve seen and learned in the last twelve hours!” I shake my head to clear it and take a step back. Allison stands there with an unsure look on her face. She turns away without a word and wrestles a dress from its hanger. Her knuckles are white; her grip is sure.

Allison’s voice is rough with unshed tears. “I never wanted you to find out what I am. You didn’t need to know. It isn’t safe.”

“Safe? Tristan told me my ancestors were fae. Now I find out you are too, and you’re on the run from him. All of a sudden you’re worried aboutsafe?”

She freezes. “Wait, you’re part of a fae bloodline?” Something like recognition passes over her face. “That’s why—I’ve always sensedsomethingon you, but I never knew what, and I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. It was clear you didn’t know or you would’ve known about me, so I ignored it.”

My eyes widen, and my forehead creases. “I have no idea what’s going on right now! I just found out about the fae!”

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