Alec’s

I went about my morning routine in a daze, my mind buzzing with questions that

refused to quiet down no matter how hard I tried. All I wanted was the damn

answers to my questions and yet I got nothing.

How is it possible for two sisters to drift so far apart that they'd willingly try to kill

each other?

I don't have a sibling, obviously. My adoptive parents never had a child of their

own and they never adopted anyone else after me. But still, even if I did have a

sibling, I can't imagine ever hurting them, let alone killing them.

That kind of hatred the kind that runs deep enough to want a loved one's blood

is foreign to me. It feels like something that only happens in books and movies,

but not in real life. And yet... here we are, so I guess it does happen.

After showering and changing, I linger in my room for a little while, just so I can

get my brain functioning. Just so I can focus on the day and not on the questions

that are eating away at me.

I get on my bed and fold my legs beneath me, settling into a cross-legged

position. I close my eyes, hands resting lightly on my thighs. I honestly never

understood how people manage to meditate on hard surfaces, like floors. I've

tried it and it's just not for me. If I'm going to sit still with my thoughts, I'd rather do

it somewhere comfortable.

Taking a slow, deep breath, I try calming my thoughts. I need to be clearheaded

and composed. Raven could show up any time, maybe she is already here. I

need my mind to be clear before we have a conversation about what she found

out.

I let my thoughts wander. I don't try to pause or stop them. Just let them flow; let

them scatter in whatever direction.noveldrama

I am almost grounded. Almost centered, when I feel her presence stir in the back

of my head.

"Nyx?" I call out softly, my voice threaded with hope, praying that she won't shut

me out this time.

This wouldn't be the first time she has done something like that. I would

sometimes feel her, but when I reached out, she'd shut me out.

For a long, painful moment there is silence, and my heart tightens in

disappointment.

I am just about to open my eyes and stand when her soft voice reaches me.

"Yes"

Relief surges through me in waves.

"Where have you been?" I ask her, glad that this time she answered me and didn't

ignore me. "You disappeared on me."

"Around"

I pause, trying not to be irritated. I push past her vague answer and focus on what

I really wanted to hear from her.

"Can we talk?"

"We are talking."

Damn it. I love her, I really do, but sometimes I just want to strangle her.

"Can you not be so bitchy?" I snap, frustration leaking through.

"What?" She says lazily. "You asked a question. I answered. There was nothing

bitchy about it."

I want to argue with her so badly, but

I bite down that urge. This isn't the

time and I could always deal with

her sassy attitude later.

"That's not what I mean and you know it," I grit out. "Anyway, how are you

feeling?"

There is a beat of silence before she answers.

"Great." She says quietly. "I've never felt better."

And she means it. It is in her voice. She isn't being sarcastic or anything like that.

She is actually telling the truth.

"I'm happy to hear that," I tell her softly, letting my own happiness mirror hers. "Is it

because of Knox?"

I am genuinely curious. Alec and

Knox had done so much for us these

past couple of days. I know some

would argue that it was expected of

them since we are their mates, but

how many people do things just

because they are expected to do it?

"Yes," she says, almost reluctantly.

"The way he took care of me... it was

something else. He was so gentle,

so understanding and so caring. I

loved being with him. It was more

than I could have hoped for."