Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
I let out a chuckle. “I know. I felt the same way.”
Dylan frowns. “The same? You’re not one of them?”
“Oh, I am, but I was sent to Earth at sixteen and lived here for five years as one of you. I recently found out everything, and it was one hell of a shock to the system.” I smile at him. “So I understand how you feel.”
He nods at me then says, “You should eat.”
Right.
I take a bite of my sandwich and give Jason a grateful smile when he brings me a bottle of water.
“How are you holding up?” Jason murmurs, keeping his tone low.
“Better.”
His eyes meet mine. “Just let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
I glance at the other chosen ones, then turn my attention back to him again. “Just help me keep an eye on all of them, please.”
He nods, his gaze drifting to Sarah. “I will.”
“Especially her,” I whisper, hoping she’ll survive what’s to come.
As if Sarah can sense we’re talking about her, she looks our way then asks, “Are the clothes okay?”
“Yes. Thank you so much. How do you feel?”
“Better after I got my meds and some rest.”
My eyes drift over her pale face. “Just hold out a week. Okay? Once we’re back on Vaalbara, they’ll heal you.”
There’s no excitement or hope in her eyes that we’ll actually be able to heal her, and it chips away at my heart.
Honestly, I’m not even sure Aster and Janak can heal Sarah. But I seriously doubt Awo would choose her only to let her die on Vaalbara. It just doesn’t make sense, so I’m holding onto hope there’s a way they can cure Sarah.
“I’ll put your other clothes in the washing machine so they’re clean for tomorrow,” Brenna says.
“Thank you. I left them in the bathroom.” I give my sister a grateful smile before sinking my teeth into the sandwich again.
Doug picks up the remote control then says, “Let’s see what’s happening in the world.”
We all turn our attention to the TV screen, and I continue to eat as an announcer sits behind a desk with disasters flashing on a screen behind her.
“The west coast of the United States has been declared a dead zone. With millions fleeing to the borders of Canada, the Canadian government is doing its best to assist the survivors.”
I only manage to eat half the sandwich because when more images of disasters and dead bodies fill the screen behind the announcer, my appetite vanishes.
“Chile, Hawaii, Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the coast of India have all been struck by monster tsunamis caused by the San Andreas fault line earthquake, and the death toll is well into the hundreds of thousands if not millions.”
“God,” Sarah whimpers.
We all stare horrified at the TV.
Sky covers her mouth with her hands as a sob breaks free. “My family.”
Matt quickly wraps his arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry. We lost people, too.”
“All communications with those countries have been lost,” the announcer continues, “and there’s no possibility of sea rescue due to the ocean’s unstable manner.”
I feel grief pouring from my chosen ones. Flashes from the visions I had of the disasters bombard my mind, and the plate slips from my hand.
I hear the terrified screams.
I feel their heartbeats stopping one after the other.
I see the blood, the maimed body parts, and the horrific destruction.
“Switch it off,” Raighne orders before he frames my face, forcing me to look at him. “Focus on me.”
My lips part, and I inhale a shuddering breath while it feels like shadowy fingers creep over my mind, threatening to rob me of my sanity.
Raighne leans closer, and his warmth pours into me. “Just focus on me.”
I stare into his eyes as his presence soothes the darkness, calming the chaos that the visions and nightmares are causing in the deepest parts of my soul.
“Is she okay?” Jason asks.
I suck in deep breaths then nod. “I’m good.”
“Panic attack?” Matt asks. “I get those too.”
Sky pats Matt’s hand while giving me a worried look.
“Really, I’m fine,” I say to reassure everyone.
Just as Raighne crouches to pick up the plate and half-eaten sandwich I dropped, the air vibrates around us.
“What the fuck?” Dylan snaps.
“Raighne!” Finian hollars, and the next second, Ares appears with a woman’s hand gripping his throat.
Then the rest of Adeth materializes with Griffith and Roark trying to restrain her.
Ares lands on his back, and as he skids into one of the couches, I’m filled with horror.
No!
Ares slams his hand into Adeth’s chest, and it sends her flying through the air before she hits a wall while Roark and Griffith fall to the side.
“Help us,” Roark orders as he darts back to his feet.
Raighne instantly throws his arm out in Ares’ direction, using his power to keep him from moving.
“Ares is with us,” Griffith shouts.