Page 20 of Forsaken Devotion: Part 2
Hopefully, soon, I would have answers.
I rottedon Verity’s office couch for exactly two days. Forty-eight hours of staring at a plain ceiling fan. I would have remained there if I didn’t have to shower and get ready to go to the pub that Sheriff Stools frequented.
As risky as it was, I’d decided to bring Verity with me. I shouldn’t be going anywhere alone. At the very least, since she was human, she wouldn’t attract any shifter attention.
The couch creaked under my weight as I shifted to a sitting position. The blanket pooled around my waist. Various memories rifling through my head, and I couldn’t help but mourn who I’d been. The young girl who’d been excited about a new city, a university, and a new pack. I squeezed my eyes so tight it hurt.
It felt like a completely different reality. Itwasa different reality, and at this point, I didn’t know what Iwantedanymore. I was lost . . . I rubbed my fists into my grainy eyes.
Enough, I had to get up now before I never got up again.
Once I managed to muster the strength, I pushed to my feet and left the office, shuffling into the living room where Verity was sprawled, watching television.
“She lives!” Verity moaned.
“Barely,” I responded in the same tone.
“Are you ready to actually eat now?”
“I’m not hungry.” I hadn’t been, not even a little, and I wouldn’t have eaten anything the last two days if Verity hadn’t brought me green, healthy shakes every morning and evening. She wouldn’t leave me be until I sucked them down.
I plopped next to her on the living room couch. Silently, I watched the sitcom for a moment and built up the courage to bring up the conversation.
“So, do you remember when you asked about what I was involved with?” She pressed pause on her show and whipped to look at me. Her eyes glittered with excitement. She wanted the tea, but I wouldn’t be able to give her any.
“Yes.” She drew out the word.
“I need your help with something.”
“Yes,” she hissed. “I want in.”
“But,” I said, raising my voice. “You can’t ask too many questions. I’ll tell you some surface-level things, but if I stay silent on other aspects, don’t push me for answers.” She was almost vibrating with excitement. “Do you agree?”
She nodded hard, making her nose ring bob.
“Does this have something to do with your conviction?”
I straightened my shoulders.
“It does,” I croaked.
“I read up on your case. It seems off. Sorry, kid, but based on the records, you would have been behaving very differently if you’d been coming off long-term drug use.”
I’d read the docket, too. I knew it by heart, but before a few nights ago, I hadn’t known how utterly inflamed the charges had been. It was so obviously falsified.
“Kid?” I raised my eyebrows.
“I’m older than you; let me revel in my advanced age. Anyway, answer, does it have to do with it?”
“Yes.” I met her eyes directly. Hers flitted to the side, avoiding mine. It was instinctual. Even though she wasn’t a shifter, she still sensed my dominance. “I was framed.”
Her eyes thinned.
“Tell me everything you can.”
I swallowed hard, her words hitting me like a freight train. Her determination to help me was obvious, and it made it hard to get the words out. I cleared my throat and launched into explaining everything I could.
8
