Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 108376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“Oh my goodness, Darya, no, I would never.” Angela looked horrified.
I reached out and squeezed her hand. “I know you wouldn’t. I was being ridiculous. Anyway, that’s the only reason Peter told me about what’s been troubling you and how you’ve been keeping busy as a coping mechanism. He needed me to know my suspicions weren’t warranted.”
Angela swallowed, her eyes flicking to mine. “Right, I get it. My parents had me seeing a counsellor but we didn’t mesh very well. I’ve found a new one who I’ve started seeing and I like her much better. I’m hoping she’ll be able to help me sort through my issues. I know it’s going to take time though.”
“That’s good, but like I said, I’m always here if you need me.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind.” Her expression showed she was genuinely grateful and I was glad we’d gotten the chance to talk. I pulled her in for another hug and a few moments of quiet passed before I released her.
“Well, I better get going. I’ll see you at school,” I said, pressing the button on my keys to unlock my car.
“Yeah, see you at school,” Angela replied, waving me off.
I drove aimlessly for a little while, not wanting to go home. Then my phone started ringing, Mum’s name flashing on the screen. I hit ‘accept’ and put her on loud speaker.
“Darya, are you on your way back yet?”
“Not yet. I was going to stop by Grace’s for an hour. Is that okay? We haven’t had a chance to spend any time together.”
“Okay, well, text me when you get there,” she replied and I heard the worry in her voice. It was going to take a while for her to relax after the stress of me being in the prison.
“I will. See you when I get home. Love you.”
“Love you, too,” she replied before we ended the call.
The sky began to darken and I headed for Grace’s house. My uncle Gabriel answered the door and before I could even get a hello out he hauled me into his arms. “Darya, we’ve been worried sick about you. I’m so glad you’re home. Come in. I’ll put the kettle on.”
I followed him into the kitchen and sat by the counter.
“Is Grace awake yet?” I asked and he nodded, going out into the hallway to call up the stairs. “Gracie! Darya’s here.”
He returned to the kitchen and a second later Grace came down, her hair scruffy since she’d just woken up. Sometimes I was glad I was only part vampire because I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy being completely nocturnal.
“I was about to head over to your house. Becks said she’d help me with some homework I’ve been struggling with.”
“Oh, well, you can come back with me, then. I have my car outside.”
“Great!” she smiled, then gave me another hug. “I’m so happy you’re back. I missed you like crazy. We’ve all been worried sick. Do you know Becks staged a protest until your parents told her where you’d gone?”
I tilted my head. “What kind of protest?”
“She sat outside your house and refused to leave the front stoop until they told her the truth. Obviously, I was there to support her since I needed to know, too.”
“It went on for hours,” Gabriel added.
“Your mum finally took pity on Becks when she was going to have to resort to peeing behind the azalea bushes.”
At this, I chuckled. It was the first time I’d been genuinely amused by something in days. “Those bushes are only three feet high.”
“I know. I think that’s one of the reasons they gave in. Your parents didn’t want the neighbours catching their daughter urinating in public,” Grace said and this only made me laugh harder.
“They gave in because it was almost morning and you refused to leave Rebecca’s side. Nobody wanted you getting burned up by the sun,” Gabriel corrected before changing the subject. “How about some hazelnut cookies, Darya? Alvie made them a few days ago but if you pop them in the microwave for ten seconds they taste fresh out of the oven.”
“Sure,” I replied.
“How are you finding being back?” Gabriel continued, casting me an assessing glance as he poured me a cup of tea.
“It’s a bit weird,” I admitted, pulling at the sleeve of my hoodie. “Prison is so, so—”
“Prison-y?” Grace teased just as the microwave pinged and a smile tugged at my lips before I fake scowled at her. Gabriel removed the plate of cookies and set them down in front of me. The aroma alone was mouth-watering. I picked one up and took a bite, savouring the taste.
“There were no hazelnut cookies, let’s put it that way,” I finished, a hollow feeling in my chest as I thought of Vas. I just needed him to be okay but since he was currently in the clutches of Red Armand that was unlikely.