Page 79 of Twisted Fate

“Ahh,” he murmurs, refusing to confirm my suspicion.

“Why didn’t you tell me you went back?” I push.

“You didn’t need to know, Rory.”

“Right. God forbid I think positively of you.”

He chuckles. “I didn’t do it for you,” he says in a soft tone.

I smile. “No, of course not.” I tip my head back and whisper, “Thank you.”

He kisses the spot right below my ear. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

I press my lips together, debating whether I should go through with what I’m about to say. “I saw your dream,” I blurt. “I mean, I was in it, like you’re in mine now. Except you didn’t know I was there.”

He shifts, peering down at me with a shocked expression. “Youwhat?”

Swallowing, I say, “I don’t know how it happened. It was that first night you did it. You left my dream, and then when I fell asleep later on, I somehow entered yours.”

He frowns. “That’s unusual.”

“Random fae magic?” I offer.

He chuckles, but it holds no amusement this time. “Random fae magic sounds about right.”

“It only happened that one time.” I don’t want him to think I’ve been snooping through his dreams, especially since he’s stayed out of mine.

He shakes his head. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” he murmurs, and covers my hand with his.

I shake my head, wanting him to know he has no reason to apologize. I run my finger along the collar of his shirt. “I’m sorryyouhad to see that.”

We lie together in silence for a while after that. I didn’t know it was possible to fall asleep during a dream, but I find my eyes drifting the longer I stare at the flickering flames in the fireplace, basking in the warmth it’s radiating.

“You know,” I mumble, sleep tugging at me. “I think I’m falling for you.”

Tristan exhales, his breath stirring the hair at my temple. He brushes his lips against the skin beside my eyebrow, and I close my eyes.

Before he can say anything, the scene fades away, and I’m staring at my mom’s frantic face as she shakes me awake.

“Get up, honey,” she says. “We have to go to the hospital.”

The silence is deafening. From the time we leave the house to the moment we step off the elevator on the pediatric floor, none of us says a word. I don’t need fae abilities to feel the terror we’re all experiencing.

We round the corner, and the moment I see the crowd of hospital staff surrounding Adam’s door, I freeze. My heart stops. Everything. Just. Stops.

We all move at once, sprinting toward his room, pushing through the nurses and doctors. Mom’s scream tears through the room, and once I manage to squeeze past a nurse, my hand flies to my mouth, and my legs wobble, no longer wanting to fight to hold me upright. I stumble back against the wall and stay there, unable to take my eyes off the mop of curls on Adam’s head.

Dad grabs Mom, crying as he tries to pull her away from the bed.No.Please, no. This can’t be happening. He was getting better. This isn’t—

A young doctor steps forward and faces my parents. “We tried to revive him for as long as we could, but his heart wouldn’t restart. His body wasn’t strong enough to fight off the pneumonia. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

My mom chokes on a sob, and Dad catches her before she collapses. “How did this happen? Where is Dr. Collins?” he demands.

“She was called away for an emergency out of town. We’ve notified her. Take as much time as you need, there’s no rush. Please let us know if you need anything.”

I shake my head, a faint ringing in my ears. “This isn’t happening.” My hand raises slowly and covers my mouth, my fingers shaking against my skin. Dr. Collins leaves town the night my brother loses his battle.Oh my god.Is Adam’s doctor light fae—theleader?There was always something I didn’t trust about her. What if...No. The light fae would have no reason to go after my family.Would they?I can’t think about this right now.

The doctors and nurses file out of the room, and I stand, staring at the wall, forced to listen as my parents sob over the death of their son, knowing there was nothing they could do to make him better. They pull me into a hug, and the three of us hold each other up as we cry for the loss of Adam.

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