Page 15 of Twisted Fate

“Accept what I’ve offered and your friend could have the chance at immediate freedom. Her indiscretions will be forgiven, and she may remain where she wishes.”

“You think I’m going to agree to something like this? On the off chance you find her before I do, I’ve not only sealed her fate to whatever you choose but my own as well? You’re insane.”

“And yet you’ve made a deal with me once before.”

“I didn’t have a choice,” I remind him in a sharp tone.

“Look at it this way. You can accept this, or I can use you to get to her.”

“Why does it matter so much?” I snap. “What did she do?”

“Consider it privileged information.”

“You don’t think spending time with you makes me privileged? I’m shocked.”

“I do enjoy your wit,” he says, “but you have a choice to make.”

I scowl. “Unbelievable. You want me to entertain you.”

“Immortality can get a little dull at times. I like to keep things interesting.”

The way I see it, my options are limited. If I don’t take his deal, I can’t be sure what will happen to me, but if I do and he finds Allison before I can...I amnothaving dinner with him.

“I’m going to find her,” I repeat.

His eyes hold a challenge in their dark blue depths as he watches me. “So, we have a deal?”

“Fine,” I say through gritted teeth. “Now back off.”

He raises his hands in front of him in mock surrender and steps back a few paces. I’m out the door in a second without looking back as I race toward the dance floor. I have to find Allison. I need to make sure she’s safe. That, and if I don’t find her before Tristan does, my future—everything I’ve worked for—will be for nothing.

I’m less polite this time as I make my way through the crowd of gyrating bodies. More than once, I think I see her, but when I approach, it’s always a stranger. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. My palms sweat, and the fact that so much is at stake makes me frantic.

I catch the top of a blond head walking toward the back door, and I follow. My feet surge forward when I recognize the clothing on the girl.It’s her.I grab the back of her shirt, and she whips around with wide eyes.

“Aurora?” she shouts to be heard over the music.

“We have to go!” I yell. I may have found her first, but I’m not taking any chances. I’m not trusting Tristan to keep his word.

“How did you find me?” she asks.

“It doesn’t matter right now! He’s here. We need to go!”

She nods and reaches for my hand, pulling me through a mass of writhing dancers. I manage to squeeze between two people, cringing at the damp warmth of their bodies and push a few more out of my way. Finally, we make it out the door and stand in the parking lot around the back of the bar.

“Why did you come here?” I ask, trying to catch my breath.

“I was hoping my cousin could help. When I got here, he wouldn’t see me.”

“If he wouldn’t help, why are you still here?”

“I thought he’d come around. I tried to talk to him and get him to understand, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s too loyal to Tristan. After that, I figured it would be a good place to hide out until I could come up with a plan.”

“And did you?”

She sighs and slumps against the building. “I’m barely hanging on, Aurora.” She puts her hand to her head and groans. “I’m so scared. I didn’t think this would happen.”

“I understand, but we have to keep moving. Where’s your phone? Call Oliver.”

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