Page 96 of Twisted Gift

“Why?” I ask.

Allison licks her fingers and spins around on her stool to look at us. “Because we need to talk to you about something.”

“I guess the honeymoon’s over,” Tristan comments.

“It doesn’t have to be,” Skylar says, sliding off her stool. “You have taken care of your people for as long as I can remember, Tristan. It’s time you letustake care ofyou.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, my pulse kicking up.

Nikolai stops at Skylar’s side and hands me a manila envelope. “Just hear us out, please.”

My brows tug together as I open it and pull out the contents. Passports and photo identification cards. “Nikolai...”

“Almost a week ago, the two of you started your life together. It’s time youreallygot to start that life.”

I flip open one of the passports and see my face, but it isn’t my name. I open the other and again see Tristan’s photo, but a different name.

“Very confused here, guys,” I say, glancing up from the passports to look at our friends.

Tristan puts his hand on my shoulder. “They want us to start over.”

My eyes widen. “Start over,how?” There’s an edge to my voice.

Allison answers, “The only way to make sure you’re safe is to give you new identities and erase your memories of the fae.”

I shake my head. “That’s impossible. What about the people who know us as us? What about my parents, Allison?”

She frowns. “This way is safer for them, too. We don’t know what The Experiment will do.”

“No,” I snap. “No way. They already lost one child. I willnotdo this to them.”

Tristan slides his fingers through mine. “Aurora—”

“I said no, Tristan.” My eyes shift between our friends. “What about all of you? Are you going to make us forget you?”

“That was the plan,” Skylar comments in a low voice.

“Not a good one,” I remark dryly. “I’m not doing this.” I look at Nikolai. “There has to be another way.”

“I don’t know—”

“Find one,” I demand. I’m being incredibly selfish. I should be grateful our friends are trying to give us the chance at a safe, happy life together. Their idea could work, but it’s what we’d be giving up that scares me, makes my blood run cold.

“You better check yourself, human,” Skylar snaps. “We’re doing thisfor you. You think this is something that wewantto do? It sure as hell is not. I’ve already lost one best friend because of The Experiment.” Her gaze shifts to Tristan, and her expression leaves me feeling gutted. “I don’t want to lose you, too, Tristan, but this is the only way.”

“What if we altered their memory temporarily?” Allison suggests. “Give them a chance at a normal, human life, and in the meantime, we can deal with The Experiment. Once everything is over, and it’s safe again, we can let them remember us.”

My eyes widen. “Is that even possible?”

Nikolai shrugs. “It might be. We wouldn’t know until we tried to reverse it. It would depend on how much time had passed, I would imagine. Tristan?”

“I’ve never heard of it being done, but I suppose it’s a possibility.” He turns to me. “I think we need to consider this, Rory.”

Panic clamps down on my chest, and my grip on his hand tightens. “I know.” My voice is tight and uneven. I take a deep breath and let it out.

. . . a normal, human life...

“This would be atemporarything, right? After The Experiment is no longer a threat, you’ll find us—bring us back here?”

---