Page 2 of Twisted Devotion

Aurora blinks and then laughs. “Right. Tris is great with him, but when it comes to bedtime, the kid just wants his mom.” She takes several sips of her coffee before sighing. “I am exhausted, though. I wish there was something I could do to boost my energy.” Her eyes light up. “Maybe I need a workout routine. Are you taking on clients at the gym? I know it’s supposed to be fae-exclusive, but I’d love to work with you.”

I bite my lip, badly wishing I could lie. One of the pitfalls of being fae. “I’m not taking new clients,” I tell her, quickly shifting my gaze to Allison before I lose my nerve. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you guys about.”

Allison snorts and says, “I’m not looking for a trainer, Kels. I prefer to do my workouts horizontally.”

I cringe, dreading what I’m about to say. The last thing I want to do is hurt my friends. “I’m leaving Rockdale.”

That wipes the amusement clear off Allison’s face, and the usually bright and bubbly emotion swirling around her dims. I’ve been fae for a little over five years and I don’t think I’ll ever get used toseeinghow people feel. The whole colored aura thing is still weird to me, especially while walking down a crowded street. I’ve gotten pretty good at tuning it out, but when my own emotions are high, it’s rather challenging.

“Wait, what?” Allison shakes her head. “I don’t understand. Why?”

“I want to travel,” I tell her, and it’s the truth. At least, it’s part of it. Bouncing around North America during the battle, while stressful and somber, was an experience. One I’d like to now have without the pressures of war.

“When are you leaving?” Aurora asks softly.

Pressing my lips together, my gaze shifts between them. “Tomorrow.”

Allison’s eyes go wide. “Why am I just finding out about this now?”

My knee bounces rapidly under the table. “I . . . I didn’t know how to tell you. You’ve become a real friend to me, and—”

“And now you’re just going toleave?” Her tone is harsh; the sound makes my chest ache with regret. “And how the hell can you afford to? I’m sure you’ve made decent money with your training gig, but living in Rockdale is expensive.”

“Allison,” Aurora warns gently.

“It’s okay,” I cut in, my bottom lip trembling—because she’s right. I don’t have a lot of savings—just enough to get me started somewhere new. Hopefully. I’ve never been motivated by money; in fact, it’s left a stain on my life in the past, but I sure wish I had an abundance of it now.

“Are you leaving for good?” Sadness splashes the colors surrounding Allison; dark purple hues overpowering her usual bright ones.

I let out a heavy breath. “I’m not sure yet, Al. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to upset you.” Tears burn the backs of my eyes. I don’t want to leave on bad terms.

She shrugs. “It’s your life. You get to do whatever you want, just like the rest of us. I guess I just didn’t expect you to take off after everything we’ve all been through.”

“I need this,” I all but whisper. Growing up in foster care makes finding ahome—or a place that feels like it—nearly impossible. It took me nearly eighteen years to find that, and it was ripped away from me in a matter of one horrific night.

The same night Tristan saved my life and I became fae.

Now, my heart longs for more. It’s being called somewhere. I need to follow that call and find out where. Hell, maybe I’ll come across Seth along the way.

“Okay,” Allison finally says, and her eyes flick between mine.

Where hers are a soft hazel, mine are a vibrant green. We could never be mistaken for each other, not like her and Aurora have been.

I open my mouth to respond, but Allison quickly adds, “You sure as shit better keep in touch.”

I offer a small smile. “Of course.” I’d never cut her out of my life, no matter where I end up. During the battle, I became close to her and Skylar. I guess that’s what happens when you’re fighting for your life.

Peeking over at Aurora, I blink at her wary expression. “What?”

“Have you told Tristan you’re leaving? Or Nikolai?”

My brows rise. “Uh, no. I didn’t think I needed permission.”

Tristan and Nikolai have become brothers to me since I changed. Saying goodbye to them face-to-face . . . it would be too hard. Which is why, when I decided to leave—over a week ago—I wrote letters to explain my impending departure. I’d never want Tristan to think I was ungrateful for him giving me another chance at life.

“You don’t,” Aurora assures me. “You just . . . I think you should talk to them before you leave town.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “What are you not saying?”

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