Page 99 of Savage Torment

I hum, shrugging. Not in an attempt to downplay it, I know it’s insane, but so is my entire life. “It feels natural.”

“It looks like it too. Now you just need three more bite marks to complete the entire thing,” Minnie muses, and I shake myhead, dipping my chin to my chest in an attempt to hide my blush.

“Let’s hope there’s enough time in my day to make it happen,” I murmur, with a wink, and Minnie snickers before rising to her feet.

She dusts off her jeans before she holds out her hands for Bryony and me. “That got gross real quick. Ready to head to the Empire State Building? Then we can get some pizza on the way back.”

We don’t need to be asked twice. And even though it’s on the tip of my tongue to point out that she brought it up, I opt to keep my mouth shut.

Once again, the three of us take to the streets, existing among the charm that is New York City before Minnie is ushering us inside the entrance to the Empire State Building.

I wander around in amazement, unsure what’s really going on as we’re ushered into an elevator. My stomach feels like it’s been left behind as we go up, the feeling never ending, not even when the doors open.

Following Bryony and Minnie, I keep a step behind, giving them a moment to be together, hand in hand. As I turn the corner, I’m drawn away from them to the glass that wraps around the entire space. A breeze blows against my arms and I spot a door leading out onto a patio to my left. Before I can think about it, I’m outside, my hair blowing in every direction as I gape out at the skyline.

Everyone huddles together, taking photos, and I mumble my apologies as I make my way to the edge. You can see for miles up here, the view endless, and I can’t help but wonder how I’ve gone through life never knowing this existed.

Never.

It’s breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and bewildering all at once.

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes as I soak in the moment. With the wind ghosting around me, I feel like I’m flying since my stomach is still back on the ground floor.

Exhaling slowly, I pry my eyes open and spy an empty silver machine to my right. I’ve spotted a few people looking through the eye pieces and decide I want to have a try. I’m two steps away when a girl beats me to it.

“I’m so sorry,” she murmurs, smile widening nervously, and I shake my head.

“No, it’s fine. I can wait,” I breathe, a weird sensation rippling over my chest. Tingles zap down my arms as I take in her long brown hair and dainty features.

Features I’ve seen before, but that can’t be possible.

She steps back, waving a hand for me to take my turn before she saunters off into the crowd. I’m still gaping at her, locked in confusion, when Bryony appears at my side.

“Hey, are you going to have a look?” she asks as Minnie steps around her, beaming from ear to ear.

“Yeah, I just… I thought I recognized someone, but it can’t be possible,” I explain, and Bryony frowns.

“I mean this in the politest way possible, Polaris. But you don’t really know many people. If you recognize someone, I’m sure you do. Who was it?” she asks, and my eyes trail in the direction the girl had gone, but she’s no longer there.

Shaking my head, I try to let the weird feeling pass. “Honestly, it can’t be her. I think her name was Krystal? But, the only reason I know her name or what she looked like is because I literally had to maneuver from under her dead body at the blood kin assembly.”

31

BLAZE

“So my name has been called?”

“Yes.”

“Yours too?” He checks again for the hundredth time, and it takes everything in me not to lose my cool with him. I’m already a bundle of fucking stress. Dealing with his confusion isn’t at the top of my to-do list, but I’m holding it together.

“Yes.”

“AndPolaris.” I sigh, my stomach churning so hard it almost knocks me over.

“That's what I said,” I grunt, wiping a hand down my face, trying to hide my emotions more than anything.

“Are you worried?” he asks, and I finally glance at him.

---